Each year Comhaltas organises competitions in all the instruments of the Irish musical tradition, as well as in singing, dancing, Gaelic conversation and whistling. The competition event is known as a 'fleadh' pronounced 'flah' - the title of this page is the plural.

Competitions are organised at county/regional, provincial and at national level. the fleadh competitions are open at county/regional level but in order to compete at provincial or national level candidates have to achieve 1st or 2nd place in their specific instrument or skill at county/regional level. If a candidate then gets 1st or 2nd place at provincial level they qualify to compete in the national fleadh in Ireland. To achieve a win at the All Ireland Fleadh is virtually be accorded the title World Champion.

The competitions are age-group specific. It would not be right for a nine year old who has been playing the flute for a year to have to compete with an adult who has played for 50 years. So, there are under 9, under 12, 12 -15, 15-18 and 18+ competitions.

In Britain, a regional fleadh e.g. the Scottish or Midland Region, is held in the Spring. The Provincial competition - The All Britain Fleadh - is held in high summer and finally, the All Ireland Fleadh takes place  at the end of August. All around the world thousands of hopefuls  enter each year. The standard is consequently very high indeed and that is part of the rationale for the whole phenomenon.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

 

 

 

CEOL AGUS GAOL

 

 

 

Craobh - Teachers - What Goes? - A History of Comhaltas - An Ghaeilge - Fleadhanna   

  - Membership -  How to contact us - 'ECHOES OF IRELAND'

Ceangail (Links) - Great Irish Sites - St Patrick's Céilí - Cúlra