Fleadh Cheoil an Dúin back with Irish music and singing

Fleadh Cheoil an Dúin back with Irish music and singing

11 June 2025

FLEADH Cheoil an Dúin is making a welcome return to Castlewellan. 

Proudly hosted by Newcastle CCÉ, the event starts this Friday and runs until Monday, June 23.

Building on the tremendous success of 2024, this year’s fleadh promises to be even more vibrant, offering something for all lovers of Irish culture and tradition.

Events will take place across several venues in the town starting with a sets céilí this Friday in The Lodge with the Micheál Sexton Céilí Band.

This Sunday, enjoy music, song and dance in the picturesque Castlewellan Forest Park with ‘Music at the Maze’. 

Find out about the origins of place names in South Down with Ciarán Mac Murchaidh on Tuesday, June 17, in The Lodge Cultural Centre. 

All-Ireland champion singer Piaras Ó Lorcáin will be performing in Maginn’s Bar on Wednesday, 18 with all proceeds of the concert going to the Pantry Foodbank.

Now that exams are nearly over, test your brain power at the family quiz on Thursday, June 19, in The Lodge. The quiz will be followed by a fun-filled session. 

On Friday evening, June 20, Elaine O’Sullivan will be leading a session in Mulholland’s Bar. The following evening there will be sessions in both Maginn’s and Mulholland’s with some of Ireland’s finest musicians. No doubt there will be reels and jigs being played until the wee small hours. 

This year the event is returning to its roots with street sessions on Saturday afternoon, June 21. 

To close the fleadh it will be back to Mulholland’s Bar on Monday night for an Irish singing session.

Fleadh Cheoil an Dúin will also showcase a wide range of competitions in music, song and Irish language on Saturday and Sunday in St Malachy’s High School and The Lodge.

Niall Murphy, chairperson of Newcastle CCÉ, said the organisers were “delighted to have the privilege” of welcoming everyone back for 2025 with an expanded programme of events and activities.

He continued: “I want to thank the committee members of our branch whose tireless efforts have allowed us to deliver a rich programme of events spanning 10 days.

“I would also like to extend my appreciation to volunteers from across the various branches in the county, without whom’s efforts running this event would not be possible.”

He added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank our local event sponsors and support from Newry, Mourne and Down Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. 

“There is something for everyone in Fleadh Cheoil an Dúin – visit Newcastle CCÉ’s Facebook and Instagram pages to keep up with events.”