Great success for local Comhaltas groups at Fleadh
NORTH Galway Comhaltas groups secured six national titles at the 2026 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann over the weekend.
More than 5,000 competitors from 25 countries travelled to Belfast to compete for coveted 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.
Among the winners were groups and individuals from Comhaltas groups in Lackagh, Corofin and Tuam, while Belclare and Abbeyknockmoy secured podium places at the finals too.
Lackagh won four All-Ireland titles. They secured the top spot in the U18 Grúpaí Ceoil competition, while also being named All Ireland U15 and U12 Céilí Band champions.
Conall D'Arcy also secured the national title in the U18 Accompaniment category, which is for instruments which accompany another instrument (such as guitars, pianos or harps). Overall, Lackagh Comhaltas members secured 20 podium finishes across 14 different categories at the Fleadh.
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THE set dance team representing Corofin Comhaltas were crowned All Ireland Champions at the Fleadh Ceoil in Belfast. Back row: Joe O'Brien, Francis Tyrrell, Colin McDonagh and Mike Furey. Front row: Anne Morris, Sbarina Melvin, Sheila Lynch, and Mary Murtagh.Image 2 of 5
CONALL D’Arcy of Lackagh Comhaltas won a national title in the U18 Accompaniment category at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast last weekend. Picture: Anna Allen PhotographyImage 3 of 5
RIGHT: THE Lackagh Comhaltas céilí band were crowned U12 Céilí Band champions. Picture: Anna Allen PhotographyImage 4 of 5
SHANE McGinty from Tuam Comhaltas was the winner of the U12 Fiddle Slow Arts category. Picture: Anna Allen PhotographyImage 5 of 5
CARRAIG Mór of Lackagh Comhaltas were first in the U18 Grúpaí Ceoil competition. Picture: Anna Allen PhotographyCorofin brought home another All-Ireland title to the parish courtesy of their set dancers. Anne Morris, Colin McDonagh, Francis Tyrrell, Joe O Brien, Mary Murtagh, Mike Furey, Sabrina Melvin and Sheila Lynch took first place in the Over 35s Full Set Competition.
Tuam Comhaltas had success to celebrate too, as Shane McGinty was crowned the champion in the U12 Fiddle Slow Arts category.
Other North Galway groups to have showed their skills on traditional music’s biggest stage were Belclare, who picked up four podium finishes, and Abbeyknockmoy, who secured one.
Overall, it was a fine weekend of competition for groups from across the county, as Galway Comhaltas groups won more than 40 medals, including 12 All Ireland titles, with 30 of these medals coming from North Galway groups or individuals.