2025 Ulster Fleadh success with 36 Donegal qualifiers for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

Musicians, dancers, and storytellers from Donegal competed at the 2025 Ulster Fleadh, held in Warrenpoint, earning 36 qualification entries into Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025, hosted by Wexford in August. 

Out of 129 Donegal competitors during the week of July 20 to 28, 16 representatives from Donegal won their categories to be declared Ulster Fleadh champions, with two categories dominated by a top-three placing, all from Donegal.

Séarlas O’Baoill from Oileán Thuraí CCÉ won the under-12 Irish Singing Men category, followed by Ultán Ó Dónaill of Rann na Feirste CCÉ in second place, and Iarlaith O’Dochartaigh of Ard an Rátha CCÉ in third.

In the under-12 Scéalaiocht competition, Cassie Nic Grianna of Anagaire CCÉ achieved first place, with Jonathan Ó Gallachóir of Ard an Rátha CCÉ in second, and Erin Gallagher of Cronkeerin CCÉ in third. Nic Grianna was also named as a qualifier in the Comhrá Gaeilge (9-11) competition.

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The Seamus Mac Giolla Bhríde CCÉ, based in Carndonagh, had three winners with Odhrán Woods (15-18 Whistle), Lily Rose Grant (under-12 Piano Accordion), and Bríana Ní Lochlainn (under-12 Flute Slow Airs).

CCÉ Phil Rooney, based in Ballyshannon, Bundoran, Kinlough, and Tullaghan, celebrated a pair of winners in Daithí Sheerin (15-18 Melodeon) and Oisín  McGrath (12-15 Miscellaneous), as did Mín na Croise CCÉ with Ollie Glendinning (under-12 Whistle Slow Airs) and Daíre O’Baoill (Over-18 Irish Singing Men).

O’Baoill also qualified for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025 after earning third place in the Over-18 English Singing Men category, as did Glendinning, who secured second place in the under-12 Whistle competition. 

Cloich Cheann Fhaola earned a double success in the under-18 and over-18 miscellaneous marching band competitions, and Ardara CCÉ achieved first place in the over-18 8-hand céilí dancing ladies, and third place in the 4-hand céili dancing ladies. 

Other Donegal-based winners include Cara Gallagher of Cronkeerin CCÉ in the 12-15 Scéalaíocht: Letterkenny and District Pipe Band in the Pipe Marching Bands; Shannan McKinley of Letterkenny CCÉ in the 12-15 English Singing Ladies; and Bernie Kavanagh in the ‘Newly Composed Songs in Irish.’ 

A full list of Donegal-based qualifiers for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025 can be seen below. 

Ulster Fleadh 1st Place:

U12 Flute Slow Airs: Bríana Ní Lochlainn - Seamus Mac Giolla Bhríde CCÉ

U12 Whistle Slow Airs: Ollie Glendinning - Mín na Croise CCÉ

U12 Irish Singing Men - Séarlas O’Baoill - Oileán Thuraí CCÉ

U12 Scéalaíocht: Cassie Níc Grianna - Anagaire CCÉ

U12 Piano Accordion: Lily Rose Grant - Seamus Mac Giolla Bhríde CCÉ

12-15 Miscellaneous: Oisín McGrath - Phil Rooney CCÉ

12-15 English Singing Ladies: Shannan McKinley - Letterkenny CCÉ

12-15 Scéalaíocht: Cara Gallagher - Cronkeerin CCÉ

15-18 Whistle: Odhrán Woods - Seamus Mac Giolla Bhríde CCÉ

15-18 Melodeon: Daithí Sheerin - Phil Rooney CCÉ

U18 Miscellaneous Marching Band: Cloich Cheann Fhaola 

O18 Miscellaneous Marching Band: Cloich Cheann Fhaola , 

O18 Irish Singing Men: Daíre O’Baoill - Mín na Croise CCÉ

Pipe Marching Bands: Letterkenny and District Pipe Band

Newly Composed Songs In Irish - Bernie Kavanagh 

O18 8-Hand Céilí Dancing Ladies - Ardara CCÉ 

Ulster Fleadh 2nd Place:

U12 Flute: Bríana Ní Lochlainn - Seamus Mac Giolla Bhríde CCÉ

U12 Whistle: Ollie Glendinning - Mín na Croise CCÉ

U12 Irish Singing Men: Ultán Ó’Dónaill - Rann na Feirste CCÉ

U12 Scéalaíocht: Jonathan Ó Gallachóir - Ard an Rátha CCÉ

U12 Mandolin: Jack Bonar - Mín na Croise CCÉ

12-15 Fiddle: Micháel McGrath - Phil Rooney CCÉ

12-15 Piano Accordion: Jessica O’Donnell - Carrigans CCÉ

12-15 Bodhrán: Dallán Woods - Seamus Mac Giolla Bhríde CCÉ

15-18 Scéalaíocht: Dearbhla Ní Dheoráin - Killybegs CCÉ

O18 Melodeon: Aisling Ní Churraighín - Teileann CCÉ

Newly Composed Tunes Any Age: Fiadh Davies - Seamus Mac Giolla Bhríde CCÉ

Ulster Fleadh 3rd Place:

U12 Fiddle Slow Airs: Micháel McGrath - Phil Rooney CCÉ

U12 Irish Singing Men: Iarlaith O’Dochartaigh - Ard an Rátha CCÉ

U12 Scéalaíocht: Erin Gallagher - Cronkeerin CCÉ 

12-15 Mandolin: Oisín McGrath - Phil Rooney CCÉ

15-18 Irish Singing (Ladies): Aine Ní Fhearraigh - Mín na Croise CCÉ

O18 English Singing (Men): Daíre O’Baoill - Mín na Croise CCÉ

4-Hand Céilí Dancing Ladies: Ardara CCÉ

Ulster Fleadh Qualifiers:

Comhrá Gaeilge (9-11) Cassie Níc Grianna - Anagaire CCÉ

Comhrá Gaeilge (15-18) Dearbhla Ní Dheoráin - Killybegs CCÉ