All Ireland Fleadh - Wexford 2025

What a week for Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in beautiful Wexford town! Over 100 musicians travelled from Ards — the only branch in Ulster to have a group in every age category:
🎻Under 12
🎻12–15 years
🎻15–18 years
🎻Senior
We also had competitors in solo and trio competitions, showing the depth of talent in our branch.
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🎵 The Fleadh began on Sunday 3rd August with a brilliant Opening Ceremony. Many of our musicians attended Scoil Éigse all week — a series of workshops ending with a showcase performance. Others played in lively street sessions and busked along Wexford’s cobbled streets, with some even recorded for TG4!
Our committee members were also kept busy. They attended major events including:
• Bardic Awards & Ard Ollamh Awards
• International Showcase Concert
• Folk Orchestra Concert
• Stakeholder Meetings
• TV & radio interviews
• Handover Ceremony
These experiences will help us prepare for hosting the Belfast Fleadh in 2026.
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🏆 When the weekend arrived, it was all action. We had live performances on TG4 and incredible competition results:
🥇 All-Ireland Champion – Seamus McClean, Pipes Slow Air (12–15yrs) – an amazing win after moving up an age group!
🥉 3rd Place – Patrick Skelly, U12 Piano
🥉 3rd Place – Senior Grúpa Cheoil
Our musicians and dancers also wowed hundreds on the main gig rig, while our senior musicians performed live on TG4 just before the Handover Ceremony.
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🎇 The Fleadh finished with fireworks over Wexford Harbour. During the Handover Ceremony, Belfast was presented with the Fleadh Harp — carved from 5,000-year-old bog yew — which will remain in the city until we host the festival from Sunday 2nd to Sunday 9th August 2026.
Niall McClean, Chair of Ards CCÉ, praised Wexford for hosting such an outstanding Fleadh and thanked everyone who supported the branch. Special thanks went to our tutors — Niall & Bronagh McClean and Colleen McCleery — for their dedication in getting all four groups to the All-Ireland finals.
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