Limerick youth win big at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

OVER two dozen young people from Limerick have won big in the Comhaltas All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Wexford this year.

The troupe of talented youngsters placed in the top three across 23 different categories, with many landing a podium spot in multiple categories.

Limerick performers came first place in 12 of the categories. 

Up to 20,000 performers played, sang and danced at the All Ireland Fleadh. The categories ranged across singing, duets, trios, céilithe, and a wide range of traditional Irish music.

A spokesperson for the Fleadh said: “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.”

The All Ireland competition was just one of the many things going on throughout the Fleadh, with the over 800,000 visitors being treated to a variety of concerts, sessions, and even a surprise performance by Ed Sheeran!

READ MORE: Limerick bursting with everything from gigs to agri shows this week

The festivities, which took place last week in Wexford town, were kicked off with a special opening by President Michael D Higgins.

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 (CCÉ) 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."

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.

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Read the full list of Limerick winners below:

3B Feadóg Mhór / Flute (12-15 years), 2nd place, Emma Sinéad Ní Choileáin, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Limerick

4A Feadóg / Whistle (under 12 years), 1st place, Clara Ní Choileáin, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Limerick

5A Cairdín Pianó / Piano Accordion (under 12 years), 1st place, Clara Ní Choileáin, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Limerick

5A Cairdín Pianó / Piano Accordion (under 12 years), 3rd place, Séamus Ó hEithir, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Limerick

7A Píb Uilleann / Uilleann Pipes (under 12 years), 1st place, Micheál MacGabhann, CCÉ, Pheig Uí Riain, Limerick

7B Píb Uilleann / Uilleann Pipes (12-15 years), 1st place, Páidí De Blacúil, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Limerick

7D Píb Uilleann / Uilleann Pipes (O18 years), 2nd place, Ciarán Ó Conail, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Limerick

8D Cruit / Irish Harp (O18 years), 3rd place, Liam Mac Giobún, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Limerick

9C Orgán Béil / Mouth Organ (15-18 years), 1st place, Lia Ní Shiúrtáin, CCÉ, Garraí Eoin, Limerick

9D Orgán Béil / Mouth Organ (O18 years), 1st place, Sadhbh Ní Shiúrtáin, CCÉ, Garraí Eoin, Limerick

12A Pianó / Piano (under 12 years), 2nd place, Clara Ní Choileáin, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Limerick

15A Tionlacan / Accompaniment (under 12 years), 3rd place, Cáit Ní Ghúiní, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Limerick

18C Foinn Mhalla, Fidil / Fiddle Slow Airs (15-18 years), 3rd place, Marcus Ó Murchú, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Limerick

19A Foinn Mhalla, Píb Uilleann / Uilleann Pipes Slow Airs (under 12 years), 1st place, Micheál MacGabhann, CCÉ, Pheig Uí Riain, Limerick

19B Foinn Mhalla, Píb Uilleann / Uilleann Pipes Slow Airs (12-15 years), 3rd place, Gearóid De Barra, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Limerick

19D Foinn Mhalla, Píb Uilleann / Uilleann Pipes Slow Airs (O18 years), 1st place, Ciarán Ó Conail, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Limerick

19D Foinn Mhalla, Píb Uilleann / Uilleann Pipes Slow Airs (O18 years), 2nd place, Liam Mac Giobún, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Limerick

20B Foinn Mhalla, Feadóg Mhór / Flute Slow Airs (12-15 years), 2nd place, Emma Sinéad Ní Choileáin, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Limerick

21A Foinn Mhalla, Feadóg / Whistle Slow Airs (under 12 years), 2nd place, Clara Ní Choileáin, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Limerick

21B Foinn Mhalla, Feadóg / Whistle Slow Airs (12-15 years), 1st place, Emma Sinéad Ní Choileáin, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Limerick

23A Ceol Beirte / Duets (under 12 years), 1st place, CCÉ, Pheig Uí Riain, Íde Nic Gabhann, Micheál MacGabhann, Limerick

23A Ceol Beirte / Duets (under 12 years), 2nd place, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Brynn Ní Dhulaíoch, Clare Níc Ionnrachtaigh, Limerick

24A Ceol Trír / Trios (under 12 years), 3rd place, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Clara Ní Choileáin, Clare Níc Ionnrachtaigh, Eoin Ó HAoláin, Limerick

24B Ceol Trír / Trios (12-15 years), 1st place, CCÉ, Castleconnell/Ahane/Herberstown, Emma Sinéad Ní Choileáin, Orlaith Ní hInse, Páidí De Blacúil, Limerick

34A English Singing (Men) / Amhráin Bhéarla (Fir) (under 12 years), 3rd place, Seosamh O Murchú, CCÉ, Áth an tSléibhe, Limerick

41D Rince Céilí Ochtair Measctha / 8-Hand Céilí Dancing Mixed (O18 years), 1st place, CCÉ, Ardacha/Carraigchiarraí, Limerick