Moate musician Audrey Ní Mhurcú has won the slow airs competition on the tin whistle for over 18s at this year’s All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Cavan on Saturday, August 18.
She also managed a very creditable second place in the whistle competition for the same age group in the Breffni capital.
Over the three days of the weekend 3,000 musicians competed in the 61st Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
It was estimated that around 300,000 people visited Cavan for the Fleadh, including a special visit by President Michael D Higgins.
The week leading up to the Fleadh included Scoil Éigse, which comprised a week of workshops and classes of Irish traditional music, song, and dance.
The Fleadh itself, one of the premier cultural events in Europe, is regarded as the biggest traditional music festival in the world.
This was the third year in a row the Fleadh had been held in Cavan, however next year it will be a little further north, as it is to be held in Derry from August 12-18 in 2013.
“Each year, the Fleadh provides a meeting place for those who carry on the great traditions of playing and cherishing our music, songs, and dance,” said president of Comhaltas Ceoltiri Éireann, Vince Jordan.
“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,” he said.
