The Aggie Boys Choir has come second in the Pan Celtic International Song Contest, recently held in Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

The Aggie Boys Choir won ‘Kan Rag Kernow’ back in January for the chance to represent Cornwall’s language and culture at the Pan Celtic Festival with their song “Meur ras Kernow”. This was the first time Aggie Boys Choir had represented Cornwall internationally, and they were narrowly beaten for the first place by a strong entry from the Isle of Man.

All entries to the Pan Celtic Song Contest must be sung in the Celtic language of the country they represent, and MAGA, the Cornish Language Partnership, offered help with writing lyrics in Cornish to people who were interested in entering a song to the competition.

The Pan Celtic Festival also chose Cornishman Dave Crewes to be president this year. He said “The Aggie Boys Choir were the best ambassadors for Cornwall. We met a lot of ministers and international representatives who appreciated Cornwall’s participation and our high standards. We want this to continue next year with strong songs and great performances.”

Sam Stephens of the Aggie Boys said “We were absolutely thrilled to have the chance to go to Northern Ireland and represent Cornwall but never in a million years did we expect to do as well as we did. Second place was like coming first for us and we certainly celebrated it well enough we made lots of friends with all the Celtic nations.”

Cornwall Council cabinet member for Economy and Culture, Julian German, said: “Many congratulations to the Aggie Boys Choir who have really done us proud. Their song writing and performing talent has helped to put Cornwall’s language and culture on the world map. Roll on next year when we will be striving for continued success."

The Kan Rag Kernow rules have changed, and so performers inspired to enter the 2015 competition need to contact Maga now on cornishlanguage@cornwall.gov.uk for a new application pack.