September 29, 2025
by Brian Miller, CIM Instructor
CIM students on their lunch break between classes at Scoil Éigse in Wexford (clockwise from left): Teddy, Collin, Katya, Beth, Kate, Alex, Henry, Izzy, Ben, Vivi and Cora.
The sunny southwest of Ireland lived up to its name (most days) this year for the annual Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (All Ireland Fleadh) in Wexford Town. Twelve current Center for Irish Music students traveled to Wexford (Loch Garman in Irish) the first week of August to take part in classes, competitions, busking, sessions, concerts and good times at the 2025 event. All twelve attended Monday to Friday music classes through the Fleadh’s Scoil Éigse program and six CIM students competed in solo, duo and/or trio music competitions on the weekend. This year, three CIM instructors came along as well: Norah Rendell, Kate Wade and myself.
Some families came over early and fit in some sightseeing adventures before Scoil Éigse kicked off on Monday morning. During the first part of the week, there was time for day trips and history tours within Wexford as well.
Teddy, Collin and Beth playing tunes during a Wexford Harbour cruise (while Erik Brandt takes in the view!)
CIM parents Hanna Brandt, Simon Fenton, Tom Bryson and Heidi Bryson at the southern tip of the Hook Peninsula in County Wexford with Hook Lighthouse in the background.
This was the second year the event was held in Wexford town and, having attended last year’s fleadh,
the setup was similar and, generally, a good one for families. Attendance at the event was estimated at
800,000 (!) so the crowds were intense at times and it was hard to get around the waterfront area on
the weekends especially. The narrow main street was great for busking, shopping and people watching.
Wexford Harbour had a full-on state fair atmosphere with a large performance stage at one end, dozens
of food trucks and other vendors in the middle and a frenetic midway with rides at the other end.
It's hard to beat ice cream by the ocean! From left: Vivi, Alex, Izzy, Henry
Some of the older CIM students made it out to play at sessions over the course of the week. Katya
connected with lots of Ireland-based friends for tunes and Norah and I invited some of our longtime
friends from Cork and their musical kids over to a big “house session” hosted by the Ebinger family.
These moments of connection with musicians from Ireland are always highlights for me at the fleadh.
CIM student Katya (at right with flute) at an afternoon session with friends from Ireland.
With a somewhat younger CIM contingent this year, it was a big year for busking on the street. Our
students enjoyed meeting up with each other and roving around town scoping out coveted busking
spots, figuring out what tunes to play and collecting a few coins. Conveniently, the candy shop on main
street was not far away when the fiddle case was full!
Another highlight of the fleadh that has increasingly become part of the experience over the years is the opportunity to meet up with past CIM students that are now living in Ireland. Heather Nelson (Galway), Moira Flagstad (Dublin/Derry) and Victoria Adiiye (Cork) all stopped in to say hi this year.
Norah and I got to have some tunes with Victoria and her husband Macdara Ó Faoláin and then watch
them perform for a TV shoot in downtown Wexford one of the days. Heather came by our house for a
rare in person meet up with Norah who teaches her virtually. Each year, Ireland feels more like home
away from home for the CIM community.
Former CIM student Victoria Adiiye and her husband Macdara Ó Faoláin perform for Irish television at the Wexford Fleadh.
Scoil Éigse classes wrapped up on the Friday morning and, thankfully, none of the CIM competitors were
scheduled for Friday competitions so we had time to rehearse, relax and map out the busy competition
weekend. CIM students played in 15 competitions this year at the All Ireland. There’s a great tradition of
Midwestern US musicians filling in missing spots in one another’s groups for the ensemble competitions
and this year it was Teddy who stepped up to sub in with the over 18 Indianapolis Céilí Band! Katya,
Beth, Teddy and Collin each had at least three competitions to play at so there was a lot of fast walking
up and down the hill to get everyone where they needed to be.
List of this year’s CIM’s competitions at the 2025 All Ireland Fleadh
Saturday:
- U18 Flute: Katya
- U18 Flute Slow Airs: Katya
- U18 Whistle: Katya
- U18 Whistle Slow Airs: Katya
- U18 Banjo: Collin
- U18 Accompaniment: Collin
- U18 Bodhrán: Teddy (w/ Beth)
- U18 Button Accordion: Teddy
- U18 Fiddle: Beth
Sunday:
- U15 Ladies English Language Song: Cora
- U18 Trio: Teddy, Beth, Collin
- U18 Duo: Teddy, Beth
- O18 Piano Accordion: Erik Brandt
- Newly Composed Tunes: Beth helped a Midwest qualifier by performing their tune!
- O18 Céilí Band: Indianapolis Céilí Band featuring Teddy
Cora got to sing at the National Opera House for the u15 singing competition!
CIM student competitors put a massive amount of work into their tunes and songs for the competitions
and they all played beautifully under intense pressure. Throughout Saturday and Sunday, CIM students,
families and instructors were dashing from venue to venue supporting one another and listening to
incredible performances by musicians from all over Ireland and the world.
The trio of Teddy, Beth and Collin tunes up before performing at the trio competition.
At the end of the day (or the end of the fleadh!), it’s really all about the friendships and the enjoyment
of the music and culture itself. This year’s fleadh trip was a great opportunity for the families that were
there to get to know one another better and to experience the music in Ireland with others. On behalf of
Norah, Kate Wade and myself, I’d like to extend a huge thanks to all the CIM parents, grandparents,
siblings, instructors and students that put in so much effort to the 2026 trip and made it so enjoyable for
all.
The Fleadh moves to Belfast in 2026! If you have questions about the All Ireland Fleadh and what
travelling there is like, ask any of us that went this year. It’s a very worthwhile experience!
CIM’s bold Over 18 Piano Accordion competitor (and dad) Erik Brandt.
House session with friends from Cork. Clockwise from left: Collin, Ben, Cora, Kate, Beth, Sadhbh, Tommie Cunniffe, Éanna and Michelle Finnerty.
Beth in the fiddle competition, which was also broadcast on TG4 television!
Back at MSP after a great trip (L to R): Simon Fenton, Collin, Teddy, Ben, Alex, Cora, Fritz Ebinger, Henry, Norah Rendell, Izzy, Brian Miller, Beth, Hanna Brandt, Heidi Bryson, Erik Brandt (in front), Tom Bryson, Kate, Marilyn Miller, Kate Ebinger.