Cnoc an Óir Ceilí Band came 3rd in Mullingar at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, Senior Ceilí Band Competition. The competition was fierce with two Mayo bands taking first and second and our Kerry band got 3rd place. A tremendous achievement as this was their first year taking part in the competition.
The local Comhaltas Branch, Baile an Bhuinneanaigh CCÉ are extremely proud of the 10 All Ireland medal winners.
A celebration night will be held friday 25th Aug in the Bunker Bar Ballybunion at 9pm. As well as music from the fantastic Cnoc an Óir Ceilí Band we will have performances from some of our under age Branch Bands and Groups that participated in the Munster Fleadh last month.
Band members pictured: Front – Maeve Scanlan, Caoimhe Scanlan, Eilis Murphy, Katie Lucey, Bridget McCarthy. Back: Mike Rice, Colm Kissane, Conor Hennessy, Ian Sheehy, Pádraig Holly.
The Cnoc an Óir Ceilí Band hale from Contae Chiarraí. It comprises of a group of friends from Ballybunion, as well as the surrounding areas of Listowel, Tralee and across the border to Abbeyfeale. All had been playing together for years at Fleadhanna Cheoil and local sessions when they came together officially to form a Ceilí Band, under the guidance of their good friend Alan Finn.
Each member is a well-established musician in their own right, with All-Ireland medals and even an All-Ireland Ceilí Band winner in their midst.
The name Cnoc an Óir is derived from a local placename in Ballybunion, Cnoc an Fhómhair (Hill of Autumn). A summit with spectacular panoramic views over North Kerry, The Shannon Estuary and Loop Head. Local folklore claims, that Fionn Mac Cumhaill fought with total heart and soul to achieve the impossible and win the deadly battle to keep the Hill from over 300 Greagach invaders. We salute his pride and evoke his passion as we play for Cnoc an Óir.
Members…
Fiddles: Colm Kissane, Caoimhe Scanlan, Katie Lucey
Flutes: Eilis Murphy, Mike Rice | Concertina: Maeve Scanlan
Accordion: Pádraig Holly
Banjo: Conor Hennessy
Drums: Ian Sheehy
Piano: Bridget McCarthy
