About Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Founded in
branches
classes per week
fleadh visitors
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí ÉireannComhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Gathering of Musicians of Ireland the largest group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music. We’re a non-profit cultural movement with hundreds of local branches throughout Ireland and around the world.
A community and volunteer based organisation, ComhaltasComhaltas Association, gathering, brotherhood has been providing opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds, but especially the young, to enjoy and participate in the traditions of Ireland since 1951.
Cairdeas Tour 2025
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann are excited to present their new show Cairdeas.
Latest news
Sraith sé chlár a thugann léargas dúinn ar Fhleadh Cheoil na bliana seo
Ag teacht go RTÉ One agus RTÉ Player Dé hAoine, an 24…
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Focus on Friendship For New Comhaltas Show
Cairdeas’, a new show from ComhaltasComhaltas Association, gathering, brotherhood Ceolteoirí ÉireannÉireann AY-renIreland,…
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Explore Comhaltas further…
Education
Comhaltas delivers 1000s of educational opportunities, classes and programmes including branch classes, SCT graded exams, TTCT teacher training, Scoil ÉigseScoil Éigse An annual week-long school of traditional Irish music, summer schools and more …
Events
FleadhannaFleadhanna Plural of Fleadh, meaning “festivals. (music festivals) take place at County, Provincial, National and International levels, Comhaltas also delivers a wide variety of community events, festivals, summer schools and Féilte which add to the cultural offering and landscape of Irish culture at home and overseas.
And further…
Comhaltas Worldwide
From Australia to Argentina, Japan to Dubai, across 5 continents, Comhaltas is facilitating a tangible connection back to Ireland for many people overseas and is growing Ireland’s cultural potential around the globe.
GaeilgeGaeilge GWAYL-guhThe Irish language
Our native language is a cornerstone of our rich cultural heritage. Comhaltas works with a wide range of bodies to promote the language and encourages its everyday use in all the activities of the movement.
What’s happening at Comhaltas
Meet the Musicians
With just five days to go until the launch of the Cairdeas Tour, we are delighted to introduce Mary Kelly from County Kilkenny.
Mary is a multiple award-winning musician. As a soloist, she previously played for the late Queen Elizabeth II at the Rock of Cashel during her State visit to Ireland in 2011, and more recently for King Charles at the Brú Ború Cultural Centre, Cashel, Co. Tipperary. She is a regular performer in Áras an Uachtaráin since 2004 for President Micheal D. Higgins and former President Mary McAleese and performed in the Seanad Chamber, Leinster House for the Centenary of the Seanad ÉireannÉireann AY-renIreland in 2022.
Don’t miss Mary on stage during the week long Cairdeas Tour, her talent is sure to captivate audiences.
BÍGÍ LINN – for more information and to get your tickets visit: comhaltas.ie/cairdeas-concert
#comhaltas #cairdeas #comhaltastour2025 #iplaytrad
Meet the Musicians
Another of the outstanding musicians on the Cairdeas Tour is Iarla McMahon from County Armagh.
An All-Ireland champion on the tin whistle and pipes, Iarla also plays flute with the Colla CéilíCéilí KAY-leeIrish dance evening Band and will feature on banjo and bouzouki during the Comhaltas Cairdeas concerts. Outside of music, he’s a final-year Computer Science student at Queen’s University
Belfast.
Catch Iarla and his fellow performers on the Cairdeas tour from 25th to 31st October 2025.
BÍGÍ LINN – for more information and to get your tickets visit: comhaltas.ie/cairdeas-concert
#comhaltas #cairdeas #comhaltastour2025 #iplaytrad
Meet the Narrator
Joining Ciana on stage to tell the story of Cairdeas is Diarmuid De Faoite.
Diarmuid from County Clare, has worked extensively in theatre across Ireland and abroad. His television work has earned him
an IFTA nomination, and his filmography includes roles in Pilgrimage, Kings and 10 Steps. His accolades include the Stewart Parker/BBC NI Best Play award and the Celtic Media Festival best feature documentary award for Pádraic Ó Conaire.
Don’t miss Diarmuid and Ciana as they take us on the journey of Cairdeas.
BÍGÍ LINN – for more information and to get your tickets visit: comhaltas.ie/cairdeas-concert
#comhaltas #cairdeas #comhaltastour2025 #iplaytrad
Meet the Dancers
Sophie Dunford from Waterford joins fellow dancers Liam and Caelainn as part of the Cairdeas dancing team.
Having started dancing at just six years old, Sophie has since travelled the world performing in places such as Nashville, Montreal, Washington, and Toronto.
A multiple Top 20 World Championship finalist and third place in Munster, Sophie has also appeared in professional productions, including Riverdance at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre.
Audiences will love Sophie’s passion for Irish dance and the energy she brings to every performance.
BÍGÍ LINN – for more information and to get your tickets visit: comhaltas.ie/cairdeas-concert
#comhaltas #cairdeas #comhaltastour2025 #iplaytrad
Meet the Singers
It is a pleasure to introduce renowned tenor Anthony Kearns.
Hailing from County Wexford, Anthony began his career in music at a young age competing for many years in Scór, Cheoil an Gheimhridh and Fleadh CheoilFleadh Cheoil Festival of Music.. He rose to international fame as a member of The Irish Tenors, touring the world both as a solo performer and as part of the group.
He has sung for four U.S. Presidents, Pope Francis and audiences from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House.
We are delighted to have Anthony join us on the Cairdeas Tour, where audiences are sure to be captivated by his outstanding performances.
BÍGÍ LINN – for more information and to get your tickets visit: comhaltas.ie/cairdeas-concert
#comhaltas #cairdeas #comhaltastour2025 #iplaytrad
Meet the Musicians
Next up in our Meet the Musicians is Ademar O’Connor from County Offaly.
A 23 time All-Ireland champion, Ademar O’Connor has achieved remarkable success across multiple instruments. In 2023, he claimed senior All-Ireland titles in both fiddle and banjo, as well as winning the Fiddler Of London, the Fiddler of Dooney and the Ed Reavy competition. Since then, he has gone on to win three more senior competitions. Ademar has performed worldwide, appeared on The Late Late Toy Show and shared the stage with Sharon Shannon.
You won’t want to miss Ademar on stage, as he performs with his fellow musicians in the spectacular new show Cairdeas.
BÍGÍ LINN – For more information and to get your tickets visit: comhaltas.ie/cairdeas-concert
#comhaltas #cairdeas #comhaltastour2025 #iplaytrad
Meet the Narrators
We are honoured to have Ciana Campbell join us on our tour as one of our narrators. As a familiar voice to many, she is sure to capture the true essence of friendship and bring our story to life on stage.
Ciana spent eighteen years working in radio and television with RTÉ, earning accolades such as the Jacob’s Award and the A.T. Cross Woman Journalist award. She now specialises in communications training and presentations for companies and organisations at both local and national level.
BÍGÍ LINN – for more information and to get your tickets visit: comhaltas.ie/cairdeas-concert
#comhaltas #cairdeas #comhaltastour2025 #iplaytrad
Meet the Singers
Audiences are in for a real treat on the Cairdeas tour, the talent on stage is outstanding. We are delighted to introduce the first of our singers – Karen Trench.
Karen, from Listowel, Co. Kerry, began her singing journey in the Fleadh Cheoil competitions, from the under-12 age group right through to senior level, in both Amhránaíocht and English ballad sections. She has won Senior All-Ireland titles in both disciplines. Karen continues to share her love of singing socially at the singing club and rambling house.
Don’t miss the chance to hear Karen and the incredible Cairdeas performers live as they tour across the Island. For more information and to get your tickets visit: comhaltas.ie/cairdeas-concert
#comhaltas #cairdeas #comhaltastour2025 #iplaytrad
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