Atlanta Student Named World Champion in Irish Fiddle

Patrick Finley was awarded a first place trophy in the 15-18 Irish Fiddle at The All-Ireland World Music competition that took place in Ennis, Ireland on August 20th 2016. The competition, referred to in the Irish language as Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, is held annually in Ireland and is open to musicians, singers and dancers who have placed in regional or national competitions throughout the world.

Patrick Finley, a rising junior at the Atlanta International School, began playing violin at an early age. He was introduced to Irish Music by his Irish grandparents and local traditional Irish fiddle teacher, Katherine Irwin Thomas.

As Patrick advanced in his playing, he sought out other influences and became a student of Oisίn Mac Diarmada. From Sligo, Ireland, Oisίn won both the junior and senior world championships in Irish Fiddle and is an international recording artist and teacher.

“When Patrick asked me if I would teach him over skype, I told him it would be the first time I taught that way,” said Oisίn Mac Diarmada. “I am very proud of Patrick, he is a wonderful young man and he gave a fantastic performance at the competition. Patrick is developing his own style of Irish Music, something that the judges look for in a competition of this standard”.

At six years old he joined the Atlanta Irish Music School and became the youngest member of the Atlanta Junior Ceili Band. “Patrick loved learning new tunes and was able to easily learn the music ‘by ear’ which is the Irish way,” Irwin Thomas said. “Only five first place awards out of nearly two hundred events went to competitors from the United States. Patrick is Atlanta’s first ever All-Ireland champion!”

Sixteen students from the Atlanta Irish Music School qualified for the All-Ireland and four students competed in the competition including Hollie Greenwood and sisters, Madeline, Sarah and Charlotte Ling.”

Patrick’s parents, Teresa and Foster Finley, are very active in the Atlanta Irish Community. Teresa is Board Chair for IrishFest Atlanta (www.irishfestatlanta.org). Teresa is Chief Marketing and Business Services Officer at UPS. Foster is a Managing Director with AlixPartners.

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