Fib, thanks for the update and congratulations to Ella.

The Shepherdstown, West Virginia crowd has a few placers too, for the competition in Listowel. Coming in first in the New York Fleadh qualifiying rounds for Tenor Banjo is Emily Martin, with her dad Carl coming in third in Mandolin. And Arjuna Balaranjun (Mom is Irish, Dad is Sri Lankan) came in first in Flute and Tin Whistle.

This should be a lot of fun for everyone, and I wish every one their best playing of the year, even if they don't place in Ireland.

Now if I can just raise Sabine when she returns from the "All-Irish Descendant Pub Crawl", to cull the latest info on the places to play before and after the Fleadh. She should be back in the States any day now, and promised a full report (what she can remember, anyhow...).

And Fib and Ella, I hope to meet you both in Listowel. Good Luck!