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Photography : Ken Wright Last Updated: 2, Apr 2018 - 10:02


Celebrity Sean Nós
By Ken Wright
12, Apr 2014 - 08:22

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If what we saw on stage on Friday night 21 March 2014 in the Welcome Inn Hotel is anything like what we can expect when the Connacht Fleadh Cheoil rolls into Castlebar next July then the faster it comes the better. It certainly is something to look forward to. Hundreds of people packed into the Welcome Inn Hotel to see Belcarra man, Noel Rowland, crowned "Celebrity Sean Nós Champion 2014".
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And what a worthy champion Noel was. Noel showed a nimbleness of foot that no one ever thought he possessed. His performance on stage would put many a professional Sean Nós dancer to shame. Indeed the same could be said for most of the celebrities who took to the stage that night. They all did themselves proud. Gina Kelly had a distinct style of her own and got the show off to a brilliant start. Freda Nic Ghiolla Chatháin, a Gnó Mhaigh Eo employee from Moate in Co Westmeath showed that the sean nós is alive and well and won top dancer prize on the night.
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Pictured at the Celebrity Sean Nós held in the Welcome Inn Hotel to raise funds for Fleadh Cheoil Chonnacht which will be held in Caisleán an Bharraigh from 30th Meitheamh - 6th Iúil 2014, celebrity dancer for the evening Noel Rowland entertained the audience with his comic routine. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2014.


Gerry Tolster would be better known for pulling pints but on Friday night he pulled out all the stops. Adrian Gavin is a psychologist of renown and his feet were firmly on the ground but his deftness of foot was there for all to see. He was ably matched by Antoinnette Starken who brought her pantomime skills along on the night. Bernard Boyle has spent his life climbing poles with Eircom but his feet were firmly on the ground on Friday night.
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Pictured at the Celebrity Sean Nós held in the Welcome Inn Hotel to raise funds for Fleadh Cheoil Chonnacht which will be held in Caisleán an Bharraigh from 30th Meitheamh - 6th Iúil 2014, celebrity dancers for the evening l-r; Toni Bourke, Bernard Boyle, Gina Kelly, Antoinette Starkin & Noel Rowland. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2014.


Shauna Hennessy flew in all the way from west Clare and brought everyone to their feet with her performance. Toni Bourke was always known as a top class dancer and she mastered the Sean Nós like a duck to water. The dancing of Ann Barrett showed what is needed to run a top class hotel in the busy tourist season. She will never be stuck for an entertainer in the hotel.
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Pictured at the Celebrity Sean Nós held in the Welcome Inn Hotel to raise funds for Fleadh Cheoil Chonnacht which will be held in Caisleán an Bharraigh from 30th Meitheamh - 6th Iúil 2014, Jude, Tara & Florence enjoying the show. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2014.


All money raised on the night goes towards the Connacht Fleadh Cheoil. Speaking after the event, Máirtín G. Ó Maicín, Chairman of the organising committee thanked all those who took part in the event. He complimented all the "celebrities" who gave freely of their time and energy this past few weeks. "It is an indication of what can be achieved when a group of people come together to achieve something for the town," he said. "The Connacht Fleadh coming to Castlebar is a big plus for the town," he added, "and I see no reason why we can't succeed in bringing the All Ireland Fleadh to Castlebar."
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Pictured at the Celebrity Sean Nós held in the Welcome Inn Hotel to raise funds for Fleadh Cheoil Chonnacht which will be held in Caisleán an Bharraigh from 30th Meitheamh - 6th Iúil 2014, James & Megan Meehan enjoying the show. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2014.


Also performing on the night were the Rolling Waves U 15 Grúpa Ceoil, John and Mollie Granahan, two exceptional young sean nos dancers from Partry, Mayo Senior Scór Ballad Group champions comprising Adrian Gavin, Loretta O Malley, Ailís Gavin, Pádraig Gannon and Liam O Connell.
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Pictured at the Celebrity Sean Nós held in the Welcome Inn Hotel to raise funds for Fleadh Cheoil Chonnacht which will be held in Caisleán an Bharraigh from 30th Meitheamh - 6th Iúil 2014, Bridie McLoughlin, Mary Forde and Gerhard Sestits enjoying the show. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2014.


Liam Scanlon and Charlene Morrisson gave a stunning sean nós display and the special guest on the night was Anthony "Larry" Finnerty who brought the house down with his hilarious display of dancing. Music on the night was provided by Tommy Doherty on the accordion, Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín on the fiddle, Colman Munnelly on the banjo and Micheál Healy on the guitar. The whole night was joined up superbly by the king of comedy himself, Frank Forde, who had them rolling in the aisles. Celebrity Sean Nós was a Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann promotion.

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Pictured at the Celebrity Sean Nós held in the Welcome Inn Hotel to raise funds for Fleadh Cheoil Chonnacht which will be held in Caisleán an Bharraigh from 30th Meitheamh - 6th Iúil 2014, Rita & Darina Moran enjoying the show. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2014.


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Pictured at the Celebrity Sean Nós held in the Welcome Inn Hotel to raise funds for Fleadh Cheoil Chonnacht which will be held in Caisleán an Bharraigh from 30th Meitheamh - 6th Iúil 2014, celebrity dancers for the evening l-r; Adrian Gavin, Ann Barret, Freda Nic Ghiolla Chatháin, Shauna Hennessy and Gerry Tolster. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2014.


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Pictured at the Celebrity Sean Nós held in the Welcome Inn Hotel to raise funds for Fleadh Cheoil Chonnacht which will be held in Caisleán an Bharraigh from 30th Meitheamh - 6th Iúil 2014, l-r; Adrian gavin, Toni Bourke & Gerry Tolster entertained the audience with a comic routine. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2014.


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Pictured at the Celebrity Sean Nós held in the Welcome Inn Hotel to raise funds for Fleadh Cheoil Chonnacht which will be held in Caisleán an Bharraigh from 30th Meitheamh - 6th Iúil 2014, Padraig Egan, vice chairman Comhaltas Connacht Council making a presentation to Freda Nic Ghiolla Chatháin best dancer of the evening. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2014.

 



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