World Championships Day 2

We got up and out the door this morning for our last day at the Fleadh and another day of competition. Ellie’s singing competitions were, just like Gwen, scheduled at exactly the same time in 2 different locations all the way across town from each other. Additionally Gwen and Ellie’s events later in the day were going to conflict making it difficult for Jay and me to get to see both girls’ remaining competitions.

Dad and I sat down a couple of times with maps and charts trying to figure out the best way to navigate

getting around to the different events and where to leave the “getaway car” to try to get the best chance of making it to see Gwen’s Groupai Cheoil after Ellie’s duet.

We started out with dropping off the conflict sheet in the singing room and then headed to Lilting. Ellie was amazing. She was nervous but she got up and simply sparkled while she was lilting. Her voice was strong, clear, and flexible and she sounded so confident!

We headed over to the singing venue and in just a couple of singers Ellie was called. I think it was harder for Ellie than Gwen to do both of her events back to back. She had a small memory slip at the end of her first song and my mama heart nearly broke and I worried she wouldn’t be able to sing her second song. But she rallied and gave a terrific performance of Free and Easy. Afterwards she was

mad at herself for the memory slip but relieved it was Over.

We headed into town to try to find Gwen’s award from yesterday’s competition and to see the main drag one more time. On the walk from the car to the Fleadh headquarters, Eimear texted me that Ellie received the BRONZE medal in Lilting! We couldn’t believe that two girls from America who hadn’t even lilted before a few months ago had medaled in the lilting competition! The girls would have been totally happy for each other if only one of them had medaled, but it sure made my heart happy that both of them were receiving medals.

It was a “wild goose chase” to figure out where to find Gwen’s medal and we kept being told by different people that it was in a different location. Finally we found a great guy who seemed like he really did know how to find it and he said he’d have it at the 2:00 award ceremony if Ellie could come and receive hers and Gwen’s on her behalf since she had to be at her Groupai competition location.

Next on our list was dropping off the knitting needles that Gwen had borrowed form the lady at Knit One Purl One earlier in the week. She had finished her beanie earlier

in the day. The shop owner was so excited to see Gwen and see that she had finished the beanie and when Gwen handed the knitting needles back, the lady refused to take them. She said “they’re yours now” and Gwen got adorably emotional. She’ll always treasure those needles and every time she knits with them she’ll remember the story of us being here.

Mom has been asking Gwen for ages to make her a beanie so she picked out yarn from that shop and bought it so she’ll have a hat to wear and remember our adventure.

We headed up to the city centre and got some lunch and mom got a Fleadh sweatshirt. Mom also found out that if you order "kebob" apparently here it is a giant wrap thing...not meat on a stick. Jay was in a singing session

but met us in front of the Cathedral and we made sure everyone knew where they were going for the afternoon.

Mom, Jay, and Gwen headed to the Mullingar Park Hotel for her to change and compete in Groupai Cheoil. Ellie and I went to her award ceremony. She was the first American of the ceremony to get an award and they really made a big deal over her being from the States and medaling.

We then walked a bit more and of course had to get one final latte at the Spiced Bean. The owner, Aidan was so excited to hear about Ellie's medal. My latte was on the house as a parting gift and he even showed off Ellie's medal to the staff...and when he returned it to her, he'd tucked a 2, euro coin behind it for her! We had to snap a selfie with him after Ellie lilted a little bit for him as a thank you. We headed back to the Cathedral and got ready for Ellie and Caitlin's duet. They played really well! When we left the room, it was bananas as we ran to the car. We had to drop Caitlin and her mom off for Caitlin's next event before zipping off to the Groupai event at the hotel. We made it just in time! We stood at the door while

the group before SLIA finished.

SLIA played well and I was so proud that Gwen was up on that stage with such an amazing group of musicians. After the performance we all had dinner together at the hotel which was a perfect way to wrap up our experience at the Fleadh.