It’s a wrap for the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Fleadh, hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Region of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. This, a qualifying event for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford, Ireland, was held on April 25-27 at the Crowne Plaza Princeton, N.J., Conference Center.
The Mid-Atlantic Fleadh hosted 115 competitors, many of whom are Wexford-bound this August. There were three grupai cheoil and five ceili bands in total, three of which were senior. These numbers are less than in previous years, but it is hoped the number will increase in the future.
The Mid-Atlantic fleadh had been held for several years in Parsippany, N.J., but this was the first year the fleadh took place in Princeton, just 59 miles to the south. The choice of the new location was, in part, a nod to the fact that the Mid-Atlantic Region is so far-flung, from New York and New Jersey to the north, Florida to the south, and Pittsburgh to the west. The Mid-Atlantic fleadh welcomes competitors from all parts of the United States and Canada, aside from those that reside in the Mid-West region.
“We are mindful of the geography of this region and this venue is handier for people traveling from the Baltimore and Philadelphia areas, and is closer to the train,” says CCÉ Mid-Atlantic Regional Chair Annmarie Acosta Williams, who co-chaired the event along with Comhaltas North American Provincial Chairperson Frankie McCormick.
Additionally, the switch represents an acknowledgement of the way fleadhanna are held elsewhere. “Our fleadh being held in the same place is not typical,” she says. “Generally, fleadhanna move from town to town each year.”
With the fleadh often being held during Mother’s Day weekend in the month of May, the change of date resulted in all of the participants being able to look forward to a relaxing Mother’s Day 2025. The earlier date offered another advantage. It gives families of participants who qualified to compete in Wexford more opportunity to arrange travel, accommodations and instrument rental – which, for North American competitors isn’t easily done. Accommodations are always hard to come by, and flying with large instruments such as a harp, cello or drums is often not possible, which requires overseas participants to arrange for rental instruments.
“For people coming from the United States and Canada, the trip to Ireland can present very tough financial decisions,” says Williams. “Families need to decide how to finance the trip. It could be a question of whether both mom and dad can go, are siblings able to come along, is summer camp possible, and so on. The decision to attend Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann often results in families being forced to take separate summer vacations, and very significant expenses. Competitors traveling from Ireland and Britain likely would struggle to understand the financial strain many competitors suffer in order to attend.
“Some of our branches host fundraisers to defray the costs and having a little bit of extra time for this due to the qualifier being held earlier this year, is a blessing,” Williams adds.
There were many other significant changes presented by the choice of venue itself – enhanced features for all the attendees, especially young people. “There were plenty of places to play music – impromptu sessions cropped up everywhere – and the new venue offered kids basketball, a swimming pool, billiard and shuffleboard tables, and places to play soccer outside,” says Williams. “We were not accustomed to this amount of space, and it was enjoyed by all who attended.”
Insofar as competition was concerned, the new space offered more spacious competition rooms and a large amphitheater for several contests, including the ceili bands and grupai cheoil. The amphitheater was also the setting for the event’s first ever Mid-Atlantic Fleadh Welcome Concert, which was held on Friday evening and highlighted the talents of our adjudicators.
The fleadh also featured a by now familiar component – a Saturday night pajama and pizza party, including a session for the kids. This, Williams said, is always a highlight. “That’s what keeps them playing the music, playing with other people their age and meeting kids from other branches,” she says.
Another fleadh weekend tradition is the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. Honored this year: Kathleen and Dom Lavin, Martin Reilly and (posthumously) Frank Curran. The region also honored Katherine Ball-Weir with its service award.
Here, too, were new refinements on how the Hall of Fame is usually conducted. In years past, the Hall of Fame ceremonies were held during the Saturday night banquet, potentially interfering with the flow of that event and delaying the start of the ceili that follows. This year, the ceremony was held prior to the banquet in the amphitheater, which resulted in the honorees being given the attention and respect they deserve.
The banquet itself was held in a lovely space, says Williams, with centerpieces crafted by regional secretary and fleadh committee member Trish Hurley Callahan, also a member of the Philadelphia-Delaware Valley branch. “There were colorful balloons at each table and hanging from them were pictures of past Hall of Fame and service award honorees from each branch. “Every table had a personalized touch to it,” Williams says.
Overall, Williams says, the success of the fleadh owes a lot to the volunteers and especially the committee members who made it all happen. “They were all amazing, and we can’t thank them enough,” she says.
Planning for the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Fleadh, which will again be held at the Crowne Plaza in Princeton, has begun. Based on this year’s event, Williams says, “there are some areas that we wish to improve upon, but we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone next April. Stay tuned for a date.”