Portlaoise Comhaltas celebrates amazing Fleadh achievements
With trophies won by the branch at Leinster and All Ireland Fleadh, from left: Bríd-Ann Buggie, Ann-Marie Kelly, Mary O’Reilly, chairman PJ Phelan, Catriona George, Gráinne Buggie and Katherine Penfold at the Portlaoise CCE celebratory night in The Heath Golf Club, following their success at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford. Photo: Alf Harvey
THE extraordinary success of Portlaoise Comhaltas at the 2025 Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann was celebrated at a joyful gathering in The Heath Golf Club.
One of the most successful branches of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in Leinster, the group scooped a rich collection of medals at the national event held in Wexford.
The local celebration on Friday 5 September paid tribute to all performers who did Portlaoise Comhaltas proud at the memorable Fleadh in August.
However, there was also an urgent appeal for a permanent home for the thriving branch, which has enrolled more than 1,000 young people and adults over the past decade but has no long-term centre.
Laoise Comhaltas president Brendan Reilly told the gathering that he could not have foreseen the way the Portlaoise branch went “from strength to strength” since it was reformed in 2009, hosting the county and Leinster Fleadhs a number of times while catering for so many children and adults.
He appealed to the many local representatives at the celebration to support the development of a centre similar to that in Mullingar, as Portlaoise Comhaltas still has no permanent home 16 years after the branch was revived.
Branch treasurer Jason Conroy said the group could not function without the help of the board of management at St Francis School on the Borris Road, which kindly provides space.
Pride of place at the celebration ceremony went to Golden Croft Grúpa Ceoil which took bronze, with all 20 members receiving a coveted All Ireland medal. Group members were also outright winners of nine other events - harp, banjo, bodhrán, mandolin, harp airs, concertina, melodion, duet and singing. All received a personalised framed citation of their achievements.
Branch chair PJ Phelan pointed out that some members of Golden Croft have been with Portlaoise Comhaltas since the Ennis Fleadh in 2017 and have competed in younger age categories in Drogheda and Mullingar. He conveyed congratulations from mentors Áine McGeeney and Colm Phelan, who were in America on tour with their band Goitse.
Members of the Buggie School of Irish Dancing are an integral part of Portlaoise Comhaltas and all four dance teams won medals at the Fleadh céilí competitions - two gold, one silver and one bronze.
Presentations were made to dance teachers Bríd-Ann and Gráinne Buggie and music teachers Katherine Penfold, Catriona Killeen and Mary O’Reilly, who have specific responsibilities on the teaching panel that includes a number of third level students, who have come through the ranks to maintain the continuity of accomplished teachers specialising in various areas.
Laois Co Council chair Cllr Barry Walsh complimented Portlaoise Comhaltas members, as he described the wonderful results as a credit to parents, voluntary organisers, teachers and, above all, the talent of young people who attend weekly classes.
The celebration was held in advance of an open evening at 7pm this Friday 12 September at St Francis School, to enlist new members for the traditional music classes.
The open evening will begin with a short presentation, outlining the system of teaching provided and the achievements of members in recent years. There will then be an opportunity to meet teachers and advanced students, with a chance to try a musical instrument for those who haven’t yet settled on a preference.
All instruments suitable for playing traditional melody and percussion, such as bodhrán and céilí drums, are catered for with support from an instrument bank in certain cases, including harp, pipes, fiddle, button accordion and flute, subject to availability.
