A LOCAL boy is celebrating his achievements at a traditional music cornpetion, where he won four gold medals and a silver.

12 - year-old Liam McCullagh, from Lambeg, was victorious at the provincial level traditional music competition, the Ulster Fleadh Cheoil, which was held in Castlewellan on July 26 and 27.

Liam, who attended St. Colman's Primary and will be joining Rathmore Grammar in September, took the gold in the U12 uilleann pipes, U12 uilleann pipes slow air, U12 trio along with Caoimhe Flanagan on tin whistle and Bronagh Muldoon on fiddle) and U12 group, as part of the Loch Lao traditional group). He was also awarded silver in the U12 duet competition along with Caoimhe Flanagan on tin whistle.

Liam will now go on to represent Ulster in the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Tullamore, Co. Offaly on August 23 and 24, where he will compete in five separate competitions as an individual, duet, trio and group member.

Liam has been playing the uileann pipes for two years with his tutor is Patrick Davey in Belfast. The pipes are Ireland's most distinctive traditional instrument and are recognised in piping circles as the most advanced form of bagpipe in the world.

Liam comes from a musical family, with his older sister Catherine (15) previously competing at the All Ireland Fleadh on the concert flute while his younger sister Rose (7) plays fiddle and tin whistle. Rose won best overall musician at the Glens Feis in Dunloy this year in her age group.

All three are members of The Loch Lao Traditional Music Society. All members of the group regularly participate in a range of other events including concerts, visits to care homes and schools and other performances.

Ulster Star
22/08/2008