Design by Dungloe’s Clara Bonner (11) wins Fleadh Cheoil Competition

Eleven-year-old Clara Bonner’s design for Fleadh Cheoil was chosen as the top prize, which will now be used as the official logo for the county’s Fleadh Cheoil 2024. 

The ceremony took place in Ionad Teampall Chróine in Dungloe, on Wednesday night. Dungloe native Clara’s came out on top from the 130 entries.

Clara attends Scoil Chróine in Dungloe and is currently in fifth class. The Fleadh Cheoil, An Clochán Liath logo competition, involved several schools from across the Rosses. 

The Fleadh will take place in Dungloe from May 10-12 and will attract competitors, musicians, singers, bands and cultural enthusiasts from across the county.

In the competition, students were asked to complete a logo for the Fleadh, which had to be related to the town or area itself - in this case, The Rosses - and include a musical element.

“Clara thought of the troll on the RiverWalk in Dungloe and that came to her mind, she decided then to draw a harp as well,” Marie Bonner, Clara’s mum revealed.  “Clara’s was the one that was chosen because they said it really stood out.

“There has always been a lot of influence and inspiration around her, her grandad is artistic and musical, as well as that her cousin, JohnPaul Bonner is studying contemporary art at ATU Galway and her cousin Caoimhe Coll teaches art, animation and Irish in Dublin.

“Although Clara has always had an artistic mind, she always has had that creative mind and loves to always be involved in activities such as the NYP and the school choir. She also loves to read and she plays the tin whistle and the fiddle.

“Her teacher Terrence Gallagher is also very good at art and his art has been displayed in Caislean Oir Hotel. He is always very pleased with her artwork.

“At the awards ceremony, Clara was presented with her logo and it was in a lovely frame and she was so delighted.”