Beomhar and Neart do Laois proud at Siansa Gael Linn 2026
The traditional group Neart, one of two teams with members from Laois who took part in Siansa Gael Linn 2026.
BEOMHAR, a traditional music group comprised of teenagers from counties Laois and Offaly, came second in the final of Siansa Gael Linn 2026.
The competition, which took place Sunday 12 April at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, celebrates traditional music groups.
Organised by Gael Linn, with the support of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and , it provides a platform to Ireland’s young traditional music and singing talent.
Members of Beomhar met at various music festivals and Fleadhs around the country. They are all involved with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in their own communities.
Members of the group have won individual awards in both music and singing. The band includes Polly Ní Nualláin on piano; Lila Ní Nualláin on fiddle; Lucy Ní Mhaolmhuaigh on the flute and whistle; Áine Ní Chinnsealaigh on fiddle; Fionnán Ó Daltúin on banjo, mandolin and bazouki; Taidgh Ó Daltúin on flute, bodhrán and guitar; Seaic Ó Huiginn on accordion, melodeon; and Kieu Ní Chonraí on harp.
The final aired on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and was presented by Tristan Rosenstock. A total of eight music groups took to the stage having qualified through preliminary rounds to reach the final.
This year's judges included harper, flute player and composer Oisín Morrison, concertina player Edel Fox, and fiddle player Bernadette Nic Gabhann.
The competition was won by the group Aistear from County Clare, who took home the Gael Linn trophy and a cheque for €2,500.
Second place went to Laois and Offaly’s own Beomhar, who received €1,250.
Neart, a group from counties Laois, Dublin, and Meath, also took part in the competition. They are a group of friends, as well as family members. Some of the group met at school, in Coláiste Ghlór na Mara, while others met while taking part in Meitheal Summer School.
The band members are Aoibheann Nic Conchra on fiddle/low whistle; Ciannait Ní Leathlobhair on fiddle; Caoilinn Morrow on concertina; Edith Ní Leathlobhair on fiddle, concertina; Leo Bennet on piano/low whistle; Ruadhán Collier O’Brien on pipes, guitar, banjo; Ethan McCaughey on button accordion; and Cathal Mac Conchra on low whistle, bodhrán.
Craobh Siansa Gael Linn competition has been running since 2001 and is one of the country’s leading traditional music and singing competitions.
Gearóid Mac Donncha, Head of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, said: “RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta is very grateful to Gael Linn for organising this wonderful competition for young musicians and for giving us the opportunity to sponsor it.
“It is a privilege for us to be able to support these young musicians by giving their music a national and international platform through our radio and online broadcasts. We would like to congratulate them all, their parents, and their teachers, as they have all come a long way to achieve this high standard.”
Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, CEO of Gael Linn, said that it always gives him great joy to see the talent of these young people on one of the biggest stages in the country. He said: “Craobh Siansa Gael Linn is always one of the highlights of the year for Gael Linn. The competitors display outstanding music, performance, and talent.
“We are hugely grateful to the mentors who put in countless hours preparing these groups for the competition and, at the same time, strengthening traditional Irish music among young people.”
Craobh Siansa Gael Linn 2026 can be listened back to on the RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta website.
All group performances are available on the Gael Linn YouTube page.
