Write a comment
For the first time since the 1950's a South Armagh person has won the Senior Fiddle class at Oireachtas na Samhna which this year was held in Belfast.
Silverbridge fiddle player Aodh Mac Murchaidh took home the trophy for the Senior Fiddle class at the 2025 Oireachtas performing arts competitions.
Aodh, a member of Traditional Arts Partnership is an accomplished fiddle player and composer and has won multiple awards already in the early days of his career. Two time Fiddler of London finalist and current Ulster senior fiddle champion he also was the 2023 runner-up in the Fiddler of Dooney competition in Sligo.
Máirín Nic Dhonnchadha, CEO of An tOireachtas said “Congratulations to the winners and everyone who took part in the Oireachtas na Samhna 2025 Performing Art Competitions. Oireachtas na Samhna is an expression of the best, most positive and most exciting parts of our culture, our language and our arts.”
This year’s programme included 65 performing arts competitions for various age groups, for young people and adults, as well as music and singing sessions, exhibitions, seminars, plays, multi-thematic clubs and numerous discussion and discourse events at various fringe events. 10,000 people attended Oireachtas na Samhna this year, travelling from all over the country to attend and take part in a variety of music, singing, social, entertainment and debate events throughout the festival. A range of competitions and events were broadcast live on TG4 and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, with live shows and podcasts on Raidió Failte, Raidió Rí-Rá, Raidió na Life and BBC Gaeilge.
The national arts & culture festival, Oireachtas na Samhna, is the annual showcase event organised by An tOireachtas featuring the best of sean-nós (traditional old style) performing arts. The festival programme includes junior and senior competitions, formal and informal music and singing sessions, exhibitions, seminars, drama and a host of fringe events.
An tOireachtas (also trading as Oireachtas na Gaeilge) is an Arts & Culture organization established in 1897 to promote literature and the performing arts in Irish.
