BRITAIN’S traditional Irish music scene is in fine tune after a bumper medal haul at this year’s Fleadh Cheoil in Sligo.
Over 400,000 people joined in the celebrations in Ireland as competitions, concerts and sessions took centre stage in the Yeats county.
This year’s Fleadh attracted the highest visitor numbers to date, according to organisers who said there was a 30 per cent increase in attendance.
Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann president Ann Finnegan said: “This year’s competitors have taken the standard of Irish traditional music to a new level.
“It was delightful to see so many young people at the festival this year proving that the passion for traditional culture, song, dance and Irish language is as strong as ever.”
Fleadh Cheoil 2015 Chair Bartley Gavin added: “We thought that last year couldn’t be beaten, but in terms of community involvement, positive interaction with visitors, and huge numbers on the streets, it’s surpassed all our expectations.”
Over 250 events and more than 8,000 competitors took part in this year’s competitions, which took place last week.
Musicians and their families from Britain were among those from around the world who enjoyed the week-long festival of fun, with performers from Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and London among those who took home the silverware.
Ard Stiurthóir of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Labhrás Ó Murchú said: “Fleadh 2015 will rank as one of the great Fleadhanna of all time.
The Fleadh Cheoil brings to a close a memorable summer which saw Sligo take centre stage with a number of great events including the visit of Prince Charles and the Yeats 150 celebrations.
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2016 will be hosted by the town of Ennis in Co. Clare from August 14-21 next year.
Scroll down for the list of winners from Britain...
Orla FelceyFlute (12-15)
3rd - Orla Felcey, Tara O’Carolan, Manchester
Fiddle (12-15)
2nd - Breanna Wilson, Irish Minstrels, Glasgow
Piano Accordion (O18)
1st - Kevin Murphy, Irish Minstrels, Glasgow
Rory StarkWhistle (12-15)
1st - Rory Stark, St James the Great, Glasgow
Concertina (O18)
3rd - Brogan McAuliffe, East London
Duets (O18)
1st - Patricia McArdle, Roisin Anne Hughes, Irish Minstrels, Glasgow
Trios (O18)
2nd - Roisin Anne Hughes, Catriona McArdle, Patricia McArdle, Irish Minstrels, Glasgow
Calum McGregorPiano Accordion (U12)
2nd - Alex Morgan, East London
3rd - Calum McGregor, Irish Minstrels, Glasgow
Bodhrán (O18)
3rd - Niall Quinn, East London
Grúpaí Ceoil (U12)
2nd - Trasna Na dTonnta, East London
Joe Joe McCannFiddle Slow Airs (12-15)
3rd - Joe Joe McCann, East London
Flute Slow Airs (15-18)
3rd - Aaron Gallagher, West London
Whistle Slow Airs (12-15)
2nd - Olivia Whelehan, East London
Ciaran DoolinWhistling (O18)
2nd - Owen McFadden, North London
3rd - Ciaran Doolin, Liverpool
Lilting (O18)
2nd - Etaoin Rowe, West London
Duets (12-15)
2nd - Megan McLaughlin, Sarah Donaldson, Irish Minstrels, Glasgow
Colin MullinUilleann Pipes (15-18)
2nd - Colin Mullin, East London
Piano (O18)
3rd - David Browne, Irish Minstrels, Glasgow
Whistle Slow Airs (O18)
3rd - Brogan McAuliffe, East London
See More: All-Ireland, Britain, Comhaltas, Featured, Fleadh Cheoil
