History - Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann - Music Festival of Ireland

The first national festival of Irish traditional music, song and dance was held in Mullingar, early in 1951.

At the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann inaugural meeting in September 1951 it was decided to create a national festival named Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (Festival of Music in Ireland).

County, Provincial and worldwide Fleadhanna have found their places in the traditional Irish music calendar and annual Comhaltas events include Fleadh Nua, Fleadh na Breataine (an All-Britain Fleadh Cheoil), regional Fleadhanna in Britain, Japan and the USA.

The goal of the Fleadh Cheoil has been to establish standards in Irish traditional music through competition. The Fleadh has developed as a mainly competitive event, but it also includes showcases of concerts, céilithe, parades, pageants, and street sessions.

The continued growth in the number and standard of Fleadhanna held each year have facilitated competitors to qualify from county, provincial and regional levels, producing a manageable number of participants at the high standard expected from the All-Ireland finals at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

The Fleadhanna at each level provide a platform and a meeting place for over 10,000 musicians, who carry on the great tradition of playing and cherishing our music, songs, and dances.

And when the competitions are over, all can join in impromptu sessions which sometimes last until the early hours.