0:00:02 > 0:00:05BELLS TOLL
0:00:14 > 0:00:18CELTIC MUSIC
0:00:30 > 0:00:33This is the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann,
0:00:33 > 0:00:38the largest gathering of Irish traditional musicians in the world.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43For every one of them,
0:00:43 > 0:00:47an All-Ireland medal is the ultimate prize.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49For these young musicians and their families,
0:00:49 > 0:00:52the journey to Derry/Londonderry, the UK City of Culture,
0:00:52 > 0:00:54has been years in the making.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Throughout the summer,
0:01:17 > 0:01:21qualifying events take place in every county in Ireland.
0:01:21 > 0:01:27Here in Tyrone, 278 musicians of all ages compete against their peers,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30hoping to win through to the next stage - the provincial final.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40They are all members of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann,
0:01:40 > 0:01:43the organisation founded in 1957 to preserve a musical tradition
0:01:43 > 0:01:45that was almost lost.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51The county final is a chance to build confidence
0:01:51 > 0:01:54and musical friendships, but for the McKenna family
0:01:54 > 0:01:57and many like them, the road to Derry starts here.
0:01:59 > 0:02:00James, Sinead and Peter,
0:02:00 > 0:02:04for the last four years they've been competing in trio.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08Last year it really came together,
0:02:08 > 0:02:14they were first-place winners in the Under-15 All Ireland.
0:02:14 > 0:02:15It's a nice sense of achievement for them,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18given that Peter was 11 and Sinead was 12.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24If the McKennas are to defend their title in Derry,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27they must win through in first or second place.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38Nerves can derail even the most experienced competitor.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41Nervous now. I always get nervous in competitions.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44I didn't know at the start of the day if I was going to play or not.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48I've been in competitions now since I was 11 years of age, and I thought
0:02:48 > 0:02:51I might give it a miss for a year, but my father had other ideas.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Keeping me practising was probably the worst thing,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00after all the fights and arguments through the years.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03After all the years of playing now I do thank him,
0:03:03 > 0:03:05for keeping me going when I didn't want to.
0:03:05 > 0:03:06HE LAUGHS
0:03:08 > 0:03:1212-year-old Una Campbell's chosen instrument is not one usually
0:03:12 > 0:03:14associated with traditional music.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38I always played traditional music on the tin whistle.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42The notes are kind of the same on the tin whistle,
0:03:42 > 0:03:44like, the same as the saxophone.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48I brought some notes onto the saxophone and started fiddling about
0:03:48 > 0:03:52with things, and then Mummy actually taught me a tune on the saxophone.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Then that year we entered the Miscellaneous
0:04:00 > 0:04:03and got through the All-Ireland and won the All-Ireland,
0:04:03 > 0:04:08so then, just come back this year again and see how I do.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12And I give first place to Una, well done.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14And the best of luck in Ulster.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18And in first place is Tomas Quinn, well done.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22In first place, James and Sinead McKenna.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Glad it's all over!
0:04:30 > 0:04:33But success in their county Fleadh is only the beginning.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Now these young musicians must face the best in Ulster
0:04:35 > 0:04:37at the provincial finals
0:04:37 > 0:04:41if they are to realise the dream of competing for the All-Ireland.
0:04:41 > 0:04:42And this year, for the first time
0:04:42 > 0:04:45since this festival of music began,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48the Fleadh will cross the border, to this year's City of Culture,
0:04:48 > 0:04:52a city that has always been steeped in music.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00HE SINGS IN IRISH
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Another musician with his sights firmly set on
0:05:07 > 0:05:12this year's Fleadh is singer and composer Lorcan MacMathuna.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15Steeped in the tradition of song known as Sean-nos,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18he is part of a generation of young musicians taking
0:05:18 > 0:05:20traditional music into the 21st century.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Throughout this summer he will work with different
0:05:32 > 0:05:35communities from across Derry, as he searches for both words
0:05:35 > 0:05:38and musicians to help him create a unique new work which will be
0:05:38 > 0:05:42performed as part of the grand opening of this year's Fleadh.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49I've been asked to write a cycle of songs which will open the Fleadh.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52So this is why I want to talk to you people,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55I want you to be part of writing a new song.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01'What colour is the Foyle?'
0:06:01 > 0:06:05Foyle is red, yellow, pink, blue, orange, purple and green.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10I see the Foyle River and it teases me.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12I hear the sounds of traffic in the distance,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16I smell smoke from houses and cigarette butts, I see
0:06:16 > 0:06:20tall, compact buildings reaching towards the permanently grey sky.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Where does the River Foyle go to?
0:06:23 > 0:06:26The River Foyle goes to the end of the world.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30HE SPEAKS IRISH
0:06:32 > 0:06:36CHILDREN SPEAK IRISH
0:06:38 > 0:06:42It knows the colour or subject to change, nothing lasts forever.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45I'm sure you can't put your hand in the same river twice, but
0:06:45 > 0:06:48you can definitely put both hands in the same river at least once.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52Everybody has something to say about the river,
0:06:52 > 0:06:55nobody's left blank with that one.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58It certainly has a... It's perceived anyway,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00to have a life and a personality.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05So later on this month I'll be coming back with lyrics and a melody
0:07:05 > 0:07:06and teaching it to everybody.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Everyone that wants to be part of it.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15I didn't actually think the workshops would draw such strong teams for me.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18I thought I would be getting a million different stories
0:07:18 > 0:07:19and fitting them all together.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22What I'm actually finding is that there's a million different
0:07:22 > 0:07:26perceptions and stories, all right, but it is the story of one city.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29And a river runs through it as well.
0:07:43 > 0:07:48This year, London is the venue for the 50th annual All-Britain Fleadh.
0:07:48 > 0:07:53Over 400 finalists from Comhaltas branches all over England, Scotland
0:07:53 > 0:07:56and Wales will compete for a chance to perform in Derry.
0:07:58 > 0:07:59These sons and daughters
0:07:59 > 0:08:03of Irish immigrants are part of a vibrant musical tradition overseas,
0:08:03 > 0:08:07a tradition that Justin Quinn from Leeds is rediscovering.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12'I started playing music, I think, when I was about nine.'
0:08:14 > 0:08:19Parents were from Pomeroy in Tyrone and my granda used to play fiddle.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24When I was growing up in Leeds the Irish community was a
0:08:24 > 0:08:26really big community.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31The music was a massive part of Irish culture.
0:08:31 > 0:08:36I won the All-Ireland when I was 14, in the 12-15s, and it was...
0:08:36 > 0:08:40I think that was the second year I'd entered the Fleadh.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43I didn't really understand what I'd achieved...
0:08:43 > 0:08:45at that time.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48I think I was probably too young to appreciate what winning
0:08:48 > 0:08:49the All-Ireland meant.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55I think I put the accordion down when I went to university,
0:08:55 > 0:09:00and I don't think I picked it up for nearly 20 years.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Coming back to Leeds, having lived abroad in Thailand,
0:09:06 > 0:09:10and bumping into Paddy there, who, similar story with the fiddle.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13So, Paddy and I kind of egging each other to get back involved.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21This is something that was always there and was lacking,
0:09:21 > 0:09:23and needs putting back into my life really.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27The best way to do that - enter the Fleadh,
0:09:27 > 0:09:30cos you've no choice then but to learn some tunes.
0:09:30 > 0:09:31Not so much to win the competition,
0:09:31 > 0:09:35just not to completely humiliate yourself.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38And, erm, that's kind of where we are today.
0:09:38 > 0:09:39- PADDY:- Sounds good.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54I'm a bit long in the tooth for entering a competition,
0:09:54 > 0:09:59but in another way it's managed to drag Paddy and myself back...
0:09:59 > 0:10:01actively to music.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03APPLAUSE Justin Quinn.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Once I bought this accordion on eBay I was like,
0:10:27 > 0:10:30"Oh, I'm going to have to learn how to play again."
0:10:33 > 0:10:34I kind of realised that,
0:10:34 > 0:10:36in the 20 years I'd not picked up an accordion,
0:10:36 > 0:10:41I'd regularly sat with my fingers drumming, actually playing tunes.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45Not just tapping them out
0:10:45 > 0:10:48but playing the tunes in quite a stylised way
0:10:48 > 0:10:52and I guess interpreting them and still developing as a musician.
0:11:06 > 0:11:11'20 years, but nerves, I don't remember nerves being quite so bad.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14'I was an indestructible child.'
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Second place I give to Justin Quinn.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18APPLAUSE
0:11:20 > 0:11:22Yep, on the way to Derry,
0:11:22 > 0:11:25and the lesson is "do a bit more homework", I think.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34The climax of every Fleadh is also its most competitive event -
0:11:34 > 0:11:37the Senior Ceili Band Competition.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Hoping to return to the All-Ireland finals are Britain's reigning champions
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- the St Roch's Ceili Band from Glasgow.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54For Paddy Callaghan, a successful solo artist
0:11:54 > 0:11:58and BBC Scotland's Young Traditional Musician of the Year,
0:11:58 > 0:12:00the band is a huge part of his life.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05'I got involved because my dad had taken me up to classes.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08'My older sisters had been already attending those,
0:12:08 > 0:12:11'and I knew that by the time I got to four or five
0:12:11 > 0:12:13'I would be given a penny whistle
0:12:13 > 0:12:17'and go up to the local Comhaltas branch, the Irish Minstrels branch.'
0:12:18 > 0:12:19It's hugely important,
0:12:19 > 0:12:21particularly to a community
0:12:21 > 0:12:23like the one I'm in in Glasgow,
0:12:23 > 0:12:29where there's very few ways in which you can express your Irish culture.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33'So it's great that the one thing that is accepted is music.'
0:12:34 > 0:12:37St Roch's, Irish Minstrels.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41So, if they could start making their way to the stage please.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43St Roch's Ceili Band is an institution.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48I started going out playing ceilis when I was 12 and 13.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53It's the most amazing education you can ever get in music.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04Going out at that age, performing on a weekly basis...
0:13:04 > 0:13:09I mean, you might be playing to 100 women in their eighties, but it's
0:13:09 > 0:13:13the experience of doing that and the discipline that it teaches you.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25You can put five or six different generations of band on a stage,
0:13:25 > 0:13:29never played together before, and they'll start exactly the time
0:13:29 > 0:13:32and play the same tunes, any dead stops or variations,
0:13:32 > 0:13:34and it'll sound great.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40CHEERING
0:13:44 > 0:13:46Four points to the Leeds Ceili Band.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49'It was a close one at the All-Britain this year,
0:13:49 > 0:13:52'it went right down to the last adjudicator.'
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Five points to Ceol Agus Craic.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Seven points to St Roch's.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02- BAND MEMBERS:- Woohoo!
0:14:02 > 0:14:05That's us through to Derry, so...absolutely delighted.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07Yeah, looking forward to it.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15DRUMMING
0:14:19 > 0:14:23Another musician is hoping his band will qualify for Derry.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Kieran Leonard is already an All-Ireland champion in bodhran
0:14:26 > 0:14:27and in drumming.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29His band have come close before,
0:14:29 > 0:14:33but so far the All-Ireland trophy has eluded them.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37Kieran is hoping that this year in Derry it will be their turn.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40I suppose going to the first Fleadh I really fell in love with it,
0:14:40 > 0:14:41I got hooked on it.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46You just start planning your life around what's going on at a Fleadh.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56Now this year, I've no solo competitions, and it's
0:14:56 > 0:15:00almost like I can really enjoy everything until we get to the bands.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04I love the ceili band, it really does mean a lot to me, you know.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09I'm lucky in the sense that there's ten of us in that band,
0:15:09 > 0:15:11and we're all friends.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Maggie Maguire is a fiddle player in the band,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18and she kind of runs it, and her brother Chris is on accordion,
0:15:18 > 0:15:20her sister's on flute,
0:15:20 > 0:15:22so straightaway you've got a family environment there.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25There's a closeness already,
0:15:25 > 0:15:28we can rely on every single person in that band.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35You practise all year, and your goal is to go to the Fleadh
0:15:35 > 0:15:37- this year it's in Derry -
0:15:37 > 0:15:38our goal is to go to the Fleadh,
0:15:38 > 0:15:41give it a real good shot, and win lose or draw the ten of us
0:15:41 > 0:15:43will still be together at the end of it.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56With just over a month before the Fleadh begins,
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Lorcan is back in Derry with the finished song,
0:15:58 > 0:16:00and looking for an orchestra of volunteers.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Well, I went off and took your transcripts
0:16:04 > 0:16:07and transcripts from other places as well, and pieced together
0:16:07 > 0:16:11what I think is an ode to the city and an ode to the river itself.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14It's called I Am the Foyle.
0:16:16 > 0:16:22# I have carried many streams
0:16:23 > 0:16:28# My streams have carried many people
0:16:30 > 0:16:36# I have wrested stories from the twisted plain... #
0:16:37 > 0:16:40Working with all of those little snatches I had of people's minds
0:16:40 > 0:16:46and trying to get phrases I thought would reveal something about them,
0:16:46 > 0:16:50and finding themes within it all that tied together quite well.
0:16:51 > 0:16:57So "I am the Foyle" became sort of, the statement of that aim, you know.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02# I am memories
0:17:02 > 0:17:06# I am an ocean... #
0:17:06 > 0:17:11Once I was doing that, the feeling of an anthem came out
0:17:11 > 0:17:12very strongly in it.
0:17:12 > 0:17:18# I am laden with the rust of history
0:17:19 > 0:17:25# I am 1,000 colours
0:17:25 > 0:17:30# My depths are bronze and green
0:17:30 > 0:17:34# The murky home of man and land
0:17:34 > 0:17:39# I am the colours of the sky
0:17:40 > 0:17:47# Of greys and purple, of rain and shadow
0:17:50 > 0:17:55# Of blues and endless clarity. #
0:17:59 > 0:18:01ACCORDION PLAYS
0:18:09 > 0:18:11For the McKenna family, this summer
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- and every summer - belongs to music.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Myself and Martin both have a great interest in Irish music, we were
0:18:21 > 0:18:24never competitive in Irish music but we had a great interest in it.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31We're guided by what they like to do,
0:18:31 > 0:18:33and when they show an interest in something.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39That really has very much brought us on our journey,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42in terms of what we do over the summertime.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52Peter is moderately deaf, it's called low-tone deafness.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Low tones, he can't hear them, but he can hear very high sounds, so I think
0:18:56 > 0:19:00Peter has adapted himself within music to the pitch of instruments.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04So he has picked the pipes and the whistle because he knows he can
0:19:04 > 0:19:06get the loud tones out of those instruments and the high tones.
0:19:14 > 0:19:19The trio started out as really an encouragement arena for Peter.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24We can see the music breaking down the barriers for Peter,
0:19:24 > 0:19:27because he can feel a sense of achievement by playing
0:19:27 > 0:19:29the music and being on the same level playing field
0:19:29 > 0:19:31as everybody else in the family.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40It's a busy time for Mary and Martin, with six of their seven
0:19:40 > 0:19:44children hoping to qualify from the Ulster provincial final.
0:19:44 > 0:19:50Well, first of all, my concert flute at 10.00.
0:19:50 > 0:19:55There's another competition you're in at number one as well.
0:19:55 > 0:19:56It's not 10.00, it's at half 11.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09The very best musicians from the
0:20:09 > 0:20:14nine counties of Ulster are here, all 2,971 of them.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17Throughout this weekend, in competition after competition,
0:20:17 > 0:20:19they will play in front of the public
0:20:19 > 0:20:23and their peers as the judges choose the winners.
0:20:23 > 0:20:24And only those placed in first
0:20:24 > 0:20:27and second will get the coveted ticket to Derry.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30Over the course of Saturday
0:20:30 > 0:20:34and Sunday we have six children competing in...
0:20:34 > 0:20:36I think it's 23 competitions in total.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42Really and truly I think Sinead doesn't mind how you
0:20:42 > 0:20:44get on in the competition, it's, "Let's give it a go."
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Sinead likes to play various instruments
0:20:48 > 0:20:52and she's exploring various competitions at the moment
0:20:52 > 0:20:55in the Fleadh, so it's a case of being organised and prepared
0:20:55 > 0:20:59to abide by the Fleadh rules, and be in five places at the one time.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05- You got first place in the fiddle. - Oh!
0:21:05 > 0:21:11Erm, duet, you got first place in the duet. So...congratulations!
0:21:22 > 0:21:25In first place and also going to the All-Ireland Fleadh in Derry -
0:21:25 > 0:21:28Una Campbell, from Pomeroy. APPLAUSE
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Another popular winner in the Senior Button Accordion Competition
0:21:34 > 0:21:36is Christopher Maguire.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43Went in and played the tunes as well as I could play them.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46I was very happy with how I performed, but going through
0:21:46 > 0:21:48to the All-Ireland, it's another day out for me.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53For the next three weeks I'll be locked in a room
0:21:53 > 0:21:54practising four tunes.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58See where I can add variation, rolls, nothing too loud,
0:21:58 > 0:21:59too soft, you know.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10'Very nervous, eh? I'll be happy when I get it over.'
0:22:12 > 0:22:15I suppose the older you get the harder it is to keep
0:22:15 > 0:22:17going into competitions.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21After a few years you get fed up with competing.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Whatever happens.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31I've managed to get him in so far every year,
0:22:31 > 0:22:32but I think this'll be the last.
0:22:32 > 0:22:33HE LAUGHS
0:22:36 > 0:22:40You'd think I'd be used to it by now. I'm getting worse.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47As long as I play well, I'll be happy.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49I don't care about places, as long as I play well.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Number four in the programme is Tomas Quinn.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Well, if you sort of get into your own zone
0:23:04 > 0:23:07and don't think about anything else, you'll be grand.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09But it was still nerve-racking.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18In fairness, expect you to get first all the time.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21That's all the parents, me included.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27I think he's good enough to be up there with the best of them,
0:23:27 > 0:23:31so I'd still like him to continue until he wins the All-Ireland.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37But as well as dealing with the pressure of competition, Peter has
0:23:37 > 0:23:39just discovered that his drones are faulty,
0:23:39 > 0:23:43and with no time to fix the problem, he must perform anyway.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00I could have done better if I had the drones,
0:24:00 > 0:24:03but I'm still lucky to come second place.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06It means I've sort of got a second chance, because
0:24:06 > 0:24:09if I didn't get second I wouldn't be through to the All-Ireland.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13This year has just been one lucky year.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21Well, it was a great day, a great Ulster Fleadh,
0:24:21 > 0:24:24wonderful standard, in the competitions I could see anyway,
0:24:24 > 0:24:28and the children had great success in some of the competitions.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32First place today, beautiful performance
0:24:32 > 0:24:33- James, Sinead and Peter McKenna.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35APPLAUSE
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Good stuff, excellent, best of luck in the All-Ireland.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42'The big focus after today will be going to Derry for the
0:24:42 > 0:24:46'big events, so the caravan will be on the roll again.'
0:24:57 > 0:25:00We are waiting at the Ceili Band Competition, first band's on,
0:25:00 > 0:25:04second band's pulled out, so we are up next.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06So I'm actually ringing the band to let them
0:25:06 > 0:25:08know we need to get here sharpish.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Rhona, I'll meet you up the side of the stage, you coming with me?
0:25:16 > 0:25:18All eyes will be on the Knockmore Ceili Band.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21As reigning champions, they are the ones to beat,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24and the competition today has been fierce.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26- MC:- The Knockmore Ceili Band...
0:25:26 > 0:25:27CHEERING
0:25:31 > 0:25:33At the Seniors you have four tunes,
0:25:33 > 0:25:35and there is a serious buzz off them.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Whenever you change tune,
0:25:43 > 0:25:45cos you have to do a set of jigs or a set of reels,
0:25:45 > 0:25:47once you do that and you hear the hop in the crowd,
0:25:47 > 0:25:50when people get excited when you're changing tune,
0:25:50 > 0:25:52the hair stands on the back of your neck.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58You have to believe you're going to get there,
0:25:58 > 0:26:02you have to believe you're going to get through your province.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Our aim is to get to Derry, to get to the All-Ireland.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11Whether we're first or second today is not the issue,
0:26:11 > 0:26:12we just want to be in Derry.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21In second place...
0:26:25 > 0:26:28And the winner - Knockmore Ceili Band from Botha.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36All yours, Mikey. Come on, let's hear it.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Great, we're through, that's the main thing.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45We're through now and we'll see how we get on for Derry.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55With just one day left, Lorcan's final preparations are under way.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57But getting people together to
0:26:57 > 0:27:00rehearse during the summer has been a real problem,
0:27:00 > 0:27:03and a number of places in the orchestra have yet to be filled.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06And there's a chance that his ambitious plan cannot be
0:27:06 > 0:27:09realised in time for tomorrow night's premiere.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12All the workshops that went into it beforehand,
0:27:12 > 0:27:15they were really about giving all those people
0:27:15 > 0:27:19and communities a chance to be part of it.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21So right from the start,
0:27:21 > 0:27:25getting them involved in the creation of the words, and then, when those
0:27:25 > 0:27:27words become music, getting them involved in the expression of it.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33I knew very well, you're dealing with all sorts of capabilities,
0:27:33 > 0:27:34and larger numbers as well.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40You just don't know who's turning up and who's not
0:27:40 > 0:27:42and what's here and what's that,
0:27:42 > 0:27:47so even with the arrangement there's bits being altered all the time
0:27:47 > 0:27:49and bits being changed, and we don't have a harp player,
0:27:49 > 0:27:51so will the electric guitar do that?
0:27:51 > 0:27:52And all the rest of it.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55So it's one of those crazy things where it's still in motion,
0:27:55 > 0:27:57as it were, the arrangement process.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59It doesn't seem to be ever finished,
0:27:59 > 0:28:01it'll be finished after tomorrow night.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06I've been chatting to Martin on different occasions
0:28:06 > 0:28:08and he just said, "Do you want to be a part of it?"
0:28:08 > 0:28:11And I thought, "Brilliant, it's in Derry, the Fleadh's here,
0:28:11 > 0:28:14"so why not be a part of something really special and unique?"
0:28:15 > 0:28:18I suppose today is the day before the concert,
0:28:18 > 0:28:22so this is my first day listening to it, seeing where everything is.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27One of the things about the Fleadh and this whole project,
0:28:27 > 0:28:30is it's about inclusion.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34Irish music, the whole ethos, it's bringing everybody
0:28:34 > 0:28:37and welcoming everybody into the process.
0:28:37 > 0:28:38People are getting the chance to
0:28:38 > 0:28:40play in an orchestra for the very first time.
0:28:43 > 0:28:48I hope that just being there, hearing that, in a cathedral,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51in that space, will really get them going.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57You don't need a pep talk at that stage.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08MAN SPEAKS IRISH OVER PA SYSTEM
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Indeed, enjoy the Fleadh, enjoy the weather,
0:29:15 > 0:29:17thank you and God bless.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34Paddy Callaghan...
0:29:34 > 0:29:35SHE TRANSLATES INTO IRISH
0:29:35 > 0:29:39And what about the Fleadh experience when you were growing up, Paddy?
0:29:39 > 0:29:41The Fleadh was always an amazing weekend,
0:29:41 > 0:29:45so many great musicians being in the one place for what is without
0:29:45 > 0:29:47doubt the biggest party in the world.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49CHEERING
0:29:51 > 0:29:56My mum was born just six or seven miles down the road and for
0:29:56 > 0:30:00every holiday, every chance we could possibly get to come over
0:30:00 > 0:30:03to Ireland, it was always spent in Derry.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08All my aunts and uncles are dotted around.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10And a lot of my family have never been able to see me play.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13It's lovely for me to be able to come and play.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17To be honest, I never thought I would have seen a Fleadh in Derry,
0:30:17 > 0:30:19but it's great to be a part of it.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30With Ireland's biggest street party well under way,
0:30:30 > 0:30:33a great last-minute effort has gathered the musicians needed
0:30:33 > 0:30:36to achieve Lorcan's dream for an orchestra of volunteers.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42SPEAKS GAELIC
0:30:43 > 0:30:46Harpists, brass players and, most importantly,
0:30:46 > 0:30:49a choir arrive just before the performance.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56This is a grand plan.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00It's a big undertaking to try and get something like that going.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02You have to be certain that you're able to do it
0:31:02 > 0:31:04before you even start it, you know?
0:31:04 > 0:31:07I think this is the first time somebody has actually
0:31:07 > 0:31:09commissioned someone to launch a Fleadh.
0:31:09 > 0:31:10I'm delighted it was me.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13CHOIR SING IN GAELIC
0:31:22 > 0:31:28# I am laden with the rust of histories
0:31:29 > 0:31:33# I am a thousand colours
0:31:36 > 0:31:40# My depths are bronze and green
0:31:40 > 0:31:44# The murky home of Mananan... #
0:31:44 > 0:31:48The most important thing is that they feel that they
0:31:48 > 0:31:50took part in the creation of something, you know?
0:31:50 > 0:31:54And that they can feel quite proud of. And they made it start to shine.
0:31:54 > 0:32:00# ..the greys and purples of rain and shadow... #
0:32:00 > 0:32:04To open it with something that really was composed by everybody,
0:32:04 > 0:32:07and, you know, was contributed so much by everybody
0:32:07 > 0:32:10and everybody's personalities, that is the Fleadh.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14It's completely spontaneous and completely full of fun.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18And, you know, everybody making everything work, no matter what.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21THE CHOIR SING
0:32:39 > 0:32:43It's one of these things that people will look back on in ten years
0:32:43 > 0:32:45and say, "I was there, do you remember that?"
0:32:45 > 0:32:47This unique occasion.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49So, it's fantastic. I'm really happy I'm a part of it.
0:32:52 > 0:32:58# Come swing with me
0:33:01 > 0:33:07# Don't come to me
0:33:07 > 0:33:12# In sorrow. #
0:33:16 > 0:33:18APPLAUSE
0:33:22 > 0:33:24I feel very proud of everybody here
0:33:24 > 0:33:27because I've been with them for a while now.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30To see everybody grasp the nettle and go with it
0:33:30 > 0:33:35and make something really spectacular out of it, I'm really proud.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38APPLAUSE
0:33:41 > 0:33:46The applause for this new anthem to Derry spills out into the city.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49Another part of a soundscape which fills the streets
0:33:49 > 0:33:51as one tune gives way to another.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58The Fleadh is mainly about community.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01It's about gathering people who enjoy that music together
0:34:01 > 0:34:03and letting them play amongst each other.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08My father was involved in Comhaltas at the start
0:34:08 > 0:34:13when there was a real danger the old traditional music was going
0:34:13 > 0:34:16to vanish because it was associated with poverty and backwardness.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18He told us we had to go to the first Fleadh with him.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21He couldn't believe that there was people playing in the street,
0:34:21 > 0:34:25expressing that thing that was their own, a sort of sense of daring.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43It's your competition time, Peter. Come on!
0:34:53 > 0:34:55- Peter, are you tired?- Aye.
0:34:55 > 0:34:59After the drones broke, we got the drones fixed.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02I'm happy about the competition.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04It'll probably be a very high standard.
0:35:04 > 0:35:09I've met a few people that are against me from America.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12And Cork and all of them places.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15They're probably better than me, like.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22I'm a wee bit nervous but, like, I have to keep my focus
0:35:22 > 0:35:25and I'm sure I'll be all right.
0:35:25 > 0:35:26Breakfast's being served.
0:35:28 > 0:35:29Just to...
0:35:30 > 0:35:34..get up there and relax and play as if I was playing at home.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38And not worry about it, I suppose.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50This weekend, 5,000 musicians from a dozen different countries
0:35:50 > 0:35:53will play in over 180 competitions.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55All with one goal in mind -
0:35:55 > 0:35:57to come home with an All-Ireland medal.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02It has taken years of practice and determination just to get here.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05And now it all comes down to just a few short minutes.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09We have, all the way from Auckland, New Zealand, Siomha Higgins,
0:36:09 > 0:36:12a big round of applause for her.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25Sinead McKenna from CCE, Clogher Valley, County Tyrone.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30Our first prize-winner, congratulations,
0:36:30 > 0:36:33Senan O Morain from Portarlington, Contae Laoise.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35Smile for the camera.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53The pipes are hard to tune at the best of times,
0:36:53 > 0:36:57but now the heat in this venue is interfering with Peter's drones.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00This almost derailed his performance at the Ulster final.
0:37:00 > 0:37:01And he's up next.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07This is the best you're going to get now, son.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11SMATTERING OF APPLAUSE
0:37:11 > 0:37:14I suppose everybody has a certain amount of expectation
0:37:14 > 0:37:16when you get into a final.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18Peter McKenna from Clogher Valley.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23You always hope that going into the competition,
0:37:23 > 0:37:25if they sit down, they'll be relaxed,
0:37:25 > 0:37:27and that they'll play and enjoy the competition.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02There's always that nice sense in all of them of achievement
0:38:02 > 0:38:05and the enjoyment of going to compete
0:38:05 > 0:38:06on the big stage of the All-Ireland.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11Like, all within themselves have an element of hope
0:38:11 > 0:38:14that they can take it one step further.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28Peter would be very confident and hopeful that maybe, you know,
0:38:28 > 0:38:32the adjudicator might think that their style might be good enough.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36You just don't know how it goes on the day. We've all had them
0:38:36 > 0:38:39experiences before where anything can happen in a competition.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41So enjoy the moment.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19In the top place today, Peter McKenna from County Tyrone.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:39:21 > 0:39:26SPEECH DROWNED OUT BY APPLAUSE
0:39:35 > 0:39:38These moments don't come very often, it's once-in-a-lifetime,
0:39:38 > 0:39:40it's a fantastic achievement.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44- Really proud of Peter. - Good stuff. At last!
0:39:52 > 0:39:55The competition, it was an excuse, really.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59It was more about showing the children that music can take
0:39:59 > 0:40:02you places, and you meet people, and it's fun.
0:40:05 > 0:40:10I want them to do it because of what it has meant to me over the years.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Let them listen to fantastic music, let them hear what it should
0:40:13 > 0:40:17sound like, gently encourage, and make it fun and a social thing.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22And, hopefully, another 25 years, they'll be doing the same.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24Number five, Justin Quinn.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27OK, thank you.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35The competition itself is awful.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39That, about having everything relying on five minutes,
0:40:39 > 0:40:41whether you forget the tune halfway through
0:40:41 > 0:40:43and start playing a different tune in the middle.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47It's kind of like running down a hill
0:40:47 > 0:40:49faster than you feel comfortable doing it.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14It was what it always is.
0:41:14 > 0:41:15A painful task.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18But, you know, I enjoyed it.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23The purpose of it was to bring us to the Fleadh, really.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25They've got a taste for it now.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28Those five fiddles that are sitting in the house should be
0:41:28 > 0:41:30getting picked up when we get home.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03We really enjoyed the performance,
0:42:03 > 0:42:09so, this year's 2013 All-Ireland Senior Banjo Champion is Tomas Quinn.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11WILD CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:42:17 > 0:42:20I'm over the moon, absolutely delighted.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24Good feeling, relief, all the hard work put in has paid off.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26I'm thinking about leaving now. That's me.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28I've been waiting for that for a long, long time.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33I think that'll do me now. I've got an All-Ireland, I'm happy now.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52The ceili band competition actually started,
0:42:52 > 0:42:53half an hour in there at the moment.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55Most of them are up there at the moment.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58We are the last to finish after the duet, so...
0:42:58 > 0:42:59All right, we're going now.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05Heart? Hundred mile an hour job.
0:43:15 > 0:43:17I think I've never heard a performance that blew me away
0:43:17 > 0:43:19as much as the winner of this competition today.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22Flawless performance, especially on a saxophone.
0:43:22 > 0:43:24Una Campbell.
0:43:41 > 0:43:42I was very nervous for her.
0:43:42 > 0:43:45I know how it feels because I used to play in the All-Ireland,
0:43:45 > 0:43:47but I was never lucky enough to win a medal.
0:43:56 > 0:43:59Have they just started? Have the ceili bands just started?
0:43:59 > 0:44:02It says they started at eight o'clock.
0:44:02 > 0:44:05Well, if they are number ten, they won't get...
0:44:05 > 0:44:08With the Ceili Band competition having overrun,
0:44:08 > 0:44:10the McKennas have only just made it back in time
0:44:10 > 0:44:15to defend their All-Ireland title in the Trios event.
0:44:15 > 0:44:16APPLAUSE
0:44:20 > 0:44:22When you go into a competition
0:44:22 > 0:44:26it's not about taking home a winner's medal, it's about the taking part.
0:44:26 > 0:44:28It's about going in there and enjoying it.
0:44:28 > 0:44:31Win, lose or draw, you're still the same musician
0:44:31 > 0:44:33going in through the doors as coming out.
0:44:54 > 0:44:58Our first prize-winner is the winner of the Trios 12-15,
0:44:58 > 0:45:01this year are Amy Ni Mhurchu...
0:45:01 > 0:45:03CHEERING
0:45:05 > 0:45:08Fleadhs can go one way or the other.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11At the end of the day you come home and play your music
0:45:11 > 0:45:12and that's what it's all about.
0:45:17 > 0:45:20I'm sure they're disappointed, obviously,
0:45:20 > 0:45:23but they've got second in the Ceili Band 15-18,
0:45:23 > 0:45:24and Peter has won the day,
0:45:24 > 0:45:27so they've taken a lot of positives out of it as well.
0:45:28 > 0:45:31- Congratulations.- Thank you.
0:46:01 > 0:46:05Number 9 in your programme, Christopher Maguire from Fermanagh.
0:46:07 > 0:46:10I've been going to Fleadh these last couple of years.
0:46:10 > 0:46:13I've got a couple of seconds, to great accordion players.
0:46:15 > 0:46:18Just have to go in and play your four tunes as well as you can.
0:46:18 > 0:46:22All the competitors, everyone's at a high standard,
0:46:22 > 0:46:24so everybody's looking for the All-Ireland title.
0:46:26 > 0:46:30You're in this big, massive room and there's people just watching you.
0:46:30 > 0:46:33They're like policemen for music, you know? They're just watching,
0:46:33 > 0:46:36and you just have to perform your best, like.
0:46:36 > 0:46:38HE PLAYS ACCORDION
0:47:11 > 0:47:15You're pulling and pushing buttons and each button is two notes.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18Once you learn it at a young age, you'll always have it.
0:47:20 > 0:47:23When you're a senior player, you're still learning, at my age, like.
0:47:39 > 0:47:41You have to know the song.
0:47:41 > 0:47:43You have to put a feeling into the tune.
0:47:43 > 0:47:45You have to imagine that you're singing it, in the accordion.
0:48:24 > 0:48:28Reel playing, I put down here, was just excellent.
0:48:28 > 0:48:30An excellent performance.
0:48:30 > 0:48:32First place and this year's All-Ireland Champion
0:48:32 > 0:48:34is Christopher Maguire.
0:48:34 > 0:48:35APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:48:41 > 0:48:44I know what this has meant to him for the last year.
0:48:44 > 0:48:45It's been absolutely amazing.
0:48:45 > 0:48:49I started crying as soon as they called it out and I couldn't stop.
0:48:51 > 0:48:54You can really see it as a huge weight lifting off his shoulders
0:48:54 > 0:48:56when he had finished the last note.
0:48:56 > 0:48:57Yes!
0:48:57 > 0:49:00APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:49:00 > 0:49:03When I heard my name called out I was at the top balcony
0:49:03 > 0:49:07and oh, I jumped, nearly four foot. I was over the moon.
0:49:07 > 0:49:11I've been knocking on the door for a long time,
0:49:11 > 0:49:14I've had three seconds, and I thought, "I have to do it this year."
0:49:15 > 0:49:20It's going to be an emotional band whenever he's sitting on stage now!
0:49:20 > 0:49:23It's not often a band has got the Senior All-Ireland box champion,
0:49:23 > 0:49:26so, eh, I hope that's going to give us a great boost.
0:49:28 > 0:49:30MUSIC PLAYS
0:49:30 > 0:49:32MUFFLED TANNOY ANNOUNCEMENT
0:49:41 > 0:49:48The official estimate of the attendance at the Fleadh this year
0:49:48 > 0:49:55is the record, staggering 430,000 people.
0:49:55 > 0:49:56APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:50:01 > 0:50:04I welcome each and every one, including our guests,
0:50:04 > 0:50:06to the Senior Ceili Band competition.
0:50:06 > 0:50:08CEILI BAND PLAYS
0:50:11 > 0:50:15This is the event that crowns and closes the Fleadh every year.
0:50:15 > 0:50:17The one the crowds flock to.
0:50:17 > 0:50:19The Senior Ceili Band competition.
0:50:30 > 0:50:34See once you hit the All-Ireland bands, there's not a bad band in it.
0:50:34 > 0:50:37They're all savage bands.
0:50:37 > 0:50:41It is completely down to the five adjudicators what they want to do.
0:50:44 > 0:50:46MUFFLED CHATTER
0:50:46 > 0:50:49There is a good wee rivalry between all of us.
0:50:49 > 0:50:51It is kind of cut-throat when it comes down to it.
0:50:51 > 0:50:55Friendships and relationships can be put aside for an hour or two.
0:50:57 > 0:50:59I always think back to the first year
0:50:59 > 0:51:02I competed in the Senior All-Ireland competition.
0:51:02 > 0:51:05It was the first time we'd really played in a venue that size
0:51:05 > 0:51:08with the TV cameras on you and everything.
0:51:08 > 0:51:12Now, have we St Roch's Ceili Band all the way from Glasgow?
0:51:12 > 0:51:15We got on stage, started playing, couldn't hear a thing.
0:51:15 > 0:51:19I couldn't hear myself, couldn't hear any of the rest of the band.
0:51:19 > 0:51:20It was awful.
0:51:20 > 0:51:23And now this is my eighth in a row.
0:51:23 > 0:51:27Last year I let the emotion get to me.
0:51:27 > 0:51:30Because it was the first time I thought the band
0:51:30 > 0:51:34had really done itself justice at that level.
0:51:34 > 0:51:39I started crying after the jigs. I came off in floods of tears.
0:51:40 > 0:51:44I'm going to try and keep my emotions in check this year.
0:51:51 > 0:51:55The competition itself is unlike anything else you can think of.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58Everyone that's in the competition is there
0:51:58 > 0:52:01because they want to be Senior Ceili Band champions.
0:52:01 > 0:52:02Many won't admit it,
0:52:02 > 0:52:05but that's definitely the goal at the start of the year.
0:52:20 > 0:52:21Our version of the tradition
0:52:21 > 0:52:24isn't the same as you would get here in Derry
0:52:24 > 0:52:26or in other regions of the country.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28We've got our own kind of style on it.
0:52:42 > 0:52:44Scottish music's huge where we're from,
0:52:44 > 0:52:48and it's inevitable that there'll be wee bits of it that'll creep in.
0:52:52 > 0:52:54CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:52:56 > 0:52:59For us, we are custodians of a tradition overseas, I suppose.
0:53:02 > 0:53:03Thank you.
0:53:07 > 0:53:09I think it went quite well.
0:53:09 > 0:53:10Pretty pleased.
0:53:10 > 0:53:12No-one's in tears, so that's a good sign.
0:53:15 > 0:53:17Thank you.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20Now could we have Knockmore Ceili Band,
0:53:20 > 0:53:22Fermanagh, please?
0:53:22 > 0:53:25The last couple of years we went into the All Ireland,
0:53:25 > 0:53:27we gave a really good account of ourselves.
0:53:27 > 0:53:29There will be pressure, of course,
0:53:29 > 0:53:32cos there's going to be 2,000 people watching you.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35You have four tunes, and I start them.
0:53:35 > 0:53:37I'm the one that gives the intro to the taps
0:53:37 > 0:53:40and starts the band off, so that's a wee bit of pressure.
0:53:42 > 0:53:43OK.
0:53:52 > 0:53:55See once you play the first one, the rest of it falls into place.
0:54:10 > 0:54:12We do it for each other.
0:54:12 > 0:54:15That's it, I suppose. First and foremost,
0:54:15 > 0:54:17it's for the ten of us in that band.
0:54:17 > 0:54:18We do it for each of us.
0:54:31 > 0:54:34The Senior Ceili Bands, it is the Holy Grail.
0:54:34 > 0:54:37If you look at the All Ireland Fleadh, the Ceili Bands,
0:54:37 > 0:54:40the Senior Ceili Bands is the most competition of anyone
0:54:40 > 0:54:41out of the whole Fleadh.
0:54:56 > 0:54:59You'd love to be standing on the stage at the end of the night
0:54:59 > 0:55:00with that trophy, you know?
0:55:02 > 0:55:05But at the end of the day, it's all down to who's sitting at the table.
0:55:11 > 0:55:14CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:55:20 > 0:55:21Thank you, Fermanagh.
0:55:23 > 0:55:25A wee bit quick, like. That's down to me, too.
0:55:25 > 0:55:27I started it and everything else took off.
0:55:27 > 0:55:29I probably started it a fraction quick,
0:55:29 > 0:55:31and it just went...it went on.
0:55:31 > 0:55:34But saying that, I know it was fast, but we held it together very well.
0:55:34 > 0:55:36It probably wouldn't be our best performance,
0:55:36 > 0:55:38but in the end it's just on the day, isn't it?
0:55:42 > 0:55:45We have a recall.
0:55:45 > 0:55:48This is a very rare occurrence - two bands have tied.
0:55:48 > 0:55:50Moylurg and Knockmore.
0:55:50 > 0:55:52CHEERING
0:55:52 > 0:55:55Now both bands must go head-to-head.
0:55:55 > 0:55:59One tune is all that stands between them and All-Ireland glory.
0:56:12 > 0:56:14CHEERING
0:56:19 > 0:56:20CHEERING
0:56:20 > 0:56:23Thank you. Thank you, Ros Comain.
0:56:23 > 0:56:27Now if we can have Knockmore on stage, please.
0:56:27 > 0:56:28CHEERING
0:56:49 > 0:56:51CHEERING
0:57:03 > 0:57:06And in second place we have Knockmore.
0:57:09 > 0:57:13You know the winners now, in first place,
0:57:13 > 0:57:172013 Ceili Band Winners, Moylurg.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19CHEERING
0:57:22 > 0:57:24Second band, come on stage.
0:57:30 > 0:57:31I really, really wanted it.
0:57:31 > 0:57:34You know, I'd been there or thereabouts the last couple of years,
0:57:34 > 0:57:36and I really wanted it.
0:57:36 > 0:57:38One, two, three...
0:57:38 > 0:57:39CHEERING
0:57:40 > 0:57:43We said, you know, we've gave it a good shot, we've played our best.
0:57:43 > 0:57:46If that's enough, it is. If not, we'll try again.
0:57:48 > 0:57:50Thanks for cheering.
0:57:55 > 0:57:59It's more the music that binds everyone, not the competition.
0:57:59 > 0:58:01Obviously the competition is music and it's got a part in it,
0:58:01 > 0:58:04but it's more as a chance to see these people -
0:58:04 > 0:58:06people that want to play tunes.
0:58:06 > 0:58:08They just want to play music.
0:58:12 > 0:58:15And they'll do it all again next year.
0:58:15 > 0:58:17Derry's Fleadh is almost over.
0:58:17 > 0:58:19Next summer belongs to Sligo.
0:58:19 > 0:58:23But the city and all who came here will never forget.
0:58:23 > 0:58:27The journey for the competitors and their families is over for now,
0:58:27 > 0:58:30but the friendships and the music will endure.
0:58:33 > 0:58:36Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd