A new podcast celebrating youth voices and experiences within Comhaltas as part of 75 Bliain Ag Fás. Episodes dropping every Wednesday ahead of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026

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This episode brings Foinneóg: 75 Bliain ag Fás to a close with a live conversation about the future of Comhaltas. Joined by Donagh McElligott, Dúlra Hanley, Danny Burke and Órla Brannigan, we look back on the themes explored throughout the series and ahead to what Comhaltas could look like in 2030 and beyond.---------------------------------------------------------Chapters:(00:00) Welcome(01:17) Meet the Panel(03:07) What Is Comhaltas?(04:41) Teaching Tradition and Gaeilge(15:04) Youth Leadership and the Fleadh(20:28) Teaching and the Fleadh(21:41) Next 75 Years Vision(22:22) Quickfire Round(28:32) Advice and Final Farewell ---------------------------------------------------------Credits:Hosted by Máire Ní ChurraoinProduced by Calum McGregor and David BrowneVoiceover by Willie FogartyWith thanks to all at Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann---------------------------------------------------------Theme Tune: The Winning Bid by Rory Matheson and Graham Rorie. Used with permission, all rights remain with the original copyright holder.---------------------------------------------------------This podcast has been produced on behalf of the Ardchomhairle CCÉ to celebrate 75 Bliain Ag Fás; 75 years of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The views expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

Episode 10: Comhaltas 2030 - Live at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 in Béal Feirste

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This episode is all about performance and upskilling with Benedict Morris. We chat about managing nerves, learning from other musicians, life on the road with bands like Talisk and Dallahan, and the experiences that have helped shape him as a performer.---------------------------------------------------------Chapters:(00:00) Welcome(02:33) Comhaltas Beginnings(06:27) From Trad to Conservatoire(12:42) Competitions and Going Pro(33:12) The Music Industry Manual(38:07) Arranging Through Comhaltas(43:21) Tour Day Breakdown(46:26) Nerves and Mistakes(55:48) Final Thoughts and Quickfire Round---------------------------------------------------------Credits:Hosted by Máire Ní ChurraoinProduced by Calum McGregor and David BrowneVoiceover by Willie FogartyWith thanks to all at Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann---------------------------------------------------------Theme Tune: The Winning Bid by Rory Matheson and Graham Rorie. Used with permission, all rights remain with the original copyright holder.---------------------------------------------------------This podcast has been produced on behalf of the Ardchomhairle CCÉ to celebrate 75 Bliain Ag Fás; 75 years of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The views expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

Episode 9: Performance and Upskilling with Benedict Morris

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This episode is all about music and media with Jack Warnock. We chat about sharing the tradition online, finding your own voice as an artist, bringing songs and stories to new audiences, and how media can help traditional music reach people in new ways.---------------------------------------------------------Chapters:(00:00) Welcome(03:31) First Steps in Comhaltas(05:36) Performance and Recording Work(09:52) Digital Music and Tradition(16:15) Recording Journey and Album(30:30) Heritage and Family Connections(32:17) Future Generations and Archives(33:45) Social Media Impact on Trad(37:15) Sessions and Public Engagement(47:35) Final Advice and Quickfire Round---------------------------------------------------------Credits:Hosted by Máire Ní ChurraoinProduced by Calum McGregor and David BrowneVoiceover by Willie FogartyWith thanks to all at Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann---------------------------------------------------------Theme Tune: The Winning Bid by Rory Matheson and Graham Rorie. Used with permission, all rights remain with the original copyright holder.---------------------------------------------------------This podcast has been produced on behalf of the Ardchomhairle CCÉ to celebrate 75 Bliain Ag Fás; 75 years of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The views expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

Episode 8: Music and Media with Jack Warnock

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This episode is all about youth leadership in Comhaltas with Ciarán Fitzgerald. We chat about getting involved, finding your voice, taking on responsibility, and why young people have such an important role to play in shaping the future of the tradition.---------------------------------------------------------Chapters:(00:00) Welcome(01:16) Meet Ciaran Fitzgerald(02:01) From Family Roots to Comhaltas(04:33) Multi Instrument Journey(07:40) Ranking the Instruments(10:42) What Leadership Means(18:34) The Misneach Orchestra(24:55) Leading a 60 Piece Orchestra(33:00) Looking Forward and Quickfire Round---------------------------------------------------------Credits:Hosted by Máire Ní ChurraoinProduced by Calum McGregor and David BrowneVoiceover by Willie FogartyWith thanks to all at Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann---------------------------------------------------------Theme Tune: The Winning Bid by Rory Matheson and Graham Rorie. Used with permission, all rights remain with the original copyright holder.---------------------------------------------------------This podcast has been produced on behalf of the Ardchomhairle CCÉ to celebrate 75 Bliain Ag Fás; 75 years of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The views expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

Episode 7: Youth Leadership in Comhaltas with Ciarán Fitzgerald

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This episode is all about the global Comhaltas community with Annie Ryan and Patrick Ballantyne. We chat about travelling with the tradition, making connections across countries, keeping culture alive away from home, and why Comhaltas continues to bring people together around the world.---------------------------------------------------------Chapters:(00:00) Welcome(01:53) What Comhaltas Means(03:15) First Days in Comhaltas(05:45) A Global Music Network(10:57) Competing, Teaching &amp; Leading(25:21) Dubai Comhaltas(36:57) Cross Cultural Trad Fusion(41:02) Advice, Quickfire, &amp; Farewell ---------------------------------------------------------Credits:Hosted by Máire Ní ChurraoinProduced by Calum McGregor and David BrowneVoiceover by Willie FogartyWith thanks to all at Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann---------------------------------------------------------Theme Tune: The Winning Bid by Rory Matheson and Graham Rorie. Used with permission, all rights remain with the original copyright holder.---------------------------------------------------------This podcast has been produced on behalf of the Ardchomhairle CCÉ to celebrate 75 Bliain Ag Fás; 75 years of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The views expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

Episode 6: The Global Comhaltas Community with Annie Ryan and Patrick Ballantyne

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This episode is all about the social side of tradition with Iona Ritchie and Donnchadh Mac Aodha. We chat about the friendships, sessions, festivals and late nights that bring people together, and why the social side of traditional music is often what keeps people coming back.---------------------------------------------------------Chapters:(00:00) Welcome(06:26) Comhaltas Beginnings(25:24) UCC Trad Soc Adventures(29:48) Trad Soc and Tradfest Highlights(32:03) Sessions, Festivals and Stage(39:16) Comhaltas Reflections (48:01) Quickfire Round(56:52) Mid-Credits Scene---------------------------------------------------------Credits:Hosted by Máire Ní ChurraoinProduced by Calum McGregor and David BrowneVoiceover by Willie FogartyWith thanks to all at Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann---------------------------------------------------------Theme Tune: The Winning Bid by Rory Matheson and Graham Rorie. Used with permission, all rights remain with the original copyright holder.---------------------------------------------------------This podcast has been produced on behalf of the Ardchomhairle CCÉ to celebrate 75 Bliain Ag Fás; 75 years of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The views expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

Episode 5: The Social Side of Tradition with Iona Ritchie and Donnchadh Mac Aodha

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This episode is all about the resurgence of set dancing with Emily Greaney. We chat about learning the steps, the social side of the dance, making friends along the way, and why set dancing is finding a whole new generation of dancers.---------------------------------------------------------Chapters:(00:00) Welcome(02:27) Emily’s Dance Journey(08:01) Sets, Figures and Teaching(17:48) Music &amp; Dance(19:55) Set Dancing Stage Prep(24:27) Final Questions &amp; Quickfire Round---------------------------------------------------------Credits:Hosted by Máire Ní ChurraoinProduced by Calum McGregor and David BrowneVoiceover by Willie FogartyWith thanks to all at Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann---------------------------------------------------------Theme Tune: The Winning Bid by Rory Matheson and Graham Rorie. Used with permission, all rights remain with the original copyright holder.---------------------------------------------------------This podcast has been produced on behalf of the Ardchomhairle CCÉ to celebrate 75 Bliain Ag Fás; 75 years of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The views expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

Episode 4: The Resurgence of Set Dancing with Emily Greaney

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This episode is all about the Irish language and our music with Róise Ní Mhurchú. We chat about singing, lilting, storytelling, and the way language helps bring extra meaning and life to the tradition.---------------------------------------------------------Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(01:51) Musical Roots and Comhaltas(06:07) Learning Songs and Passing Them On(20:04) Róise’s Lilting Journey(27:21) Learning Tunes by Lilting(30:30) Fleadh Memories and Community(32:14) Song Versions and Dialects(42:23) Comhaltas Advice and Quickfire Round---------------------------------------------------------Credits:Hosted by Máire Ní ChurraoinProduced by Calum McGregor and David BrowneVoiceover by Willie FogartyWith thanks to all at Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann---------------------------------------------------------Theme Tune: The Winning Bid by Rory Matheson and Graham Rorie. Used with permission, all rights remain with the original copyright holder.---------------------------------------------------------This podcast has been produced on behalf of the Ardchomhairle CCÉ to celebrate 75 Bliain Ag Fás; 75 years of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The views expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

Episode 3: Irish Language and Our Music with Róise Ní Mhurchú

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This episode is all about teaching and mentorship with Máire Brennan and Eoin Burke. We chat about the people who shape us, passing music on, and the small bits of advice that can stick with you for years.---------------------------------------------------------Chapters:(00:00) Welcome(01:16) Comhaltas Journeys and First Memories(09:11) Teaching Trad Music and SCT Exams(22:40) TTCT Training Week(26:21) Passing Down Regional Style(29:12) Role Models and Advice(34:06) 75 Bliain Ag Fás and Quickfire Round---------------------------------------------------------Credits:Hosted by Máire Ní ChurraoinProduced by Calum McGregor and David BrowneVoiceover by Willie FogartyWith thanks to all at Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann---------------------------------------------------------Theme Tune: The Winning Bid by Rory Matheson and Graham Rorie. Used with permission, all rights remain with the original copyright holder.---------------------------------------------------------This podcast has been produced on behalf of the Ardchomhairle CCÉ to celebrate 75 Bliain Ag Fás; 75 years of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The views expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

Episode 2: Teaching and Mentorship with Máire Brennan and Eoin Burke

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This episode kicks things off with Orla Ní Chorragáin as we chat about first days, early teachers, Comhaltas memories, and the moments that started it all.---------------------------------------------------------Chapters:(00:00) Meet Orla and Her Musical Roots(03:24) First Comhaltas Class Memories(07:16) Fiddle Stories and Finding Your Style(15:21) Competitions and Fleadh Highs(24:38) Teaching at Comhaltas(29:28) Youth Officer Goals and Future Hopes(39:47) Quickfire Round and Farewell---------------------------------------------------------Credits:Hosted by Máire Ní ChurraoinProduced by Calum McGregor and David BrowneVoiceover by Willie FogartyWith thanks to all at Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann---------------------------------------------------------Theme Tune: The Winning Bid by Rory Matheson and Graham Rorie. Used with permission, all rights remain with the original copyright holder.---------------------------------------------------------This podcast has been produced on behalf of the Ardchomhairle CCÉ to celebrate 75 Bliain Ag Fás; 75 years of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The views expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

Episode 1: Beginnings in Comhaltas with Orla Ní Chorragáin

A new podcast celebrating youth voices and experiences within Comhaltas as part of 75 Bliain Ag Fás. Episodes dropping every Wednesday ahead of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026