Young Laois stars dance away with top titles at Fleadh Cheoil
A very proud day for the renowned Buggie School of Irish Dancing
TALENTED musicians, singers and dancers from Laois did the county proud at an unforgettable 2026 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast.
Local performers won multiple awards at the world's biggest celebration of traditional Irish music, song and dance, as more than 5,000 competitors from 25 countries gathered to compete for All-Ireland titles.
It was an amazing weekend of success for Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Éireann (CCÉ) members from Portlaoise, Spink, Camross and Portarlington, while dancers from the famous Buggie School of Irish Dancing demonstrated why the school has achieved legendary status in the highly competitive world of dance.
Portlaoise CCÉ had the largest group of local winners, including four sets of dancers, all from the Buggie School.
First place and the All-Ireland title in eight-hand céilí dancing (ladies U/12) went to Rinceoirá½· Ní Bhogaidh performers Abbie McDonald, Ella Doone, Emma McDonald, Katelyn Donoghue, Leah O'Connor, Millie Ann Buggie, Sophie O'Connor, Zoe Bowe.
First place in the four-hand céilí dancing (12-15) section also went to Rinceoirí Ni Bhogaidh Foireann Fiona (Chloe Ní Lochlain, Fiona Buggie, Millie-Ann Buggie, Sophie Ellis).
In eight-hand céilí dancing (12-15), second place went to Rinceoirá½· Ni Bhogaidh (Chloe Ni Lochlaín, Eala O'Mahoney, Emma McDonald, Fiona Buggie, Heidi Mulhall, Millie Ann Buggie, Sophie Ellis, Violet Kruger O'Connell).
In four-hand céilí dancing (U/12), third place went to Rinceoirá½· Ní Bhogaidh (Emma McDonald, Millie Ann Buggie, Sophie O Connor, Zoe Bowe).
School founder and teacher Bríd-Ann Buggie said proudly: ‘What an achievement for this fantastic group of girls. To win an All-Ireland title is a huge achievement … to win two titles on the same day, two years in a row, is a dream.
‘Huge congratulations to all of these girls who placed in every competition we participated in today. You all danced your hearts out and represented our dance school and Portlaoise CCÉ brilliantly.’
Another big winner for Portlaoise CCÉ was Róise Ní Dhaltúin, who came first in concertina (U/12) to scoop an All-Ireland title. Great performers in accompaniment were Taidhg Ó Daltúin, who came second in both bodhrán and fiddle (15-18) and Senan Moran, who took third place on fiddle in the over 18 section.
Meanwhile, Camross CCÉ had a double winner, as Rian Nolan came first in both bodhrán and céilí drums in the 12-15 age categories.
Portarlington CCE winners were Leon Magennis, who came second in miscellaneous and third on fiddle (12-15). Tom Hudson was third in the whistle slow airs section and second on flute (15-18).
Spink CCÉ winners were Kallum Sheeran, who took second place in both the mandolin and mouth organ categories (15-18) and Jack Tierney, who came second on mouth organ (12-15).
It was an extraordinary week of traditional Irish music, song and dance, with more than one million people visiting Belfast over the duration of the Fleadh.
Hosted in Belfast for the first time by Belfast City Council, in partnership with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) and Ards CCÉ, the Fleadh saw the city transformed into a vibrant celebration of Irish culture, with competitions, concerts, céilithe, sessions, workshops and events taking place across the city.
At the core of the Fleadh are the All-Ireland competitions, where musicians, singers and dancers of all ages compete at the highest level following success at regional competitions. The standard of performance throughout this year's competitions was exceptionally high, with competitors travelling from across Ireland and internationally to take part.
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the world's biggest celebration of traditional Irish music, song and dance and provides a unique cultural meeting place for performers, competitors, families and visitors from Ireland and across the globe.
Belfast's selection to host the Fleadh for a second consecutive year was announced by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, following the success of the city's bid to host the 2027 event. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2027 will take place in Belfast from 1st to 8th August 2027.
Dr Labhrás Ó'Murchú, Ardstiúrthóir, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, said, “Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann has grown from its beginnings in 1951 into a festival of world proportions, and Belfast has demonstrated once again why traditional Irish music, song and dance have such a powerful international appeal. The presence of over 5,000 competitors from 25 countries is testament to the strength, diversity and continuing growth of our traditions.”
Mandolin, 15-18, 2nd, Kallum Sheeran, CCÉ, Spink
Miscellaneous, 12-15, 2nd, Leon Magennis, CCÉ, Portarlington
Accompaniment, 15-18, 2nd, Taidhg Ó Daltúin, CCÉ, Portlaoise,
Bodhrán, 12-15, 1st, Rian Nolan, CCÉ, Camross
Bodhrán, 15-18, 2nd, Taidhg Ó Daltuin, CCÉ, Portlaoise
Céilí Drums, 12-15, 1st, Rian Nolan, CCÉ, Camross
Fiddle, 12-15, 3rd, Leon Magennis, CCÉ, Portarlington
Fiddle, Over 18, 3rd, Senan Moran, CCÉ, Portlaoise
Whistle Slow Airs, 15-18, 3rd, Tom Hudson, CCÉ, Portarlington
Flute, 15-18, 2nd, Tom Hudson, CCÉ, Portarlington
Rince Céilí Ochtair, Mná /8-Hand Céilí Dancing, U/12, 1st, Rinceoirá½· Nií Bhogaidh - Abbie McDonald, Ella Doone, Emma McDonald, Katelyn Donoghue, Leah O'Connor, Millie Ann Buggie, Sophie O'Connor, Zoe Bowe , CCÉ, Portlaoise
Rince Céilí Ochtair, Mná/8-Hand Céilí Dancing, Ladies, 12-15, 2nd, Rinceoirá½· Ni Bhogaidh (Chloe Ni Lochlaín, Eala O'Mahoney, Emma McDonald, Fiona Buggie, Heidi Mulhall, Millie Ann Buggie, Sophie Ellis, Violet Kruger O'Connell), CCÉ, Portlaoise
Rince Céilí Ceathrair, Mná/4-Hand Céilí Dancing, U/12, 3rd, Rinceoirá½· Ní Bhogaidh Foireann Millie-Ann (Emma McDonald, Millie Ann Buggie, Sophie O Connor, Zoe Bowe), CCÉ, Portlaoise
Rince Céilí Ceathrair, Mná/4-Hand Céilí Dancing, Ladies, 12-15, 1st, Rinceoirí Ni Bhogaidh Foireann Fiona (Chloe Ní Lochlain, Fiona Buggie, Millie-Ann Buggie, Sophie Ellis), CCÉ, Portlaoise
Concertina, U/12, 1st, Róise Ní Dhaltúin, CCÉ, Portlaoise
Mouth Organ, 12-15, 2nd, Jack Tierney, CCÉ, Spink
