13. Banna Damer Ros Cre, Tiobraid Árann
This young band put on an impressive performance in a tough Junior Miscellaneous section at the Fleadh. This was this bands third attempt at competing at this competition and although they didn’t get placed this year, the youthful band are improving vastly with each year and with a bit more experience they will be competing for All Ireland titles in no time.
Scores;
Music – 6
Drums – 6
Drill – 6
Overall Performance – 6
Achievements in 2018 – 5
Total = 29
12. St Joseph’s Pipe Band, Glasdrumman, An Dún
This band made a welcomed return to the Fleadh this year after a long absence but they ultimately played second fiddle to their county Down neighbours who beat them three times this year. However they are still a really competitive pipe band and will be lifting All Ireland Trophies in no time.
Scores;
Music – 6
Drums – 7
Drill – 6
Overall Performance – 7
Achievements in 2018 – 5
Total = 30
11. Slí Dhála, CCÉ, Slí Dhála, Átha Cliath
This band from Dublin put on a good performance at the All Ireland this year, they did as well as could be expected by coming third place. The experience of the other two bands was very obvious in their whole performance when compared to the newer two bands. But starting up a new band takes time and patience and they will improve year on year if they keep at it.
Scores;
Music – 6
Drums – 7
Drill – 6
Overall Performance – 6
Achievements in 2018 – 6
Total = 31
10. Dublin Fire Brigade Marching Band, Átha Cliath
This band has won several All Ireland titles and will be dissappointed with their Fleadh result this year, although they cam second this was their first real test of the year and they only passed half of it, beating the Glassdrumman band but unable to beat the All Ireland champions of 2018 Longstone pipe band. This band will want to bounce back in 2019 and get back to winning ways.
Scores;
Music – 6
Drums – 7
Drill – 6
Overall Performance – 7
Achievements in 2018 – 7
Total = 32
9. K and S Accordion Band, Meath
This year they returned to the Fleadh competitions for the first time since 2015 and they had a largely successful year. They won the Meath Fleadh then the Leinster Fleadh qualifying them for the All Ireland Fleadh in Drogheda which they also won. So in terms of silverware K and S had done well however they did not come up against anyone in any of their competitions this year, so their level of performance could not be compared to any other bands.
Scores;
Music – 7
Drums – 7
Drill – 6
Overall Performance – 7
Achievements in 2018 – 8
Total = 35
8. Chloich Cheann Fhaola Junior Band, Donegal
In 2018 they won the Junior Miscellaneous section at the Cloughaneely indoor competition and they also won best band on the day. They did not do aswell in the Fleadh competitions this year losing out to Donegal Town in all three of them but they managed a second place in the All Ireland which is highly respectable.
Scores;
Music – 8
Drums – 7
Drill – 8
Overall Performance – 7
Achievements in 2018 – 7
Total = 36
5. St Josephs Pipe Band Longstone
This was a hugely successful year for the band winning the All Ireland title on their first return to the All Ireland since 2012. This year they were also County Down and Ulster Champions beating bands in all competitions which is no easy feat. They will want to retain their title in 2019 and make history with their first back to back All Ireland titles.
Scores;
Music – 7
Drums – 8
Drill – 7
Overall Performance – 7
Achievements in 2018 – 8
Total = 37
6. Ramelton Town Band, Donegal
In 2018 Ramelton entered the Senior Miscellaneous Fleadh competitions as usual hoping to regain their title which they had lost the previous year to Chloich Cheann Fhaola Senior Band after winning it for six consecutive years. They started off by wining the Donegal Fleadh, then competed in the Ulster Fleadh qualifying them for the All Ireland Fleadh, as Ulster Champions. Their successes of this year is represented in their positioning, but a band of this high standard with excellent music and drill should be placed higher. If they are successful in winning the All Ireland next year they could be even higher up this list.
Scores;
Music – 8
Drums – 7
Drill – 8
Overall Performance – 8
Achievements in 2018 – 7
Total = 38
5. Donegal Town Band, Donegal
This band had an amazing year, from the very start of the marching season they were on top form. They won the Donegal Junior Miscellaneous Fleadh in June, then triumphed at the Ulster Fleadh in Castlewellen and then the ultimate test for them the All Ireland Junior Miscellaneous Fleadh. This was a tough competition with four competitors but only one band stood out for their high-class of marching drill and musical performance, 2018 was the year for them to regain their title after losing for three years in a row. The last time they won they had held the trophy for three consecutive years, I wouldn`t imagine they’re gonna give it up easily in 2019.
Scores;
Music – 8
Drums – 7
Drill – 8
Overall Performance – 8
Achievements in 2018 – 9
Total = 40
4. Holy Cross Miscellaneous Band Atticall, Down
This band is part of the band known as Holy Cross Band Atticall. They used to just compete in junior and senior accordion competitions but in 2018 they expanded into the miscellaneous section. They competed in their first competition and won the County Down Fleadh, they then went on to win the Senior Miscellaneous competition at the Ulster Fleadh. They then entered the All Ireland Fleadh making history in the process by being the first band ever to enter two different senior competitions. They went into the competition not expecting much but they performed very well. However when the results were announced they were disappointed by the result Atticall 3rd. However I have no doubt Atticall Miscellaneous band will come back fighting, like they always do, next year.
Scores;
Music – 8
Drums – 9
Drill – 8
Overall Performance – 8
Achievements in 2018 – 8
Total = 41
3. Chloich Cheann Fhaola Senior Band, Donegal
This band was only formed in 2016 from members who had previously been in the junior band. They decided to enter the Fleadh competitions in 2017 and went on to win the All Ireland Senior Miscellaneous Title in 2018, beating off six in a row champions Ramelton Town Band. They returned in 2018 to defend their title, with having competed in only one minor competition since May there were question marks over their capabilities and their lack of competition practice in 2018. However they proved everyone wrong and put on one of the best marching and drill performances of the day. They successfully retained their All Ireland title. In 2019 I`d imagine they’ll continue their defence of the Senior Miscellaneous title and aim for their first three in a row.
Scores;
Music – 8
Drums – 8
Drill – 9
Overall Performance – 9
Achievements in 2018 – 9
Total = 43
2. Maghery Fife and Drum Band, Donegal
Maghery have been an extremely successful flute band in the last five years winning four consecutive Senior Flute All Ireland Titles most recently at the 2018 Fleadh Cheoil in Drogheda. . Since Easter Sunday 1958, the band have certainly proved to be amongst the best in the country and have kept their winning streak. In 2018 their Senior Competitive Band were the Easter Champions 2018 with a winning show that has gone viral online gaining 36,000 views in a week, it now has over 50,000 views. They won the Best Juniors at Dungloe’s Easter Sunday competition and won the Junior Flute competition at the Donegal Fleadh. The standard of all their performances is so high everything is perfect, they definitely have the best Marching and drill routine in Ireland at the minute, that’s why it was so close between them and the overall winners. I have no doubt Maghery will be back on this list next year again after winning their 5th consecutive All Ireland, I`d say the “Drive for Five” has already begun.
Scores ;
Music – 8
Drums – 8
Drill – 10
Overall Performance – 9
Achievements in 2018 – 9
Total = 44
1. Holy Cross Atticall Accordion Band, Down
So here we have it the overall winner, Holy Cross Atticall Accordion Band the best Fleadh band of 2018. So at this stage you’re wondering why I think their the best, well it’s for a number of reasons. They won the Senior Accordion All Ireland in 2018 and that was their third consecutive year in winning it. Their music alone would win them competitions never mind their outstanding drum and marching drill. The majority of the music they play is all composed by their very talented musical director and this is what differentiates them from other bands because they don’t have access to this unbelievable music. It’s amazing to think that ten years ago Atticall Band had only won their first and only Ulster Fleadh since 1974, now ten years later they’ve won six Senior Accordion All Ireland’s. I`d imagine next year they’ll be returning with their Senior Miscellaneous band to try to make more history and become the first band to ever win three different All Ireland Fleadh titles, they’ve currently won the Senior and Junior Accordion. It’s also truly remarkable that this band has entered into three different sections at the All Ireland Fleadh in the space of three years and succeeded in one section once and winning three in a row in another. That is why I believe they deserve to be number one in 2018.
Scores;
Music – 10
Drums – 9
Drill – 8
Overall Performance – 10
Achievements in 2018 – 9
Total = 46
