The Sean McAloon Festival, one of the longest running festivals in Ulster remembering a great piper from the Roslea area, returned last week after a four year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The popular festival hosted by Roslea Comhaltas opened on Easter Sunday (April 9) with a special concert celebrating Traditional music talent with musicians and singers from all corners of Ulster and beyond performing.

Taking place at Roslea Community Centre, the concert opened with Roslea Comhaltas musicians.

The night continued with Maeve O’Donnell from Tyrone on the pipes, accompanied by singer Pearse Larkin from Armagh.

Fergal McArdle from Louth then entertained on concertina, followed by singer Katie Boyle from Monaghan who was joined by her students from the Roslea branch.

Other performances included Brid Harper from Donegal on fiddle, Fergus Bogue from Cavan on accordion, Seamus Tierney from Cavan on flute and Gerry McMahon from Fermanagh on guitar.

There was a surprise performance on the night by special guest, Fermanagh singer Tommy McDermott, who is a lifelong branch member. Tommy sang a song he composed recently in honour of the great Sean McAloon.

Following the successful opening concert, the festival continued with a youth Traditional music session on Tuesday, April 11. The session, which was lead by Martin Donohoe and Karen McMahon, was a great night of music and song held at the Roslea Shamrocks GAA complex.

The Fior Ceili on Friday, April 14 featured great music by Raymond Loney and Bernard Geoghan, the caller for the night, ensured all ran smoothly as he remembered the late Sonny McDermott who organised and loved attending ceilis for many years.

The festival closed on Saturday, April 15 with a wonderful singing and storytelling event at Derrygannon Hall.

Talking about the week-long festivities, a spokesperson for Roslea Comhaltas said: "[The festival was a] great success - [we had a] packed house every night."

"The week's events were a great warm up for the Fermanagh Fleadh where crowds will return once again to Roslea from June 8 to 11. Keep an eye out in the coming weeks for all the details," the spokesperson concluded.