Three Kildare winners in this year's Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

Three winners from Kildare took home top prizes at this year’s spectacular Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which concluded in Wexford town on Sunday, August 10.

The event saw an exciting and successful week of competitions, concerts, céilithe, sessions and more at the biggest ever Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

Doing Co Kildare proud were: Irish Singing (Men) (>18 years) – 1st place, Felim Mac Donnacha, CCÉ, Kilteel/Eadestown, Kildare; Newly Composed Tunes (Aon Aois/Any Age) – 1st place, Conal Ó Maoilearca CCÉ, Craobh Naomh Choca Kilcock, Kildare; and 8-Hand Céilí Dancing Mixed (>18 years) – 2nd place, CCÉ, Maynooth, Kildare.

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Over 800,000 people thronged the streets of the town over the past nine days, while tens of thousands of people attended the special opening by President Michael D Higgins.

Wexford town pulsed with Irish rhythm and revelry as age-old traditions were celebrated by new generations and the vibrancy of the Fleadh emanated throughout the streets.

Every year, the Fleadh provides a cultural meeting place for those who carry the great traditions of Irish music, song and dance in their hearts.

Cllr Joe Sullivan, Chairperson of Wexford County Council said, “It has been a great honour to host this fantastic event in Wexford town for the second year running. What a privilege to showcase our town in the heart of the sunny south east to a global audience.

“I would like to thank everyone from the many voluntary groups to the visitors to the people of Wexford, and I sincerely hope that everybody had a wonderful, safe and happy time in our town and county.”

He continued: “Memories have been made that will last a lifetime and the legacy of the Fleadh is the increased interest in traditional Irish music, song and dance that will last for generations to come.”

At the core of the Fleadh are the competitions that see traditional musicians, dancers, singers and story tellers of all ages and backgrounds competing at All-Ireland level, following victories at regional competitions.

Up to 20,000 performers played, sang and danced at the All Ireland Fleadh. The standards were high and the music more than lived up to the expectations of judges who had a very difficult job choosing winners for each category and competition.

Scoil Éigse, the official summer school organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, ran throughout the week with over 800 Irish and international students of all ages taking part in various music, singing, dancing and Irish language classes.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) announced that Belfast will be the host city for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, which will take place from Sunday 2nd August to Sunday 9th August 2026.

This is only the second time the Fleadh has been held in Northern Ireland, having taken place in Derry in 2013.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is an annual event and is the world’s largest celebration of Irish trad music, language, songs and dance.

For all the results and further details on the Fleadh and competitions, visit www.fleadhcheoil.ie

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