'It's not just something that happens at the Fleadh but also when you come home - there is still music.'

The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann which concluded in Wexford town last night last Sunday August, 10 and Leitrim singers, musicians and dancers had a great time at the event, Fionnuala Maxwell chairperson of Leitrim CCE said when speaking to the Leitrim Observer this week.

Acting as an adjudicator at the event, she said that she met many of the Leitrim competitors onsite. "A lot of them would have travelled up for the week and some of them would have taken part in the Scoil Éigse, which takes place in the lead up to the Fleadh. They are a master class for people who have qualified for All-Ireland. I also met many of them in little groups having seisiúns here and there so they certainly enjoyed that aspect of it."

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Fionnuala paid tribute to Paddy Rooney who was from Lurganboy, Manorhamilton in Leitrim who died following a short illness. "Everyone's thoughts were with the Rooney family over the weekend. Many of the children would have played with Paddy Rooney over the years and his family were in all of our thoughts; we were also mindful that they would have wanted the music to go on and he would have enjoyed it."

There were Leitrim winners; in the 33A English Singing (Ladies) / Amhráin Bhéarla (Mná) (under 12 years), category, Sadhbh Reynolds, CCÉ, Drumsna, Leitrim received third place while in the 4D Feadóg / Whistle (O18 years), category, Saoirse Ní Chéilleachair, CCÉ, Ballinamore, Leitrim received second place.

She told us: "I was there when Sadhbh got her award because I teach her the singing. She was delighted. For a lot of our competitors this year, it was their first year to qualify so it was really a great experience for them and amazing for them to have got that far. The competition is very tough when you get to the All-Ireland because you have people from the US, Britain, Japan and I even saw a German qualifier for the competitor so you are competing with people from all over the world."

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While it's a huge achievement for those who receive an award, Fionnuala said that the Fleadh is about all of those who take part. "The Fleadh helps them to perfect their art to improve; they pick up a lot. It's not just the taking part that counts; it's more than that; it's actually being a musician, singer or dancer; It's not just something that happens at the Fleadh but also when you come home - there is still music."

Fionnuala said that there were around 100 Leitrim visitors at the Fleadh. "Between singers and dancers and musicians, there would have been around 100 involved Leitrim-wise. You don't have to qualify to go to the Fleadh and enjoys the festival and the seisiúns."