It was an exciting and successful week of competitions, concerts, céilithe, sessions and more as the 64th Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was celebrated by an estimated 400,000 throughout Ennis and among the winners were Fermanagh musicians.

John McCann of Coa, Fermanagh, came first in the button accordion U-18 category at the 2016 All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil. Ryan Maguire of Lisnaskea, Fermanagh, came third in the over 18 Ceili band Drum category at the 2016 All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis.

There was a special award for a local music teacher and musician too. Brenda McAleer received the Bardic Award at the weekend for achievement in and contribution to Irish traditional music and culture.

The streets of Ennis pulsed with Irish rhythm and revelry as age-old traditions were celebrated by new generations and the vibrancy of the Fleadh emanated throughout the town.

The All-Ireland Fleadh was held in Ennis on two previous occasions, in 1956 and 1977, and both were landmark events in the history of Irish traditional music. Every year, the Fleadh provides a cultural meeting place for those who carry the great traditions of Irish music, song and dance in their hearts.

Micheál O Riabhaigh, Chairman of the Fleadh Executive Committee said, “It has been a great privilege and an even greater responsibility to host this incredible event. We thank all the visitors to Ennis and sincerely hope the music and the craic was mighty and that everybody had a happy and a safe time in our town and county.”

At the core of the Fleadh are the competitions that see traditional musicians, dancers and singers of all ages and backgrounds competing at All Ireland level, following victories at regional competitions. This year almost 6,000 competitors played, sang or danced for All Ireland titles in 180 competitions. The standards were high and the music more than lived up to the expectations of judges who had a very difficult job choosing winners for each category and competition.

Scoil Éigse, the official summer school organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, ran throughout the week with Irish people and international students of all ages taking part in various music, singing, dancing and Irish language classes.

This year ‘The Green Fleadh’ made it easy to reduce and segregate waste, minimise water and energy use, reduce carbon emissions and source goods and materials sustainably. It helped the 400,000 visitors to Ennis take the necessary steps to protect and improve the environment.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will be returning to Ennis in 2017, taking place from August 13 -21.

For all the results and further details on the Fleadh and competitions, visit www.fleadhcheoil.ie