Mayo's Ceoltóirí Humbert Caisleán an Bharraigh make Fleadh debut
THE recent Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford was a special occasion for a group of musicians from Castlebar.
Ceoltóirí Humbert Caisleán an Bharraigh met for the very first time in September of last year in the Linenhall Arts Centre. And what started off as a slow trad session with up to 10 musicians snowballed into the group competing at the prestigious Fleadh Cheoil in St. Peter’s College, Wexford town.
The group coordinator, Eamonn Abberton, explained how things transpired from that initial small get-together last September.
“We met for the first time in the Linenhall as a ‘slow trad’ group in September 2024. We were hoping to get up to 10 players, but things really took off and we had up to 20 musicians in our group.
“After those initial sessions in the Linenhall centre, we then set the target to take part in the Fleadh. Our group took part in the grúpa cheoil competition. We have a mixed group of musicians, and we have teenagers right up to some people aged 60. We also have two excellent harpists who are 13 years of age.”
It was a proud occasion for Eamonn to see Ceoltóirí Humbert do so well at the All-Ireland competition.
“It was fantastic to see how well the group performed, especially as it was their first time competing in the Fleadh,” he said.
“There were also other traditional groups in our grúpa cheoil competition from the United States, Scotland, and also lots of groups and musicians from all over Ireland.
There was another group from Castlebar called the Rolling Waves and they were very good. They supported us and we also gave them support as well.
“It was a great few days and lots of the musician’s family members made the trip to Wexford to support us. Our group performed in St. Peter’s College, situated in Wexford town, and that is a fantastic venue.”
Some of the greatest memories from a magical few days was seeing the group compete in a major competition for the very first time, and all of the harmonies coming together. Eamonn also said that enjoyment was key as well.
“The abiding memory I will take from the Fleadh was seeing the group compete in a major competition for the first time and the enjoyment they took from the event. They had to perform for eight minutes, and it was great to hear all the harmonies coming together.”
The future for this new group is bright and Eamonn hopes to see Ceoltóirí Humbert return to next year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast.
“There is an event taking part in the Linenhall Centre, Castlebar, on September 19, and the group will be performing there.
“Down the line, we will once again meet up for a slow session, and our aim would be to return to next year’s Fleadh,” he said.
The Ceoltóirí Humbert group who took part in the Fleadh are as follows: Crona Carr, Irene McMorrow, Ruairi Lennon, Eamonn Abberton, Noeleen and Kate McCool, Maya and Jude Bullard, Josephine Doyle, Kevin Corrigan, Ryan O'Sullivan, Paula Devitt, Mary Mullarkey and Aoife English.