All-Ireland Fleadh 3rd place and Leinster Champion Banjo U18 Tomás Mulligan with his tutor Elaine Reilly
An exciting and successful week of competitions, concerts, céilithe, sessions and more at the biggest ever Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann which concluded in Wexford town.
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.
PICTURES | Memorable Longford evening at Kilbeggan Races for Barney Kenny's 80th birthday
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, August 2 to Sunday, August 9 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.
Longford results
The following were Longford winners at the Fleadh;
Bainseó / Banjo (15-18 years), 3rd place, Tomás Ó Maolagáin, CCÉ, Joe Callaghan, Longford;
Rogha Gléas / Miscellaneous (O18 years), 1st place, Owen Smith, CCÉ, Joe Callaghan, Longford;
Drumaí Céilí / Céilí Drums (15-18 years), 3rd place, Saidbh Flynn, CCÉ, John Dungan, Longford;
Rince Seit Measctha / Full Set Mixed (15, 3rd place, CCÉ, John Dungan, Longford;
Storytelling (15-18 years), 1st place, Chloe Spollen, CCÉ, Joe Callaghan, Longford
For all the results and further details on the Fleadh and competitions, visit www.fleadhcheoil.ie.
Also read: OPINION: 2025 Leaving Cert students shafted as 'Covid kids' will nab college places
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.