Derry Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann hopefuls Mullingar bound

Three proud members of the city's Baile na gCailleach Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann craobh are gearing up to compete in Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

The iconic cultural event is taking place in Mullingar in County Westmeath this week and is expected to attract half a million visitors to the town, the birthplace of legendary showband singer Joe Dolan.

Travelling hopefully down the road are Daithí Ó Donghaile, Róise Ní Mhurchú, and Tommy Dunn. Tommy is competing in the newly composed song in English competition.

Tommy Dunn presented with the Gradam na hÉigse award for his service to Comhaltas by Seamus Brogan.

Tommy was also presented with the Gradam na hEigse award for his service to Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann and the promotion of Irish traditional song and music by Seamus Brogan. 

Daithí’s father, Fiachra said Daithí was extremely proud and excited to be through to represent, CCÉ Bhaile na gCailleach, Doire and Cúige Uladh in the comhrá competition (age 9 to 11).

Fiachra added: “Daithí recited ‘Cuimhní cinn 1993’ a poem composed by himself and myself in the comhrá competition.

“It is a poem about the victorious Doire team of 1993 and it urges the current crop of players to succeed again.

“Daithí answered questions about his family and his school and relished providing information on CCÉ and CLG.

“The slight nerves that Daithí has about the All Ireland are outweighed by pride and excitement. This pride is shared by his delighted grandparents. Daithí belongs to a second generation of children raised and educated through Irish in the city. His grandparents are ecstatic to see him blossom and develop such fluency and confidence,” said Fiachra.

Dylan McLaughlin, Daithí Ó Donghaile, Brendan Molloy (chairperson, CCÉ Baile na gCailleach), Aoibhe Nic Lochlainn and Ruiari White getting a presentation from the craobh before setting off for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Mullingar.

Daithí said: “Tá mé thar a bheith bródúil Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann a bhaint amach sa chéad bhliain dom páirt a ghlacadh. Tá mé ag dúil go mór leis an turas agus leis an taithí. Tá mé beagáinín neirbhíseach ach iontach tógtha.

"I am extremely proud to be through to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Mullingar. I was surprised and delighted when they announced my name because this is my first time competing. I am looking forward to the Journey down and to the experience. I am a little bit nervous but extremely excited."

A seasoned and successful Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann competitor, Róise Ní Mhurchú, is competing in the amhránaíocht ar an sean nós and it the lilting competitions in Mullingar.

Róise Ní Mhurchú is competing in the amhránaoícht ar an sean nós and in the lilting competition in Mullingar.

Róise said: “It was great to meet up with all my friends and meet new people at the Ulster Fleadh in Dromore.There was a great atmosphere around the town with lots of people and street sessions.

“I am looking forward to more craic agus ceol in Mullingar.”

CCÉ Baile na gCailleach, which is based in Studio 2 Arts Centre in the Skeoge area of Derry, did extremely well in this year’s fleadhanna.

At Fleadh Dhoire, which took place in Dungiven in May, seven members of CCÉ Baile na gCailleach won through to Fleadh Uladh in Dromore in County Tyrone. The Derry champions were: Daithí Ó Donghaile; Meidhbhín Ni Dhonghaile; Tommy Dunn; Dillion McLaughlin; Aoibhe Nic Lochlainn; Róise Ní Mhurchú; and Sophie McIntyre.