With such glorious weather, the county Fleadh in Newtownbutler at the weekend turned out to be one of the best for many years. From its opening on last Thursday night with the unveiling of a stone chair in the town and a photographic exhibition, the town was alive with music.

Over 250 competitors took part in the Fleadh competitions with the standard of music as high as it has ever been. Sessions were taking place all along the Main Street throughout the weekend with the traditional open air sessions a big hit with the Fleadh followers from evening to well into the night.

Ceilis took place on Friday and Sunday and all ages were catered for from the pram to the bus pass holder.

Sunday's band parade saw three bands: The Mountain Road, Cavanacarragh and the Lisnaskea champions Erne Islands joined in the parade by Derrygannon Craft Group, from Roslea, who brought along ponies and carts to add to the atmosphere of the Fleadh.

Dozens of musicians from throughout the country descended on the town for Sunday afternoon following the band parade and some travelled as far as Donegal and Antrim to take part in the sessions.

The Fleadh commemorative song journal will still be available this week in local shops and was a great seller among the ballad singers.

As Sunday night wound to a close, hundreds of Fleadh followers had experienced a wonderful Fleadh that will be talked about for some time to come.