Roscrea ready to host the Tipperary County Fleadh
The Tipperary County Fleadh Cheoil takes place from 10th to 17th of May
The Roscrea branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is putting the finishing touches to its preparations for hosting the Tipperary County Fleadh Cheoil, which will take place from 10th to 17th May.
The committee, under the chairmanship of Carol Thompson, has organised a week long programme of events commencing with an Irish Mass composed by local musician Colm Brussels on Sunday 10th of May.
Colm, along with friends, will join Seamus Dyer and the local church choir to perform a selection of his compositions, marking a fitting and cultural opening to the week’s celebrations.
A book titled Lost Songs of Tipperary, collected and edited by Bill O’Brien, will be launched in Phelan’s Market House on Monday, 11th May at 8.30pm.
The launch will be followed by a traditional singing session. Jim Ryan Anthony (Jim-o’-the-Mills, Upperchurch) has described the publication as “a welcome addition to any library of song.”
Earlier that day, at 11.00am, the Leisure Centre will host an Aqua Céilí (aqua aerobics to the sound of traditional music), offering a fun and engaging way for people to take part in the week’s activities. The cost for Aqua Céilí is €8 for non-members of the leisure centre and €5 for members.
Tuesday, 12th May will see an exciting initiative titled Céíliúradh (Celebration) which will take place in the Abbey Hall at 7.00pm. This event will bring together the diverse communities in Roscrea, including members of the New Irish community, to share their talents through music, song, and dance.
Wednesday, 13th May will mark a 10-year celebration of Age Friendly Roscrea. The event will follow the Rambling House format, which takes place each month in the former Courthouse.
Anne Keevey (Anne Murray), founder of Age Friendly Roscrea, has fond memories of the early days of Comhaltas in Roscrea, noting that her father, Jack Keevey, was a founding member of the Roscrea Comhaltas branch in 1962
On Thursday, 14th May, a number of local primary schools will perform a short drama in Irish, competing for the Seosamh Mac Gabhann Drámaíocht Trophy. The event will take place in the Abbey Hall at 7:00 PM.
The official opening of the Fleadh will take place in the Muintir na Tíre Hall on Friday, 15th May at 8.00pm. On the night, a small number of awards will be presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to Comhaltas and to the wider community.
Early that afternoon, local musicians will perform a selection of tunes in Roscrea town centre, helping to set the scene for the commencement of a busy weekend.
For anyone wishing to hear or speak a cúpla focal Gaeilge, a Pop-Up Gaeltacht will be held in Roscrea Town Centre (The Gantly Way) on Saturday.
Competition is a central part of the Fleadh Cheoil. Competitions will take place in Coláiste Phobal, Roscrea, on Saturday and Sunday, 16th–17th May. They extend to music, singing, and dancing, as well as competitions for newly composed songs and tunes.
A special “session trail” has been arranged for Saturday night, so be sure to come along and enjoy the music and atmosphere.
Mass on Sunday, 17th May, will see the Theresa Larkin School of Music joining the local church choir, marking the final day of the Fleadh.
The committee warmly welcomes competitors and visitors to the heritage town of Roscrea and hope they enjoy the atmosphere and hospitality on offer. We wish all competitors the very best, regardless of the outcome, and to those who qualify for the next round in Munster (Lismore in July), we say go n-éirí libh.
The committee wishes to acknowledge and sincerely thank members of the local and business community in Roscrea who, through sponsorship or volunteering, have helped make this occasion such a success. We also extend our gratitude to members of the County Board of Comhaltas for their continued support and guidance.
A number of additional events were organised as part of the Fleadh, including an art competition sponsored by the Keevey family, and a shop window competition kindly sponsored by the Fleadh’s main sponsor, the Premier Credit Union.
Roscrea Heritage Society made a significant contribution to the Fleadh and a number of articles in the fleadh programme attest to that contribution. The Fleadh souvenir programme comprises over 130 pages, thanks to the efforts of Kathryn Browne. It features details of competitors, articles, seanfhocail, stories, art competition winners, and more, creating a lasting and enjoyable record of the 2026 Tipperary County Fleadh Cheoil in Roscrea.