Laois young dancers and musicians win big at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
Irish music and dancing traditions are safe in the hands - and feet - of talented Laois youngsters who have taken home a treasurechest of awards from the 2026 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
A host of talented young Laois musicians and dancers won multiple awards at the 2026 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann held in Belfast.
The world's biggest celebration of traditional Irish music, song and dance, saw more than 5,000 competitors from 25 countries gather to compete for All-Ireland titles across music, dancing and sean nós singing, bringing together some of the finest emerging and established traditional performers from Ireland and around the world.
Laois comhaltas club members from Portlaoise, Portarlington, Spink and Camross had huge success.
Portlaoise CCE had the largest Laois group of winners including four sets of dancers, all from the Buggy School of Irish Dancing.
Rince Céilí Ochtair, Mná / 8-Hand Céilí Dancing, Ladies, Faoi 12, 1st, Rinceoirί Nií Bhogaidh - Abbie McDonald, Ella Doone, Emma McDonald, Katelyn Donoghue, Leah O'Connor, Millie Ann Buggie, Sophie O'Connor, Zoe Bowe.
Rince Céilí Ochtair, Mná / 8-Hand Céilí Dancing, Ladies, 12-15, 2nd, Rinceoirί Ni Bhogaidh (Chloe Ni Lochlaín, Eala O'Mahoney, Emma McDonald, Fiona Buggie, Heidi Mulhall, Millie Ann Buggie, Sophie Ellis, Violet Kruger O'Connell).
Rince Céilí Ceathrair, Mná / 4-Hand Céilí Dancing, Ladies, Faoi 12, 3rd, Rinceoirί Ní Bhogaidh Foireann (Emma McDonald, Millie Ann Buggie, Sophie O Connor, Zoe Bowe).
Rince Céilí Ceathrair, Mná / 4-Hand Céilí Dancing, Ladies, 12-15, 1st, Rinceoirí Ni Bhogaidh Foireann Fiona (Chloe Ní Lochlain, Fiona Buggie, Millie-Ann Buggie, Sophie Ellis).
Their school, led by Brid-Ann Buggy is thrilled for them.
“What an achievement for this fantastic group of girls. To win an All Ireland title is a huge achievement… to win two titles on the same day, two years in a row, is a dream. A moment we will all remember for a long time to come. Huge congratulations to all of these girls who placed in every competition we participated in today. You all danced your hearts out and represented our dance school and Portlaoise CCÉ brilliantly. We are all incredibly proud.”
Also winning for Portlaoise CCÉ: Consairtín / Concertina, Faoi 12, 1st, Róise Ní Dhaltúin.
On Tionlacan / Accompaniment, 15-18, 2nd, Taidhg Ó Daltúin and on Bodhrán, 15-18, 2nd, Taidhg Ó Daltuin. Fidil / Fiddle, O18, 3rd, Senan Moran.
Camross CCÉ had a double winner, in Rian Nolan. He won 1st place on Bodhrán, 12-15, and on Drumaí Céilí / Céilí Drums, 12-15.
Portarlington CCE winners were Rogha Gléas / Miscellaneous, 12-15, 2nd, Leon Magennis, Fidil / Fiddle, 12-15, 3rd, Leon Magennis. Foinn Mhalla, Feadóg / Whistle Slow Airs, 15-18, 3rd, Tom Hudson. Feadóg Mhór / Flute, 15-18, 2nd, Tom Hudson.
Spink CCÉ winners are: Maindilín / Mandolin, 15-18, 2nd, Kallum Sheeran and Orgán Béil / Mouth Organ, 12-15, 2nd, Jack Tierney.
Hosted in Belfast for the first time by Belfast City Council, in partnership with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) and Ards CCÉ, the Fleadh saw the city transformed with over a million visitors enjoying a vibrant celebration of Irish culture, with competitions, concerts, céilithe, sessions, workshops and events taking place across the city.
At the core of the Fleadh are the All-Ireland competitions, with competitors travelling from across Ireland and internationally.
Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly is Lord Mayor of Belfast.
“A leithéid de sheachtain nach raibh feicthe ariamh i mBéal Feirste. Ceol, craic is draíocht san aer ar fud fad na seachtaine is trasna na cathrach ar fad.”
“Words cannot do justice to how proud I am of this city and the magic that it has produced over the last eight days. The pictures and videos of our people, our music and our streets projected right around the world show our city at its best. Our spirit, our craic and our shared love of music, from all our different communities, have all been embraced and displayed for everyone to enjoy,” she said.
“Go raibh céad míle maith agaibh to everyone for their support, participation and generosity of spirit – you have all done Belfast proud.”
Dr Labhrás Ó'Murchú is Ardstiúrthóir, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
“Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann has grown from its beginnings in 1951 into a festival of world proportions, and Belfast has demonstrated once again why traditional Irish music, song and dance have such a powerful international appeal. The presence of over 5,000 competitors from 25 countries is testament to the strength, diversity and continuing growth of our traditions.”
He continued, “We congratulate Belfast City Council, Ards CCÉ, the many volunteers and all our partners on an outstanding Fleadh. We are delighted to confirm that Belfast has been selected to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann again from 1st to 8th August 2027.”
For all the results and further information on Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, visit www.fleadhcheoil.ie.