Tipperary performers impress at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025

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 last night, Sunday, August 10.

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.

READ MORE: Local Tipperary Lions Club invites applications for fantastic bursary opportunity

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.

A huge amount of Tipperary people emerged victorious in their respective categories.

The Tipperary winners were:

Accompaniment (Over 18 years), 1st place, Cathal Ó Slatara, CCÉ, Baile Ui Choimín, Tipperary;

Harp Slow Airs (Under 12 years), 1st place, Róise Ní Chiara Pickrell, CCÉ, Ormond, Tipperary;

Whistling (Under 12 years), 1st place, Mollie Cahill, CCÉ, Loughmore, Tipperary;

8-Hand Céilí Dancing Ladies (12-15 years), 1st place, CCÉ, Caisleán Nua - Team Anna, Tipperary;

8-Hand Céilí Dancing Ladies (15-18 years), 1st place, CCÉ, Caisleán Nua - Team Avril, Tipperary;

4-Hand Céilí Dancing Ladies (15-18 years), 1st place, CCÉ, Caisleán Nua - Team Anna, Tipperary;

Mouth Organ (Under 12 years), 1st place, Jack Mac Gearlt, CCÉ, Baile Uí Choimín, Tipperary.

On top of the category winners, several Tipperary competitors finished within the top three places in their respective disciplines, including:

Melodeon (Under 12 years), 2nd place, Edmond Ó Raghallaigh, CCÉ, Kilcash, Tipperary;

Céilí Drums (12-15 years), 3rd place, Ethan Hanrahan, CCÉ, Cathair Dún Iascaigh, Tipperary;

Flute Slow Airs (Over 18 years), 2nd place, Seosamh Ó Baoill, CCÉ, Loughmore, Tipperary;

Irish Singing (Ladies) (15-18 years), 3rd place, Hazel Ní Raghallaigh, CCÉ, Kilcash, Tipperary;

Amhráin Bhéarla (Mná) (Under 12 years), 2nd place, Emily Ní Mhaoineacháin, CCÉ, Baile Uí Choimín, Tipperary;

8-Hand Céilí Dancing Ladies (15-18 years), 2nd place, CCÉ, Caisleán Nua - Team Cara, Tipperary;

Rince Céilí Ceathrair Measctha, 3rd place, Clonmore, Tipperary;

Storytelling (12-15 years), 2nd place, Dáithí Ó Cinnéide, CCÉ, Baile Uí Choimín, Tipperary;

Irish Harp (Under 12 years), 2nd place, Róise Ní Chiara Pickrell, CCÉ, Ormond, Tipperary;

Mouth Organ (12-15 years), 3rd place, DJ Mac Gearlt, CCÉ, Baile Uí Choimín, Tipperary.

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.

READ MORE: Tipperary amenity projects secure over €376,000 government funding

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."

Dr Labhrás Ó'Murchú, Ardstiúrthóir, Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann said: "When Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann commenced in 1951 it was obviously a very small event. In the intervening years the Fleadh has grown to be a Festival of world proportions. It emphasises how our childhood traditions have prospered in the intervening years, and today plays a significant role in tourism with over 25% of the 800,000 attending, coming from out of state."

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 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 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.