Arts & Entertainment
Irish Festival Raises Funds for Trip to Music World Finals in Ireland
Over 50 children from the region qualified for the World Finals in County Cavan, Ireland.
A large group of musicians played reels and jigs for an eager crowd at Anderson Field in Orangeburg on Sat. July 9th.
Sounding like professionals straight off the boat, every musician was under the age of 20.
The impressive group of 50 kids all qualified for the World Finals in County Cavan, Ireland this August.
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Comhaltas Ceoltoiri, a group involved with the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music, helped organize the festival on Saturday, as well as four other fundraisers, to assist with the plane tickets and accommodations for the students competing.
"We have a couple of bands going home, as well as a few solos," explained North America Vice Chair of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Tom Vesey, adding that there are 35 different countries involved, only allowing a few children from each region.
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Each division is split into age groups:
- Under 12
- 12-15
- 15-18
- Seniors (18+)
Aine Ross and Maureen Gertzkis, both whom play the fiddle, are members of the Pearl River Ceili Band, who placed in the fleadh.
"It's exciting, I'm looking forward to it," said Ross.
"I can't wait to play in Ireland," saig Gertzkis.
Erin Loughran, an accomplished musician and this year's New York Rose of Tralee, played the fiddle with her sisters.
"I'm proud and honored to be representing New York in the Rose of Tralee this August," Loughran said.
Kate, 10, and Emma, 6, Donnelly, from Dublin, Ireland, came in support of their cousin Sarah Donovan, 10.
"This is my first time (in the USA)," said Kate Donnelly. "I like the shops and being with my cousin. It's fun."
Kian McGeever, 8, plays the accordian and prefers playing reels, saying that he likes their fast pace.
Jade Keogh, 11, plays many instruments but will play the flute for the World Finals.
"We had a big competition and I placed in the mid-Atlantic flead. All my family lives over there and I've never been to a fleadh in Ireland. I'm want to see how it is," Keogh said.
For more information about Comhaltas Ceoltoiri visit http://comhaltas.ie/
