The Gael Linn Trophy and a cheque for €2,500 were presented to the group AISTEAR, who were excited to have the opportunity to play in the National Concert Hall in front of a wonderful crowd of 1,000 people. The audience who came from all over the country to support these talented young people had a great night.
The Siansa Gael Linn competition is one of the leading traditional music and singing competitions in the country. Siansa is a competition that fosters a close connection between the Irish language, music and youth. The competition was established in 2001, and is run with the support of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Irish Music Magazine and Molscéal TG4.
The quality of the music was excellent and it took the judges, Bernadette Nic Gabhann, Edel Fox and Oisín Morrison some time to select the winners. Significant progress was visible in all the groups since they took part in the regional workshops earlier in the year. AISTEAR competed with seven other groups; ‘Léas’, Co. Cork; ‘Cludhmór’, Co. Clare; ‘Neart’, Dublin; ‘Lonrach’, Co. Wexford; ‘Teorainn’, Co. Kerry & Co. Cork; ‘Beomhar’, Co. Laois & Offaly; and ‘Taisce’, Co. Galway
There was fierce competition for the €4,500 prize fund and it fell to renowned musicians Edel Fox, Oisín Morisson and Bernadette Nic Gabhann to select the winners of this year’s competition. There was much celebration among their supporters when it was announced that ‘AISTEAR from County Clare had taken home the top prize. The group consists of eight young musicians; Conall Ó Dorchaidhe, Ciarán Ó Braonáin, Diarmuid Ó Slatara, John Eibhúd, Ruaidhrí Mac Gearailt, Clodagh Ní Chinnéide, Ava Ní hAodhagáin and Tara Ní Bhaoighill.
Molscéal also live streamed the concert and on the Gael Linn YouTube channel here
Second place went to Counties Laois and Uí Fáilí and €1,250 was awarded to the group BEOMHAR, members of the group; Polly Ní Nualláin, Lila Ní Nualláin, Lucy Ní Mhaolmhuaigh, Áine Ní Chinnsealaigh, Fionnán Ó Daltúin. Taidgh Ó Daltúin, Jack Ó hUiginn, and Kieu Ní Chonraí.
Third place, and a prize of €750, went to TEORAINN, from Counties Kerry and Cork, the group members: Timmy Keane, Sean Butler, Finín O’Connell, Eoin Foley, Vy ha O’Leary, Hayley Holly, Mahilet O’Leary, and Cieran Vaquero.
In addition, Gael Linn Chairman, Wayne Mac Feilimí, presented a commemorative prize to each musician who took part in the Final.
The evening was presented by Tristan Rosenstock, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, and the station broadcast live again this year.
Speaking, Gearóid Mac Donncha, Head of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, said:
‘RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta is very grateful to Gael Linn for organising this fantastic competition for young musicians and for the opportunity they are giving us to sponsor the competition. It is a privilege for us to be able to help these young musicians, putting their music on a national and international stage in our broadcasts on the radio and on the internet. We would like to congratulate them all, their parents and teachers as they have all come a long way to reach this stage’
Closing the evening’s events, Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, Chief Executive of Gael Linn, said that it gives him immense joy to see the talent of these young people on one of the biggest stages in the country.
“The Siansa Championship is always one of the highlights of the year for Gael Linn. The music, performance and talent among the competitors is of the highest quality. A big thank you goes to the mentors who put in countless hours of work preparing these groups for the competition and, at the same time, strengthening the country’s traditional music among the young.”
He thanked Gearóid Mac Donncha for the continued support of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Tristan Rosenstock for presenting the evening, Robert Heuston and Deirdre Ní Chróinín from Irish Music Magazine, Molscéal TG4, the judges, the National Concert Hall and the wonderful Gael Linn team.
The performances of all the groups that took part in the 2026 Gael Linn Siansa Championship can be viewed on YouTube Gael Linn here