Kilcoole Music Festival a triumph for musicians

The winners and those commended in the Pat Byrne Memorial Cup

Maeve and Aoibh O’Hanlon

William Cash (joint 3rd), Tom Wilson (joint 2nd), Charlotte Dowds (winner), Mary Cash (joint 2nd), Timofei Hrapelman (joint 3rd)

thumbnail: The winners and those commended in the Pat Byrne Memorial Cup
thumbnail: Maeve and Aoibh O’Hanlon
thumbnail: William Cash (joint 3rd), Tom Wilson (joint 2nd), Charlotte Dowds (winner), Mary Cash (joint 2nd), Timofei Hrapelman (joint 3rd)
© Bray People

Solo singers, musicians and choirs took part in another wonderful Kilcoole Music Festival in the village, over the course of November 19 to 24.

Sylvia O'Regan was the judge for the choral competition, which took place at Colaiste Craobh Abhann,

She was blown away with the standard produced on the day in a number of classes.

Participants travelled from all over the country to take part in the festival.

While there are competitions open to adults, this year there were entrants for just the children's and young people's classes.

The choirs performed a range of music from classical right through to contemporary modern.

Sylvia O'Regan was also the judge for the Pat Byrne Memorial Cup, a competition specifically for the children of the parish.

The areas include Newcastle, Kilquade, Kilcoole and Newtown.

For the vocal competition, the participants each sung a set piece, which was Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Again, the judge was very impressed by the high standard.

Other competitions were held for those playing piano, guitar, violin and cello, as well as orchestras.

The programme over the week was packed and delivered a range of music styles. Participants ranged in age from seven to 19.

This was the 64th festival, and the fourth under the eye of the current committee and secretary Mary Hanley.

They all hope that the festival will continue to grow and flourish.