As is long-standing tradition, the All-Ireland champions in the Senior Céilí Band competition closed out the official programme of a packed week of trad at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann last night, with Glór na dTonn from Mayo taking the hotly-contested crown.
The streets and venues were packed in Wexford all week, with officials saying hundreds of thousands had attended since Sunday 3rd August, bringing an estimated €60 million to the local economy if last year’s receipts were matched.
The Wexford Fleadh team had additional stages in locations around the town in addition to the massive Gig Rig on the waterfront, with an array of talented musicians and performers for everyone to hear.
There were sessions crammed into front snugs as well as in front rooms, on the main streets and down quiet back streets, with music everywhere for the week in Wexford.
And this little fellow (6) from Donegal won everyone’s hearts at Fleadh 2025, with his determination to earn enough busking to buy a new suit.
Riverdance supremo, Michael Flatley – twice an All-Ireland flue champion – made a surprise appearance but wouldn’t be drawn on talk of any possible forthcoming Presidential bid.
Acclaimed seannós singer from Conamara, Caitríona Ní Cheannabháin, gave this beautiful rendition of “A Fhir a Bhata” with Mick Conneely and David Munnelly.
Earlier in the week, history was made in Wexford for the second consecutive Fleadh in relation to setting Guinness World Records. Last year, a world record was set in Chadwicks Wexford Park during Fleadh 2024 for the most tin whistles ever played together – and this year the stage was set for the largest Céilí band ever assembled.
A total of 1,018 musicians came together to perform in unison, adjudicated by Glen Pollard, and drawing musicians from all over Ireland—as well as from the USA, France, Japan, the UK, and Canada, playing tin whistles, fiddles, concertinas, accordions, banjos, guitars, mandolins, drums, pianos, and uileann pipes.
The Fleadh is headed to Belfast for 2026, where local Comhaltas crews will be trying to match the colour, music and exuberance of the Wexford Fleadh.