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03 Nov 2025
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03 Nov 2025
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Abbeylara's Maisie Drake who was crowned Sean-Nós Dancing champion at Oireachtas na Samhna 2025 in Belfast on Saturday Picture: Clive Wasson
Huge congratulations to talented Longford girl Maisie Drake who was crowned Sean-Nós Dancing champion at Oireachtas na Samhna 2025 in Belfast on Saturday.
Screened on TG4, Maisie was triumphant in Comórtas 1: Damhsa ar an Sean-Nós (Comórtas C) (Daoine Óga), winning the Corn an Oireachtais agus Bonn Airgid.
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Many messages of congratulations have been sent to Maisie including from Abbeylara GAA and John Dungan CCE.
"Huge Congratulations to Maisie Drake 1st place. So very proud of you twinkle toes," posted Abbeylara GAA on their Facebook page.
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“Congratulations to the winners and everyone who took part in the Oireachtas na Samhna 2025 Performing Art Competitions. Oireachtas na Samhna is an expression of the best, most positive and most exciting parts of our culture, our language and our arts.” said Máirín Nic Dhonnchadha, CEO of An tOireachtas.
This year’s programme included 65 performing arts competitions for various age groups, for young people and adults, as well as music and singing sessions, exhibitions, seminars, plays, multi-thematic clubs and numerous discussion and discourse events at various fringe events.
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10,000 people attended Oireachtas na Samhna this year, travelling from all over the country to attend and take part in a variety of music, singing, social, entertainment and debate events throughout the festival.
A range of competitions and events were broadcast live on TG4 and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, with live shows and podcasts on Raidió Failte, Raidió Rí-Rá, Raidió na Life and BBC Gaeilge.
The national arts & culture festival, Oireachtas na Samhna, is the annual showcase event organised by An tOireachtas featuring the best of sean-nós (traditional old style) performing arts. The festival programme includes junior and senior competitions, formal and informal music and singing sessions, exhibitions, seminars, drama and a host of fringe events.
Oireachtas na Samhna 2026 will be held in Killarney, Co Kerry from October 28 – November 1.
Also read: Silver Jubilee Longford champions honoured: Abbeylara's history makers recognised
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