These musicians are tops, accordion to all concerned!

Accordion players from all over Ireland took part in the 14th Northern Ireland Open Accordion Championships which took place in Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim on January 29. Against strong competition, the Cavan accordion players who are part of the Castletown Accordion Orchestra scooped 12 awards: five firsts, six seconds and three third places in the solo and orchestra categories. Ranging in age from six years old up to adult, the musicians are all members of the Castletown Accordion Orchestra, who are based in Nobber, Co. Meath. They set out in the early hours of the morning to be in time for the 9.30am start of the competitions in Carrickfergus to compete in both the solo and orchestra categories against strong competition from all parts of Ireland. In the solo categories Jordan Curtis from Kingscourt won a first and second; Bronagh Carolan from Mullagh came first in her category; Katie Oates from Kingscourt also scooped a second place; the McKenna Family from Mullagh won three awards – Sarah aged seven won first in her category, Ciaran (nine) came third and big sister Kate (11) was placed second; Holly Chilton from Lisduff, Virginia scoped two second places; Michael McKeon-Boyle also from Lisduff, Virginia came second and third in the two categories he competed in. In the orchestra categories, the musicians came first in the Elementary Orchestra Category with their Junior Orchestra as well as being first in the Intermediate Orchestra Category and were honoured with being presented with the St. John's Cup. Castletown Accordion Orchestra currently has four orchestras: primary, junior, intermediate and senior. They are always looking to grow and anybody interested in joining can enroll new members by contacting Virginia based John and Yvonne Chilton at 046-9245905.