Donegal delight at Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann

Falcarragh marching bands Banna Ceoil Cloich Cheann Fhaola and Buíon Cheoil Sinsear Chloich Cheann Fhaola and Glenties singer Sorcha Rodgers returned to Donegal with silverware this weekend.

Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann in Mullingar proved successful for Donegal competitors.

Banna Ceoil Cloich Cheann Fhaola and Buíon Cheoil Sinsear Chloich Cheann Fhaola were both crowned All-Ireland champion at the Fleadh, taking the junior and senior titles.

Sorcha Rodgers won on the double. Sorcha, who is the daughter of Philip Rodgers from Roddy’s Bar in Glenties, won the flute and the slow airs titles.

Banna Ceoil Cloich Cheann Fhaola

Their success follows that of 17-year-old Neil Kennedy from Dungloe, who won an All-Ireland medal in the Under-18 Accompaniment competition, having been placed second overall at the Fleadh Ceoil in Mullingar.

Neil's playing partner was Hughie Boyle, who proved that even in his seventies he is still able to compete with the best of them. He managed to impress not only his children but grandchildren and great-grandchildren.