Our Fleadh Journey: Ceol Le Chéile in Wexford

Youth Officer Calum reflects on Ceol Le Chéile’s All-Ireland debut, sharing what it was like to be part of the newly founded provincial youth orchestra as they took to the stage for their first performances at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford. From rehearsals and nerves, to the thrill of playing in front of a sold-out audience, he looks back on an unforgettable Fleadh, where young musicians from across the regions came together to share music, memories, and community.

Hey everyone, it’s Calum from Ceol Le Chéile with a quick update on what we’ve been up to!

For anyone new here, Ceol Le Chéile is our Provincial Youth Orchestra, founded in 2025 to encourage cross-regional collaboration and give young musicians real-life experience of performing at a professional level. It’s not only about building confidence on stage, but also about showing how a career in music can be a genuine path for those who might never have considered it.

When you last heard from Caitlin, we’d just wrapped up our residential rehearsal weekend ahead of our first-ever performances at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford. Needless to say, we were buzzing to share the brilliant arrangements put together by our musical director, Hugh Sheehan.

Our first gig was in the Wexford Opera House. With over 800 seats, the nerves were definitely there, but so was the excitement. After soundcheck we squeezed in one final run-through, then took a moment to focus and settle ourselves before being called to the stage. The show itself was unbelievable - a sold-out crowd, an incredible atmosphere, and a huge sense of achievement for us as an ensemble.

The following day we performed on the St Iberius’ Gig Rig - a real highlight for many of us who grew up at the Fleadh, dreaming of being up there ourselves. The sun was shining, friends and family were in the audience, and the energy from the crowd made it an unforgettable experience.

Of course, the Fleadh isn’t just about the music. Between our own events and competitions, we also had time to hang out, and it was amazing to connect with people we hadn’t known before Ceol Le Chéile. This project is so much more than just an orchestra - it’s about making friends, building community, and creating memories that will last well beyond the gigs, while also empowering young musicians to take the lead in organising the events, practices, and infrastructure behind the orchestra. If you’re between 18 and 26, I can’t recommend it enough.

That’s all from me for now - keep an eye on our socials and the Comhaltas in Britain website for more blogs and updates. We’ve got a few exciting things in the pipeline, and we can’t wait to share them when the time is right!