Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann county Fleadh season takes place over April and May, followed by the privncial feladh in July and All-Ireland fleadh in Belfast in August.
designed to propagate, consolidate, and perpetuate Irish traditional music, song, dance, and the Irish language. It serves as a competitive platform for musicians to “pace each other on the road to excellence” and as the initial qualifying stage for higher-level provincial and national (All-Ireland) competitions.
From its inception in 1951, the fleadh has aimed to set high standards in traditional performance through competition, acting as a medium to keep unique cultural traditions alive and prominent in Irish life, particularly among younger generations. Beyond competition, it provides a “meeting place” for thousands of artists to share traditions with the local community and visitors through concerts, céilithe, and street sessions. Competitors who place 1st or 2nd in their county fleadh typically qualify to represent their county at the Provincial Fleadh.
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann competitions cover 150 to 180 specific contests across several major disciplines. Standard Age Categories are under 12, 12–15 and 15–18:
- Music: Solo instruments (e.g., fiddle, flute, whistle, uilleann pipes, concertina, harp, banjo), slow airs, duets, trios, and ensemble groups like Grúpaí Ceoil and Céilí Bands.
- Singing: Irish and English traditional singing, including Sean-nós and singing with self-accompaniment.
- Dancing: Céilí dancing, set dancing, and Sean-nós dancing.
- Language & Spoken Word: Comhrá Gaeilge (Irish conversation) and storytelling.
Provincial Fleadh dates are Connacht June 28th – July 5th, 2026 (Mohill, Co. Leitrim), Leinster June 26th – 28th, 2026 (Portlaoise, Co. Laois), Munster July 13th – 18th, 2026. (Lismore, Co. Waterford) and Ulster 19th-26th July, with the All-Ireland Fleadh (Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann) August 2nd – 9th in Belfast.
Ireland’s Festivals
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Musicians county by county
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
