fleadh

Fleadh is an Irish term meaning festival or gathering. In cultural usage, it refers to organized events that celebrate traditional Irish music, dance, and language, often incorporating competitions, performances, and social sessions. The term is widely associated with the tradition of Irish music and its community roots.

The most prominent fleadh is the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (All-Ireland Fleadh), organized by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE). The Fleadh Cheoil movement also includes regional fleadhs held throughout Ireland and in many countries with Irish communities. These events typically run for several days and feature a mix of formal competitions, concerts, and informal seisiúin (sessions) in pubs and streets.

Competitions form a central part of fleadhs. Participants compete in solo and group categories across instruments such as fiddle, flute, tin whistle, uilleann pipes, bodhrán, accordion, concertina, bouzouki, guitar, and voice. There are also categories for traditional singing (notably sean-nós) and for dancing, including set dancing and ceili dancing. Adjudicators assess technique, timing, and stylistic authenticity, with winners gaining recognition within the traditional music community.

Diaspora communities around the world host fleadhs as well, preserving Irish musical traditions outside Ireland and often culminating in a national or international final. Fleadhs serve as important venues for education, mentorship, and cultural exchange, helping to transmit repertoire and performance practices to younger generations while supporting local economies through tourism and family participation. The word fleadh itself underscores the festival's role as a gathering of people around shared culture.