Wexford's Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann officially came to a close on Sunday August 10, and many Laois locals travelled home with accolades and trophies.

Of the nine Comhaltas groups in Laois, six branches took home awards at the international celebration of Irish music, dance and culture.

Noel Stapleton of the Craobh Seán Ryan branch was crowned an All-Ireland winner, securing a first place prize for the Button Accordion, and a third place win in the Céilí Drums category.

Portlaoise Comhaltas won 16 competitions at the Fleadh, with nine first-place wins across a range of age groups and categories.

Portarlington Comhaltas on the Gig Rig on Monday night. Photo: Michelle Cogley

Camross Comhaltas did particularly well in individual instrument competitions and dances, with member Laura Scott named champion in the All Ireland English Ladies Singing under 18 category. Overall, the Comhaltas group won 12 awards at the Fleadh.

The pride of Spink, twelve year old William Walsh of Spink Comhaltas group, won first place in the under 12's Flute Slow Airs.

Portarlington Comhaltas had four competitors (Tom Hudson, Hazel Fitzpatrick, Leon Magennis and Eugene Nolan) competing across six competitions.

The group were delighted to announce that Tom Hudson came third in the 15-18 Trio competition alongside Jack Higgins of the Camross branch and Kieu Conroy of the Portlaoise branch.

Clonaslee Comhaltas member Edel Ní Conbhai danced her way to third place in the duets 15-18 age category, alongside Laura Scott from Camross Comhaltas.

Pictured: Spink Comhaltas at the Fleadh

Ratheniska resident Joe Cunningham has starred on TG4's live TV coverage of the hugely successful Fleadh Cheoil in Wexford with his famous traditional music father Matt.

Joe, who is well known in Laois and Offaly as CEO of the LOETB, took to the stage with his banjo to play in his father's trad band on the Thursday night of live coverage from Wexford on TG4. 

His performance with his accordion-playing father and other family members was preceded by by a special short feature on Matt's career filmed by TG4 in Joe's hometown of Headford, Co Galway. 

Robert Harvey from Camross also featured on TG4 coverage, where he was tutoring a group of children in the art of lilting.

See our full list of Laois Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann winners below:

22C. Foinn Mhalla, Cruit / Harp Slow Airs (15-18) 

1st. Nell Kettle - CCÉ, Portlaoise, Laois 

24B. Ceol Trír / Trios (12-15) 

2nd. CCÉ, Camross, Laois - Lila Nolan, Polly Nolan, Seaic O hUiginn 

39E. Píosaí Ceoil Nuacheaptha / Newly Composed Tunes (Aon Aois/Any Age) 

3rd. Fionn Connolly - CCÉ, Portlaoise, Laois 

17D. Drumaí Céilí / Céilí Drums (O18) 

3rd. Noel Stapleton - CCÉ, Craobh Seán Ryan, Laois 

24C. Ceol Trír / Trios (15-18) 

3rd. CCÉ, Portlaoise/Portarlington/Camross, Laois - Kiều Conroy, Seaic Ó hUigínn, Tom Hudson 

8C. Cruit / Irish Harp (15-18) 

1st. Nell Kettle - CCÉ, Portlaoise, Laois 

21C. Foinn Mhalla, Feadóg / Whistle Slow Airs (15-18) 

2nd. Taidhg Ó Daltúin - CCÉ, Portlaoise, Laois 

15C. Tionlacan / Accompaniment (15-18) 

3rd. Taidhg Ó Daltúin - CCÉ, Portlaoise, Laois 

16B. Bodhrán (12-15) 

1st. Lily Butler - CCÉ, Portlaoise, Laois 

2nd. Rian Nolan - CCÉ, Camross, Laois 

13B. Mileoidean / Melodeon (12-15) 

2nd. Seaic Ó hUiginn - CCÉ, Camross, Laois 

26C. Grúpaí Ceoil (15-18) 

3rd. The Golden Croft - CCÉ, Portlaoise, Laois 

10B. Bainseó / Banjo (12-15) 

1st. Fionnán Ó Daltúin - CCÉ, Portlaoise, Laois 

42B. Rince Céilí Ceathrair, Mná / 4-Hand Céilí Dancing, Ladies (12-15) 

2nd. CCÉ, Portlaoise, Laois 

40B. Rince Céilí Ochtair, Mná / 8-Hand Céilí Dancing, Ladies (12-15) 

2nd. CCÉ, Camross, Laois 

2D. Bosca Ceoil / Button Accordion (O18) 

1st. Noel Stapleton - CCÉ, Craobh Seán Ryan, Laois 

33C. English Singing (Ladies) / Amhráin Bhéarla (Mná) (15-18) 

1st. Laura Scott - CCÉ, Camross, Laois 

23C. Ceol Beirte / Duets (15-18) 

3rd. CCÉ, Clonaslee/Camross, Laois - Edel Ní Conbhai, Laura Scott 

23B. Ceol Beirte / Duets (12-15) 

1st. CCÉ, Portlaoise/Camross, Laois - Fionnán Ó Daltúin, Seaic Ó hUigínn 

20A. Foinn Mhalla, Feadóg Mhór / Flute Slow Airs (Faoi 12) 

1st. William Walsh - CCÉ, Spink, Laois 

10A. Bainseó / Banjo (Faoi 12) 

1st. Liam Ó hUiginn - CCÉ, Camross, Laois 

43C. Rince Céilí Ceathrair, Measctha / 4-Hand Céilí Dancing, Mixed (15-18) 

1st. CCÉ, Camross, Laois 

13C. Mileoidean / Melodeon (15-18) 

3rd. Fionn Connolly - CCÉ, Portlaoise, Laois 

11B. Maindilín / Mandolin (12-15) 

1st. Fionnán Ó Daltúin - CCÉ, Portlaoise, Laois 

17B. Drumaí Céilí / Céilí Drums (12-15) 

2nd. Seaic Ó hUiginn - CCÉ, Camross, Laois 

2B. Bosca Ceoil / Button Accordion (12-15) 

2nd. Seaic Ó hUiginn - CCÉ, Camross, Laois 

42A. Rince Céilí Ceathrair, Mná / 4-Hand Céilí Dancing, Ladies (Faoi 12) 

1st. CCÉ, Portlaoise, Laois 

3rd. CCÉ, Portlaoise, Laois 

40A. Rince Céilí Ochtair, Mná / 8-Hand Céilí Dancing, Ladies (Faoi 12) 

1st. CCÉ, Portlaoise, Laois 

WATCH: Laois Comhaltas group gets crowd moving at Fleadh 2025!