Fiadhna Ní Léime, from Ballyboy CCE who came 1st in melodeon and concertina in the 12-15 age category at this year's All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil n hÉireann in Wexford.

Four top place finishes for Offaly at All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil

Published: Wed 13 Aug 2025, 11:48 AM

Last updated: Wed 13 Aug 2025, 12:07 PM

Two gifted traditional musicians from Offaly are celebrating this week after they achieved top honours in two separate competitions at this year's All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford.

Fiadhna Ní Léime from the Ballyboy CCE Branch scooped two first place finishes in both melodeon and concertina in the 12-15 years age category, while Aedamar O' Connor from Edenderry CCE continued his hugely-impressive winning streak with two wins in mandolin and melodeon in the over-18 category.

The céili dancing skills of the female members of Birr CCE saw them achieve two top place finishes in the 8-hand (over 18) and 4-hand ceili dancing (over 18) ladies competitions at this year's Fleadh Cheoil, while an under 12 team of female dancers from Ballyboy CCE took 2nd place in the 8-hand céili dancing competition.

There was more success for Ballyboy CCE in the over-18 whistling when Gráinne Ní Mhuineog achieved a second place finish and in the 12-15 age category on whistle, Seamus Ó hAoileáin, also from Ballyboy CCE, came 2nd. Further success for Ballyboy followed in lilting when another member from the branch, Shane Ó Maoláin, came second in the under-12 category.

Full Fleadh Cheoil results for Offaly:

Maindilín / Mandolin (O18 years), 1st place, Ademar O'Connor, CCÉ, Éadan Doire

Mileoidean / Melodeon (12-15 years), 1st place, Fiadhna Ní Léime, CCÉ, Baile Átha Buí

Mileoidean / Melodeon (O18 years), 1st place, Ademar O'Connor, CCÉ, Éadan Doire

Feadaíl / Whistling (O18 years), 2nd place, Gráinne Ní Mhuineog, CCÉ, Baile Átha Buí

Portaireacht / Lilting (under 12 years), 2nd place, Shane Ó Maoláin, CCÉ, Baile Átha Buí

Rince Céilí Ochtair Mná / 8-Hand Céilí Dancing Ladies (under 12 years), 2nd place, CCÉ, Baile Átha Buí

Rince Céilí Ochtair Mná / 8-Hand Céilí Dancing Ladies (O18 years), 1st place, Biorra

Rince Céilí Ceathrair Mná / 4-Hand Céilí Dancing Ladies (O18 years), 1st place, Biorra

Feadóg / Whistle (12-15 years), 2nd place, Seamus Ó hAoileáin, CCÉ, Baile Átha Buí

Consairtín / Concertina (12-15 years), 1st place, Fiadhna Ní Léime, CCÉ, Baile Átha Buí

At the core of the Fleadh are the competitions that see traditional musicians, dancers, singers and story tellers of all ages and backgrounds competing at All-Ireland level, following victories at regional competitions.

Up to 20,000 performers played, sang and danced at the All Ireland Fleadh. The standards were high and the music more than lived up to the expectations of judges who had a very difficult job choosing winners for each category and competition.

Scoil Éigse, the official summer school organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, ran throughout the week with over 800 Irish and international students of all ages taking part in various music, singing, dancing and Irish language classes.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) announced that Belfast will be the host city for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, which will take place from Sunday August 2 to Sunday, August 9, 2026.

This is only the second time the Fleadh has been held in Northern Ireland, having taken place in Derry in 2013. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is an annual event and is the world’s largest celebration of Irish trad music, language, songs and dance.