My Story

17th of September 2024

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“My name is Brigid Rose McKendry. I am 11 years old and a member of St James the Great CCE based in Pollock, Glasgow. I’ve been with the branch now for over 6 years playing the whistle and fiddle. I have been playing the Harp for 10 months. I started because it was the local Branch my parents Danny and Roslynn met, and where my family still go regularly. Classes take place on Monday evenings at St. Paul's High School and I really enjoyed the friendly atmosphere.  

On the 3rd of August, we travelled from Scotland to Wexford via Dublin where I visited my little cousin Aidan. Although I had been at All-Ireland 2023 Mullingar as a spectator last year this was my first time competing in the Fleadh. I had qualified from the All-Britain 2024 St.Helens in the Under 12 Harp Slow Airs and Under 12 Ceili Band competitions. 

It was also my first time attending the Scoil Eigse, which I had heard so much about. It didn't disappoint! I got the chance to make some new friends and learn new tunes from some great tutors, including Deirdre Murphy, Siofra Hanley, and Grainne Hambly at the beautiful St Peter's College. At the end of the week, I really enjoyed taking part in the big concert at the GAA stadium with other members of Comhaltas. We also saw the Guiness World Record for the largest amount of whistles playing continuously for 5 minutes taking place.

It wasn't just me who competed that came from my family. My brother, Seamus, played in the Under 15 Ceili Bands, and my Dad, Danny, in the Senior Grupa Cheoil competition. My Granda Danny Sr, who used to compete in the Fiddle Slow Airs passed away last year, but I think that he would be proud of us all. 

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​I was a bit nervous before I started my competition but I had practised a lot over the summer and I got lots of help from my branch tutors Jemma and Maria so I knew I was well prepared. My family and I went to the competition room early to get used to the atmosphere, but to be honest the Scoil Eigse had given me the confidence to be able to compete on that level for the first time. New competitors should try out Scoil Eigse and the All-Ireland Fleadh because the experience is both exciting and friendly. You will meet lots of people and grow in confidence. It also meant that I was quite relaxed playing with my friends in the Ceili bands the next day too!

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Several others from our branch also competed in bands and solo competitions at all ages, and we were so delighted to celebrate two All-Ireland Champions, Micheal Dudgeon Senior Piano Accordion and Dominic Smith Under 12 Banjo.

Not only did we enjoy the Fleadh but Wexford is a great place for a family holiday. We stayed in Monamolin near the beautiful Morriscastle beach, and we visited places such as Enniscorthy, Gorey, Hook Light House, Tintern Abbey, Kilmore, Lady's Island, and the Heritage Park. We also had our very own St James The Great CCE Vikings visiting Wexford by yacht. Philip Docherty and Paddy Campbell moored at the quayside and became an attraction in their own right. I think that they are still on the high seas according to my Dad!

I am looking forward to coming back to Wexford next year.