St Catherine’s Band from Killybegs, Donegal, celebrated a historic victory by clinching their first-ever Ulster Fleadh title in the Senior Accordion category. The band returned to their hometown to a warm welcome from an enthusiastic crowd, marking a significant milestone in their musical journey.
The achievement is the latest highlight in a remarkable year for St Catherine’s Band. Earlier in the year, they performed in New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, a long-awaited opportunity that had been postponed for four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The band’s participation in this iconic event underscored their growing reputation and commitment to Irish music.
The Ulster title has earned St Catherine’s a spot at the All Ireland Fleadh, the premier Irish traditional music competition. This will be the band’s first appearance at the Fleadh in 15 years, having last competed in 2009 in Tullamore, County Offaly. During that event, they narrowly missed victory, losing to the K & S Accordion Band, who won the Junior All Ireland Accordion section.
The upcoming All Ireland Fleadh promises to be a dramatic encounter, as St Catherine’s Band will once again face off against K & S. The latter is the defending champion, having secured their second ever Senior All Ireland title last year. The K & S Accordion Band has a storied history, particularly in the Junior category, where they have won 13 titles. Their first Senior title came in 2002, and they now aim to achieve back-to-back championships for the first time.
The upcoming All Ireland Fleadh promises an exciting contest, with St Catherine’s Band poised to build on their recent success and aim for their first All Ireland title. A victory would mark the first time a Senior Accordion title has gone to Donegal since Fanad’s win in 1997.
They were the only competitors in this section