Pictured just before going on stage to compete at the Ulster Fleadh in Dungiven were Banna Ceoil Gaolta. Back row: Sarah O'Kane, Louise O'Kane, Michael Lavin, Aileen Geoghegan, Lisa Geoghegan, Peter Marquis, and Kate Marquis. Front row: Barry Geoghegan, Breege Geoghegan, and Aoife Geoghega

Winning's in the genes for Gaolta

Published: Thu 4 Aug 2011, 9:30 AM

Last updated: Thu 4 Aug 2011, 12:32 PM

The Ulster Fleadh, saw a remarkable achievement in the Senior Céilí Band Competition. Banna Ceoil Gaolta came through a very tight contest in Dungiven, Co Derry on Sunday, July 24 to win the right to compete in the All-Ireland Final in Cavan Town in the coming weeks. Nothing remarkable there, just another ceili band you may think. However this Ceili Band is made up of members from the same extended family; hence the name Gaolta meaning relations! The band is under the umbrella of the Geoghegan family, originally from Lough Egish, Co Monaghan and still led by 'Granny Mollie' at the age of 94. Her two sons and six daughters have their own families now and they make up the band: Lisa, Aileen, Breege and Aoife Geoghegan (Cavan), Sarah and Louise O'Kane (Ballybay), Barry Geoghegan (Lough Egish), Peter and Kate Marquis (Carrickmacross) and Michael Lavin (Derry). Watch out for them in 'The Dome' at the All Ireland Fleadh Ceoil in Cavan on Sunday, August 21.