It was an exciting and successful week of competitions, concerts, céilithe, sessions and more at this year's Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
More than 600,000 people thronged the streets of Wexford over nine days, while tens of thousands of people attended the special opening by President Michael D Higgins.
President Higgins yesterday officially opened the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2024 in Wexford Town pic.twitter.com/4hd9YkYeXI
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) August 5, 2024
The town pulsed with Irish rhythm and revelry as age-old traditions were celebrated by new generations and the vibrancy of the Fleadh emanated throughout the streets.
Every year, the Fleadh provides a cultural meeting place for those who carry the great traditions of Irish music, song, and dance in their hearts.
What a fantastic week it has been! We'd like to thank all of our guests who travelled from far and wide to be here, the great musicians and dancers who graced us with their talents and the volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this year's Fleadh so memorable!
— Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil (@fleadhcheoil) August 12, 2024
Slán go fóill!👋 pic.twitter.com/x1dEckWEtB
“It has been a great honour to host this fantastic event in Wexford town for the first time," Councillor Pip Breen, Cathaoirleach, Wexford County Council said at the conclusion of this year's event.
"What a privilege to showcase our town in the heart of 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.”
He continued: “It has been such a pleasure to host the Fleadh this year and we certainly are looking forward to 2025.
"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 Ceoltóiri Éireann, said: “When Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann commenced in 1951, it was obviously a very small event.
"In the intervening years, the Fleadh has grown to be a Festival of world proportions.
"It emphasizes how our childhood traditions have prospered in the intervening years, and today plays a significant role in tourism with over 25% of the 600,0000 attending, coming from out of state.”
A belter of a day at #Fleadh24🎶
Thousands of people from across the nation filled the streets of Wexford to celebrate music, culture and tradition!
Check out the incredible shots captured by our volunteer photographers showing the vast festivities happening on our streets 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Wg0kNbL3lg
— Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil (@fleadhcheoil) August 10, 2024
At the core of the Fleadh are the competitions that see traditional musicians, dancers, singers, and storytellers of all ages and backgrounds competing at the 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.
Among the winners at this year's All Ireland Fleadh were a number of entrants from the US:
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Rio Navarro, CCÉ, Killoran Clancy Whelan, New York, US
- 1st place in 5B Cairdín Pianó / Piano Accordion (12-15)
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Faolan Rogers, Madison, Wisconsin, US
- 1st place in 1A Fidil / Fiddle (Faoi 12)
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Faolan Rogers, Madison, Wisconsin, US
- 1st place in 8A Cruit / Irish Harp (Faoi 12)
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Mary Helen Claassen, CCÉ, St. Louis Irish Arts, Missouri, US
- 3rd place in 36A Portaireacht / Lilting (Faoi 12)
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Aine Siobhan Mahony, CCÉ, Irish Traditions Atlanta, Georgia, US
- 3rd place in 33B English Singing (Ladies) / Amhráin Bhéarla (Mná) (12-15)
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Claire Noonan, CCÉ, O’Neill-Malcom, Maryland, US
- 3rd place in 13A Mileoidean / Melodeon (Faoi 12)
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Seamus Noonan, CCÉ, Reynolds-Hanafin-Cooley, Massachusetts, US
- 3rd place in 3D Feadóg Mhór / Flute (O18)
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Madeline Stevenson, CCÉ, O’Neill-Malcom, Maryland, US
- 3rd place in 48C Rince ar an Sean-Nós (15-18)
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Lauren Tuffy, CCÉ, Coleman-O'Grady, New York, US with her teacher Dawn Doherty
- 3rd place in 31B Amhránaíocht ar an Sean Nós (Mná) / Irish Singing (Ladies) (12-15)
Meanwhile, Scoil Éigse, the official summer school organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, ran throughout the week with up to 800 Irish and international students of all ages taking part in various music, singing, dancing, and Irish language classes.
Wexford has been chosen to host the 2025 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann from August 3 through August 10 next year. Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) announced that the bid by the town to host the Fleadh for the second year in a row has been a success.
It will be the fifth and now sixth time the southeast county has hosted the popular festival, which is the world’s largest celebration of Irish trad music, language, songs and dance. The last time the Fleadh Cheoil was held in Co Wexford was in 2000, in Enniscorthy.
For all the results and further details on the Fleadh and competitions, visit FleadhCheoil.ie.
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