Castletown Accordion Orchestra 
Castletown Accordion Orchestra with members from Meath, Cavan & Kildare, once again travelled to the European Accordion Festival held in Prague from March 20-23.  They entered 2 sections, the Junior (which they won in 2006) and the Light Music Section. They were placed 2nd out of 9 in the Junior which they were delighted with as the standard this year had jumped tremendously from the previous time.  In the Light Music Section, they were placed 5th out of 9.  This was the first time they had entered this section.  The orchestras placed above them were of a very high standard and the majority of them also competed in the Adult Classical section.
 

Whilst in Prague, they were invited to play at the Irish Embassy.  This was an immense honour for the Orchestra.  The College of Music Prague, the American Embassy and the Luxemburg Embassy were all within earshot and enjoyed the performance immensely.  They also played at the opening concert in Liben Castle and the gala concert, held in the beautiful surroundings of the church of St. Simon and Judas, home of the Prague Symphony Orchestra.  They also played in the church of St. Salvator.  After the festival finished, they travelled down to Southern Bohemia, to the beautiful city of Krumlov, where they played in the local convent which has been converted into a beautiful 5 star hotel.  Their next public performance will be at the All Ireland Accordion Festival which will be held in the Venue Theatre, Ratoath on the 12th and 13th April. 

Pictures byBettyBrennan