Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann

I was in Listowel last night as part of the 75th anniversary celebrations of @comhaltas . I had the honour of unveiling a specially commissioned plaque to mark Listowel’s hosting of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann on 14 occasions from 1970 to 2002. @deptculturecommssport

The countdown is well & truly on to #FleadhBelfast2026, with so much to see and do for everyone across our city from 2-9 August! Today, we're sharing further programme details, including: ✨ @foyvance performing at our closing event on Sunday 9 August, alongside the newly crowned winners of that afternoon's Senior Céilí Band Competition - a key part of the event's impressive finale👏 ✨'Sharing Traditions' showcase at our big opening event on Sunday 2 August, inviting the city to celebrate together with a fusion of traditional Irish music, Dhol drummers, Indian dancers, flute & pipe bands & Highland dancers! ✨'Connections' - a multi-cultural music experience on Friday 7 August, as acclaimed Belfast composer @nmcellopipes leads @artsekta , musicians & dancers to blend Irish trad music with sounds from Africa, South Asia, the Middle East & Latin America! ✨Top trad acts @lunasaband (also on Friday 7 August) & all-female group @thesifiddlers (Thursday 6 August) ✨The Ulster Bands showcase, a colourful celebration of Unionist & Ulster‑Scots culture with Belfast Bands Forum, taking place against the dramatic backdrop of Titanic Slipways on Thursday 6 August ✨a fringe festival of 90+ events, stretching into local neighbourhoods, with art, dance, family activities & community participation, as well as successful projects from our Bank of Ideas scheme 😍 🎟️ Ticketed events all on sale from Friday 5 June at fleadhcheoil.ie 👀 Further details of the full fringe programme will be announced soon - we cannot wait 🪕🎻🎶🪗🎺🪈🥁

Today marks 75 years since the first Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann took place in Mullingar. What began as a vision to preserve and promote Irish traditional music, song and dance has grown into a worldwide movement, with branches in every county of Ireland, 20 cultural centres across the country and a global network spanning 26 countries across five continents. This success is built on the dedication of volunteers, teachers, musicians, singers, dancers and supporters who kept our traditions alive and passed them from one generation to the next. As we celebrate 75 years of Comhaltas, we extend a special 'go raibh maith agaibh' to the men and women of 1951, whose dream planted the seeds for what we have today. We now look forward with pride to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, taking place in Belfast this summer. Find out more at fleadhcheoil.ie #comhaltas #fleadhcheoil #fleadhbelfast2026

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is delighted to invite applications for three scholarships to recognise and remember the talent and legacy of the late Ashling Murphy. All Submission details and an online application form for the scholarships can be found at haltas.ie/education/ashling-murphy-scholarship/ Applications should arrive no later than 5pm on 19th June 2026.

As the countdown continues to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, tickets are now on sale for the following Comhaltas events: • Gradam Inclusion Awards - free event, registration required • Ards CCÉ 50th Anniversary Concert • Bardic Awards • Ómós na n-Ultach • Flanagan Award • Ard Ollamh Award • Ceol na Cruinne – Comahltas International Showcase • Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland • Senior Ceílí Band Competition Early booking is advised, as demand is expected to be high for a number of key events. Link to book in bio

Some special moments from the TTCT presentation at Comhdháil an Chomhaltais 2026, as recipients performed before receiving their certificates. #comhaltas #iplaytrad

As we mark 50 years of Cultúrlann na hÉireann, this wonderful RTÉ archive piece from 1976 looks back at the official opening in Monkstown, Co. Dublin. The footage captures Labhrás Ó Murchú outlining a vision for a cultural centre that would provide educational facilities, a library, a recording studio and a performance space. Half a century on, the vision continues to thrive. Link in Bio to watch the full RTÉ achieve piece.

Day two of Comhdháil an Chomhaltais got under way with an address from Uachtarán Attracta Ní Bhrádaigh, setting the day for a full day of discussion and engagement. Highlights included the presentation of the TTCT Diplomas and a panel reflecting on 75 years to Comhaltas Destiny. A positive weekend, with strong engagement from delegates and a shared commitment to the future of Comhaltas.

Our first day of Comhdháil an Chomhaltais 2026 was a rich blend of discussion, music and song. We closed out the evening with our 75th Anniversary Soirée which was attended by President Catherine Connolly.

Panel discussion on 75 years to Comhaltas Destiny gets underway

Congratulations to all who received the TTCT Diploma at Cultúrlann na hÉireann today.

The Senior Céilí band draw took place this afternoon at Cultúrlann na hÉireann.