Sun sets on Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford
Wexford town came alive with music, song and dance last week as the largest ever Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann came to a triumphant close on Sunday, 10 August. Over 800,000 people filled the streets during the nine-day festival, which opened with a special ceremony by President Michael D Higgins attended by tens of thousands.
From competitions and concerts to céilithe, sessions and street performances, the town pulsed with Irish rhythm and revelry, as new generations embraced age-old traditions. Every year, the Fleadh serves as a meeting point for those who carry the great heritage of Irish music, song, and dance in their hearts and this year’s event was no exception.
Cllr Joe Sullivan, Chairperson of Wexford County Council, hailed the festival’s success:
“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. 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 Ceoltóirí Éireann, reflected on the growth of the Fleadh since its modest beginnings in 1951:
“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 650,000 attending, coming from out of state.”
At the heart of the festival were the All-Ireland competitions, where up to 20,000 performers, musicians, dancers, singers, and storytellers, competed following success in regional qualifiers. Standards were exceptionally high, giving judges the difficult task of selecting winners from the wealth of talent on display.
The week also featured Scoil Éigse, the official summer school of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, with over 800 Irish and international students of all ages taking part in music, singing, dancing, and Irish language classes.
Looking ahead, Comhaltas announced that Belfast will host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, from Sunday 2 August to Sunday 9 August. It will be only the second time the Fleadh has been held in Northern Ireland, following Derry’s hosting in 2013.
See this week’s Westmeath Examiner for full coverage of the local participation at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025.