Five Things We Learned From Ulster Fleadh 2019

#1 Donegal Town Band Make All Ireland Hopes Realistic

Donegal Town Band wowed everyone on Sunday with their unbelievable performance. They were by far the best band in that section. They would have started this year hoping to have a good year in the Fleadh and so far they exceeded expectations. If they pull another performance like Sundays out of the bag in Drogheda they’ll have to be in the top two.

#2 Cloich Cheann Fhaola Junior Band Are Focused on Taking Back All Ireland Title!

After winning their first Ulster Title in 4 years Cloich Cheann Fhaola are focused on one thing this year and that’s regaining their All Ireland Title. They had a wonderful spell for three years winning All Ireland titles but last year they lost out to Donegal Town Band. This year they face a new Dublin Band miscellaneous who may be inexperienced but they’ll see it as a real chance to win silverware.

These two bands produced performances way below their high standards, and remember these are bands who’ve won many All Ireland’s and know what it takes to win. But on Sunday neither were good enough. Ramelton still have a chance to redeem themselves in the Miscellaneous section at the All Ireland. As for Atticall their Miscellaneous year is over after another disappointing year but they can now turn their attention too their Accordion Band who are heading for four All Ireland’s in a row a new record in the Senior Accordion Competition.

Since this band reformed and came back to the Fleadh they’ve faced a number of different bands. In 2017 they faced Loughmacrory and Ramelton, they beat both, in 2018 they faced Ramelton and Atticall, but they still won. Now this year they face Donegal Town, Ramelton and Foxford Brass and Reed. Cloich Cheann Fhaolas Senior Band hasn’t came up against Donegal Town yet, but their Junior Band know all about it and what it takes to beat them, but they’ve also lost to them. So maybe Donegal Town can stop their bid for three in a row? It will be a tight contest there’s no doubt about it.

#5 Has Fleadh Lost Touch With It’s Origin Traditional Irish Music?

There seems to be a recent trend at the marching band competition of the more “show like” performances being rewarded with higher positions. This goes completely against why the Fleadh started which was all about quality Irish traditional music. I know all the bands still play this music but some bands play more difficult and complex music which doesn’t seem to be getting rewarded. I know bands evolve over time and that they want to stand out from the rest but at the end of the day it should be more about the music 🎶

Later today we will have the final list of bands qualified for the All Ireland. Later this week we will have exclusive questions and answers with some of this year’s bands who will be at the Fleadh!