Offaly’s newest Comhaltas branch celebrates outstanding success at Leinster Fleadh
CCÉ Craobh Chuilinn U-12 Céilí Band were crowned Leinster Champions
THE 2026 Leinster Fleadh Cheoil took place in Portlaoise recently, where Offaly’s newest Comhaltas branch, CCÉ Craobh Chuilinn - Rath, celebrated outstanding success.
The highlight of their weekend was when their U-12 Céilí Band were crowned Leinster Champions in a strong competition, triumphing over a line up of 18 bands from across the province. This is a remarkable achievement as all ten members of the band come from the parish of Drumcullen and attend the same small rural primary school (Scoil Naomh Eoin, Rath), while most bands draw members from across their entire counties and beyond.
Their U-12 Grupa Ceoil took 2nd place out of twenty groups and also go forward to represent Offaly and Leinster at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Belfast in early August.
Full List of CCÉ Craobh Chuilinn - Rath Medal winners:
U-12 Trio - Leinster Champions - Lucy Byrne, Sarah Gath & Erin Reddan.
U-12 Duet - 3rd Place, Sarah Gath & Erin Reddan.
U-9 Comhrá Gaeilge - Joint First, Róise Ní Mhuirí.
U-12 Button Accordion - 2nd Place, James McConville.
U-12 Flute - Leinster Champions, Lucy Byrne.
U-12 Tin Whistle - 2nd place, Sarah Gath, 3rd Place, Cian Kelly.
U-12 Concertina - 2nd Place, Erin Reddan.
U-12 Banjo - 3rd Place, Lucy Byrne.
U-12 Mandolin - 3rd Place, Lucy Byrne.
U-12 Piano - 2nd Place, Erin Reddan.
U-12 Accompaniment - 2nd Place, Erin Reddan.
U-12 Flute Airs - Leinster Champion, Lucy Byrne.
U-12 Whistle Airs - Leinster Champion, Sarah Gath.
U-12 Storytelling - 3rd Place, Katie Bennett.
O-18 Tin Whistle - 3rd Place, Aoibhe Dooley.
O-18 Piano - 2nd Place, Meibh Dooley.
O-18 Duets - 3rd Place, Meibh & Naoise Dooley.
Wishing all their members going forward to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in August the very best of luck.