With just over a week to go until the All-Ireland Fleadh comes to Belfast, the best traditional musicians and dancers in Ulster have been trying to book their place in the showpiece event. This week, the Ulster Fleadh has been taking place in Warrenpoint, County Down, with organiser Jimi Quinn saying the top two in each division will have the "golden key" to get through to the Belfast finals.
Eimear Sloan, 16, is among those competing. As well as being the youth officer for Warrenpoint Comhaltas, she is an accomplished musician.
"I honestly think it is pure enjoyment, not pressure," she said. "Being brought up through the branch it's been all about community and friendship and people driving you on from behind the scenes."
The All-Ireland Fleadh is the world's largest festival of Irish music and is expected to attract 800,000 people to Belfast. The Ulster Fleadh celebrates traditional Irish music, song, dance, and culture in the province of Ulster.
Jimi Quinn is the organiser of the Ulster Fleadh
Quinn explained Friday's competitions in the Ulster Fleadh range from "all forms of dancing, sean-nós, céilí dancing, sets, reels".
"On Saturday we have all the music, language and singing competitions."
Those competitions are split into a multitude of age ranges and cover all traditional musical instruments.
"Accordions, concertinas, pipes, whistles, flutes, drums, bodhrán, céilí bands - full issue," said Quinn.
It's about making new friends
Ayman and Rayan rehearse together at home
Those categories are then subdivided into a range of age groups, and ahead of this weekend's competitions young competitors have been preparing for their shot at the big time.
Also preparing to compete are Mayobridge brothers Ayman, 12, and 13-year-old Rayan Morgan, who play the fiddle and accordion together.
Ayman says he started the fiddle four years ago and competed at the All-Ireland last year, while Rayan competed the year before.
While both are dreaming of competing in Belfast this year, Rayan says at the heart of their interest in music is "making new friends and meeting new people".
"making new friends and meeting new people"
The chance to dance at the Belfast Fleadh
Max, Maisie, Cailha and Rory have been practising their dance steps
It isn't just the musicians who have their sights set on Belfast.
Irish dancers Rory Magee, Cailha Byrne, Maisie Keenan and Max Smith are also perfecting their steps.
"It would mean a lot just to dance in the All-Ireland. It is a big deal and it's been a great way to make friends," said Cailha, who is the only dancer in the group who hasn't competed in the All-Ireland finals.
All of the group say they got involved because of older siblings or family members.
"I got into it through my sister and started when I was about seven."
Rory said he "really didn't have any choice" after his older siblings took part.
"It's been some of the best days of our lives," he added. "We've travelled every other year so for it to be in Belfast will be different."
The Ulster Fleadh runs until Sunday.
Ulster Fleadh brings a week of music and dance to Warrenpoint
Belfast city centre to have car-free zone during fleadh
The 14-year-old who can play seven instruments - tuning up for the fleadh
