This year the Fleadh Cheoil was held in Drogheda from the 12th to the 19th of August. The marching band competition took place on the last day at the Drogheda Institute of Technology. There are seven sections at the competition including accordion, flute and pipe, this year there was a great turnout of thirteen bands. After the bands competed there was a large parade that went the whole way into Drogheda town centre finishing at the Gig Rig. This article goes through each section providing analysis and listing the results.
Section 29F Junior Miscellaneous
1. Banna Damer Ros Cre, Tiobraid Árann
2. Donegal Town Community Band, Donegal Town
3. Chloich Ceann Fhaola Junior Band, Donegal
4. Slí Dhála, CCÉ, Slí Dhála, Átha Cliath
Review
This was one of the largest competitions of the day with four bands. However the level of the four competitors were quite different the two more experienced bands Donegal town and Cloich Cheann Fhaola were the only real challengers for 1st place. The other two bands although relatively new to the competition scene didn’t really stand a chance but over time they can learn from experience and improve.
Result:
1st Donegal Town Community Band, Donegal Town, Dhún na nGall
2nd Chloich Ceann Fhaola, CCÉ, Chloich Ceann Fhaola, Dhún na nGall
3rd Slí Dhála, CCÉ, Slí Dhála, Átha Cliath
Previous winner – Chloich Ceann Fhaola Junior, Donegal 2015, 2016, 2017
Section 27F – Junior Accordion
1. K and S Accordion Band, Meath
Review
There was only one competitor in this section but they performed well and showed a good range of music in their performance. This particular competition used to be highly competitive just a few years ago so it disappointing to see such a decline.
Result:
1st – K and S Accordion Band, Meath
Previous winner – no competitor in 2017
Section 28F – Junior Flute
No competitors this year
Section 30E Pipe Marching Bands
1. St Joseph’s Pipe Band, Glasdrumman, An Dún
2. St Joseph’s Pipe Band, Longstone, An Dún
3. Dublin Fire Brigade Marching Band, Dublin 2, Átha Cliath
Review
This year there was an increase in competitors in this competition, there was only one band last year who did not compete this year and this year there was two bands from county down who haven’t competed for many years. Each band performed a high standard of music and played it very well. They all had very large and extensive drum corps who performed extremely well. It was a very tight competition and would have been hard for judges to decide.
Results:
1st St Joseph’s Pipe Band, Longstone, An Dún
2nd Dublin Fire Brigade Marching Band, Dublin 2, Átha Cliath
3rd St Joseph’s Pipe Band, Glasdrumman, An Dún
Previous winner – Achill Pipe Band Achill, Co. Mayo
Section 28D – Senior Flute
1. Maghery Fife and Drum, Donegal
2. Banna Cuimhbeacháin Thomas Úí Chlérigh, Dungannon Tyrone
Review
In this competition there was supposed to be two competitors but only the Maghery band showed up for the competition. This was disappointing from the perspective of developing new bands to compete at the All Ireland but there was really only going to be one winner. Maghery band were always going to be the band to beat and this time they had no competition. But their high standard of flute music and their immensely complicated but flawless routine would beat any band.
Result:
1st Maghery Fife and Drum, Donegal
Previous winner – Maghery Fife and Drum, Donegal 2015, 2016,2017
Section 27D – Senior Accordion
1. Holy Cross Accordion Band Atticall, Down
Review
Again this competition had only one competitor but could arguably have had the best band on the day. Atticall band have always been known for their high standard of music and with veteran drum major their MD a is never far off the mark either. This competition has been declining in numbers over the last decade and in 2018 it didn’t improve. With many well known competitors such as Jonesborough, Mayobridge and Fanad who haven’t competed since 2016, 2014 and 2009 respectively it doesn’t look hopeful for the future of the competition. But Atticall don’t show any signs of stopping they only seem to improve.
Result:
1st Holy Cross Accordion Band Atticall, Down
Previous winner – Holy Cross Accordion Band Atticall, Down 2016, 2017
Section 29D Senior Miscellaneous
1. Chloich Cheann Fhaola Senior Band, Donegal
2. Ramelton Town Band Donegal
3. Holy Cross Band Atticall Down
Review
This was a highly competitive competition with three very good bands taking part. Each participant put on a great display of marching drill and music. It was a very close competition, Chloich Cheann Fhaola senior stood out for their fast paced and highly complicated marching drill routine which couldn’t be faulted they had a wide range of instruments which gave the music they played a beautiful fruitful tone. Ramelton Town band were a lot smaller in comparison to the other two bands, but that didn’t stop them putting on an enjoyable performance. The last band were Holy Cross Miscellaneous Band, Atticall this was their second band taking part on the day having previously competed in the Senior Accordion they made history by becoming the first ever band to compete in two senior sections on the one day. Being inexperienced in the miscellaneous section not much was expected but they put on a magnificent flawless performance, that arguably deserved at least second place.
Results:
1st Cloich Cheann Fhaola, CCÉ, Cloich Cheann Fhaola, Dún na nGall
2nd Ramelton Town Band, Ramelton, Dhún na nGal
3rd Holy Cross Band, Atticall, An Dún
Previous winner – Cloich Cheann Fhaola Senior, Donegal 2017
[…] number of bands attending the Fleadh Cheoil competitions has also been reduced greatly over the last decade. With some sections now having no […]