Published: Wednesday, 25th August, 2010 5:00pm

Fourth Fleadh win for musicall Tubberclair girl

by Deirdre Verney

Not many people can even lay claim to one All-Ireland title in their lifetime, but last weekend a Tubberclair musician collected her fourth in a row, all at the tender age of 20!

Continuing an amazing record at Fleadh Cheoil na Éireann, Audrey Murphy from Ross, Glasson, Tubberclair, emerged victorious again at in the Tin Whistle Slow Airs Over 18 competition for the second year running, to win her fourth consecutive All-Ireland, the second at that grade, a huge achievement that will undoubtedly delight traditional music lovers across Westmeath.

"The competition was really tough. I wasn't sure I'd get anything at all because the standard was so high this year. I was lucky to get gold again," Audrey told the Westmeath Independent, adding that her competition in Cavan at the weekend attracted participants from countries like Japan, America, England and people from all over Ireland.

Playing music since she was a mere five years old and competing in the Fleadh every year with distinction from the age of nine, the Tubberclair woman is a member of the nearby Moate Comhaltas group, and is well known face from their regular seisiúns in Dún na Sí every Sunday night during July and August. An accomplished Irish dancer and music teacher, Audrey also showed her steps this year to visitors and music enthusiasts alike at seisiúns over the holiday months in Mullingar, as well as playing a tune!

"It was a really good Fleadh this year, there was a great atmosphere in Cavan. I was delighted to get the All-Ireland again" Audrey, the daughter Padraig and Marie Murphy, reflected this week on her achievement. Any talk of a fifth in a row in 2011 has been banished though, as the Tubberclair native is unsure of whether she will be able to participate next year as she will be on work placement as part of her third year of her Law and Accounting studies in the University of Limerick.

But for now, the 20-year-old is happy to bask in the glory of a fourth All-Ireland title at the world's largest traditional music event by taking a well earned break before heading back to college in the autumn.

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