Competitions
Comhaltas holds a number of competitions annually offering musicians of all ages an opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency at local, right through to All-Ireland, levels. To enter a competition contact your local comhaltas branch.
Fleadhanna
Once a year, the Comhaltas County Board/Region organises a County/Regional Fleadh. One takes place in each of the 32 counties in Ireland and 4 regions in Britain. Competitions are held in all aspects of traditional music, song, dance, and language. Those who are successful at the county/regional fleadhanna then go on to compete at a provincial fleadh and, if successful, can then challenge for an All Ireland title at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Other regions also organise their own competitions, sending their winners to compete in Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. To enter, contact your local branch.
Ceol an Gheimhridh
Ceol an Gheimhridh is a set of competitions that is run outside of the annual Fleadh Cheoil. It is run during the winter months as the name suggests and it aims to establish standards, provide inter-branch activity and to include as many branch members as possible. Historically, it was run throughout the country, but now it is prominent in Munster Comhaltas and within some Connaught counties.
The format of competitions differs from the Fleadh Cheoil in that there are only 2 age categories – U11 and U14 and the competitions are based on instrument families – wind, reed, and string. The popular trio competition in the Fleadh is replaced by the less common quartet competition. There has also been the addition of a Slide & Polka playing competition as well as the emphasis on slide and polka sets in set dancing. Rules may change from year to year.
Pléaracha agus Scoraíocht
The objective of Pléaracha agus Scoraíocht competitions is to provide activity for as wide as possible a range of branch members, and to encourage initiative in the presentation of Irish Traditional Music, song, dance, the Irish language, storytelling and recitation.
The Scoraíocht competition is particularly intended for those with a flair for inventive presentation and depends very much on the skill of a producer with knowledge of all principles of stage presentation.
Groups are encouraged to reflect and promote local music, song and dance from their own area and credit is given by the adjudicators for the inclusion in the production of lesser known tunes, ballads and songs in the Irish language, step dancing, figure dancing and sean-nós dancing. Lilters and whistlers can also be included.