Dungloe Lad wins Under 18 Fiddle Competition at Ulster Fleadh
16 year old Neil Kennedy from Meenderryhirk, just outside Dungloe has won the Under 18 Fiddle competition at the Ulster Fleadh held in Dromore, County Tyrone on Saturday 23rd July after competing against 24 other talented young fiddle players from all over Ulster to lift the title.
At the end of a gruelling competition which lasted over three hours and saw each competitor playing three different tune types, Neil was announced as the winner of the competition and was presented with the Art O’Neill Memorial Cup. Previous to his Ulster success Neil had already picked up three trophies at the Donegal County Fleadh held in Letterkenny in May when he came first in the 15-18 Fiddle, Fiddle Slow Airs and Accompaniment competitions and his success in Ulster adds another trophy to the trophy cabinet.
This is Neil’s third success in major competitions in recent months. In June he competed in the inaugural Fiddles and Faeries international fiddle-playing competition and, after the competitors were whittled down to twelve finalists, Neil was announced as the winner and was awarded his prize of a certificate and 500 euros at an award ceremony held in Leo’s Tavern, Crolly. In January he took part in the international Fiddler of London competition and was selected as one of only 10 finalists from a large number of entries from countries such as Scotland, England, Ireland and as far away as Canada and the USA. The two judges who selected him as a finalist were flute player Mike McGoldrick and fiddle player Dezi Donnelly, both well-known and highly regarded names in the world of traditional Irish music.
As well as playing fiddle, Neil also plays guitar and piano. He is also a member of the Donegal Youth Orchestra and, as well as taking part in fiddle competitions, he is currently preparing for his Grade 8 RIAM (Royal Irish Academy of Music) piano exam later in the year.
Neil also regularly performs in Leo’s Tavern on Saturday evenings alongside another well-known Donegal musician, accordion and keyboard player Hughie Boyle, and together they entertain both locals and visitors, treating them to the very best traditional Irish music. He also plays with Meenacross CCE and their music can be enjoyed every Wednesday evening at 8.30pm in Ionad Templecrone during July and August.
Neil’s success in Ulster means he has now qualified for Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2022 which takes place in Mullingar from 31st July until 8th August and we wish him every success in the competition