Fleadh Cheoil: The biggest party in Ireland

You’ve most likely heard of X Factor or American Idol. But you may not have heard of the biggest traditional Irish singing and musical talent competition in the world - Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann. This is Gaelic for "Music Festival of Ireland" and is pronounced something like "Flah Key-Ole Na Hair-in."

The biggest party in Ireland

Held each year in August over nine days, this year the festival will see up to 10,000 musicians and singers from Ireland and across the globe putting on a show for more than 500,000 attendees with the help of a 1,200 strong army of volunteers.

The "Fleadh”, as it is affectionately known in Ireland, has gone from strength to strength since it’s start back in 1951 in Mullingar. It was set up by a charitable organization, the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann or CCÉ, to establish standards in Irish traditional music through competition. That first Fleadh saw just a few hundred dedicated musicians attend and compete.

Now musicians of all ages enter through regional and national stages around the world for a chance to make it to the final in Ireland. Towns and cities in Ireland compete to host the Fleadh too, with great pride taken in being chosen as hosts. It is now the largest music festival in Ireland and the largest traditional music festival in the world!

The exciting, family-friendly week of Irish cultural entertainment features lively music competitions, hundreds of pub and street sessions, concerts, singing, dancing, busking, marching and céilí bands, as well as fun days, street theatre, tours and more.

Everyone is welcome

But many say the best thing about the Fleadh is that it's a party that aims to include everyone. Local people open their homes to competitors from all over the world including Argentina, Australia, Japan, Canada, the USA, and the UK and many more. It is a love of music that brings everyone together.

Feeling Inspired?

If you do not find yourself in Ireland this August, you can still get a flavor of the Fleadh by tuning in to live coverage on the RTE International app or following it on Instagram or TikTok. And if you've been inspired to try your hand at an instrument yourself, you could always look up your own local branch to take up some lessons.

Irish Harp

If you prefer your instruments more ornamental, you may be taken with our Irish harp jewelry. As well as being a beautiful object, the Irish harp is our national emblem, deeply entwined with our culture for centuries. A symbol of Ireland for those with a passion for music or Irish heritage.