6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Mayo musicians secure huge medal haul at 2025 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
Over 7,000 competitors took part in this year's Fleadh Cheoil nah Éireann, which drew an estimated 800,000 visitors to Wexford town for the eight-day fleadh.
This included ten first-place finishes for the Glór na dTonn Céilí Band of CCÉ, Scoil Acla (Céilí Band Over-18), Cian Kilkenny of CCÉ Castlebar (Flute Over-18), Nicole Kilkenny of CCÉ, Castlebar (Accompaniment 15-18), Martin Woods of CCÉ, Michael Davitt (Banjo 15-18), John Green of CCÉ, Michael Davitt (Flute Slow Airs 12-15), Oisín O'Donnell of CCÉ, Bofield (Flute Slow Airs 15-18), Mícheál Mac Éil of CCÉ, Admiral Brown (Whistle Slow Airs Under-12), John Devanney of CCÉ, Sheosamh Mhic Ghabhann (Harp Slow Airs Over-18), Áine Fox, Aodhán Hughes and Cathal Walsh of CCÉ, Castlebar (Trios Over-18) Ailbhe de Róiste of CCÉ, Craobh Iorrais, Maigh Eo (Comhrá Gaeilge, Under-9).
There were second places for Eilidh Jackson of CCÉ, Ballindine (Piano 12-15); Seán Holmes of CCÉ, Admiral Brown (Mouth Organ 12-15); Cillian Gallagher of CCÉ, Cleary Coyne, Claremorris in (Melodeon 15-18); Aoife Sherry of CCÉ, Bofield (Irish Harp 15-18); Conor Ó Sionnaigh of CCÉ, Admiral Brown (Amhráin Bhéarla (Fir) (15-18); Julian Hopkins of CCÉ, Admiral Brown (Storytelling Under-12); Aoife Sherry of CCÉ, Bofield (Harp Slow Airs 15-18) and CCÉ, Cuilmore, Newport in the Full Set, Ladies (Faoi 12) and the Full Set, Ladies (15-18).
There were third place finishes for Nell Ní Mhongáin of CCÉ, Craobh Iorrais (Sean Nós singing Under-12); Peadar Ó Sionnaigh of CCÉ, Admiral Brown (Rince ar an Sean-Nós Over-18); Lucy Canny of CCÉ Cleary Coyne (Irish Harp Under-12); Padraig Maonghaile O'Caoimh of CCÉ, Bofield (Uilleann Pipes Under-12 and Uilleann Pipes Slow Airs Under-12); Emily Rooney of CCÉ Sheosamh Mhic Ghabhann (Amhráin Bhéarla (Mná) Over-18); Aoife Sherry of CCÉ Bofield (Piano 15-18); Oonagh Kelly of CCÉ Cleary Coyne Harp Slow Airs Under-12); Cora Ní Neachtain of CCÉ Bofield (Comhrá Gaeilge 11-13); Emer de Róiste of CCÉ Craobh Iorrais (Scéalaíocht Under-12) and Saoirse Moran of CCÉ Caisleán an Bharraigh (Harp Slow Airs 15-18).
A campaign is currently underway to bring the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to Ballina in 2027. The north Mayo town hosted the world-renowned festival twice during the 1990s.
