Over the coming months to get you ‘fleadh ready’ were taking a look at the biggest win at each fleadh over the last seven years. This week is 2012 and it was a special year for St. Brigid’s Accordion Band, Jonesborough.
They created their own piece of musical history that weekend when both Junior and Senior divisions of the band marched off with their respective All -Ireland titles at the 2012 Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann.
It was the first time that both junior and senior sections of the one band have achieved separate All-Ireland titles on the same day and it firmly established the talented outfit as one the best in the country.
This success did not come about by chance but is the culmination of months of hard work, practice and rehearsals for the band members and hard working committee.
Crowds of spectators had travelled from all over Ireland to lend their support to the many competing bands. Indeed the biggest cheers were reserved for St. Brigid’s Junior band who were the last to perform and despite near monsoon conditions the young band played on to tumultuous applause to grab the coveted first place in their section. Their All-Ireland success was a tremendous achievement for the young band, with many of its members competing in a Fleadh for the first time, and was a testament to many long hours of practice.
Meanwhile, their senior band returned to its winning ways achieving its fourth All-Ireland Fleadh win in six years following an outstanding performance in the arena.
Both jubilant bands participated in the colourful parade through the streets of Cavan after the competition.
Full 2012 Results;
- Junior Flute – 1st Maghery
- Senior Flute – 1st Mullaghduff, 2nd Maghery
- Junior Miscellaneous – 1st Donegal Town Band
- Senior Miscellaneous – 1st Ramelton Town Band
- Junior Accordion- 1st Jonesborough, 2nd Fanad
- Senior Accordion – 1st Jonesborough, 2nd Atticall, 3rd Downpatrick
Next week we will be looking at 2013, can you remember who made the headlines that year?