Cork musicians win big at 2026 Fleadh Cheoil in Belfast

A young mid-Cork musician is celebrating an exceptional achievement at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which saw more than one million people visiting Belfast over the duration of the festival.

Finín Ó Conaill, Lachtaín Naofa Comhaltas, Cill na Martra, won five all-Ireland U18 titles at the Fleadh.

He received prizes for sean-nós singing, English singing, whistle, whistle slow airs, and as a member of the winning Crossfields U18 céilí band from Craobh Chrónáin, Freemount.

In all, Cork achieved 42 wins in this year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

The Fleadh saw a week of traditional Irish music, song and dance, which saw more than 5,000 competitors from 25 countries flock to the Titanic city.

There they competed 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.

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 into a vibrant celebration of Irish culture, with competitions, concerts, céilithe, sessions, workshops and events taking place across the festival.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the world's biggest celebration of traditional Irish music, song and dance and provides a unique cultural meeting place for performers, competitors, families and visitors from Ireland and across the globe.

At the core of the Fleadh are the All-Ireland competitions, where musicians, singers and dancers of all ages compete at the highest level following success at regional competitions.

The standard of performance throughout this year's competitions was exceptionally high, with competitors travelling from across Ireland and internationally to take part.

Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, Lord Mayor of Belfast said: “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.” 

She added: “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,” Ms Donnelly said.

Dr Labhrás Ó'Murchú, Ardstiúrthóir, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, said: “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.” 

Belfast's selection to host the Fleadh for a second consecutive year was announced by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, following the success of the city's bid to host the 2027 event. 

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2027 will take place in Belfast from Sunday, August 1 to Sunday, August 8 next year.

For all the results and further information on Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, visit www.fleadhcheoil.ie.