31/7/2025 – 3/8/2025 agus 3/10/2025 -5/10/22025
Cúil Aodha, MagCromtha, Co Chorcaighe. feilenalaoch1@gmail.com (feilenalaoch1 null@null gmail NULL.com)
All events free of charge
Thursday 31/7/2025:
19:00 The taking of fire from the hearth of Seán Ó Riada and parading to Cúil Aodha with band, dignitaries and many flags to where the Festival beacon is lit and the Festival declared open by honorary Hero.
20:30 Parade from the village to the Field of Dreams behind the Heroes led by the Piobairi Chuilinn Ui Chaoimh pipe band.
21:00 The Elders fill the magic bath An Damhach Diamhrach, cleanse the space with the waters of the 7 wells and the male Sulán river and call the Heroes to order.
21:20 As sun sets in front of the stage, the 7 poets are crowned and recite their poetry for 50 minutes. The stage is revolved to the right into the night.
22:20 The Artists come to stage, are crowned, their work listed, described and presented to the people and then the stage is revolved further to the right into the night.
And thus follows the other schools – the story tellers, the dancers, the singers, the actors, the musicians until:- 5:50 Sunrise and the volunteer Peoples Orchestra play Mise Eire to greet the new day.
6:00 The horns are sounded and the tráchtaire calls the Sports heroes who appear with the flag waving supporters down the mountain and cross the river and presented to the people and crowned.
6:20 The horse is brought to the fore. A grand gesture is made to honour the role of the horse in our psyche and culture.
6:30 People leave. (some may wish to take some of the water from the Dabhach Diamhrach or the Great Godly Vessel which was filled at the start of the night from the waters of the Sulán – the only male river in Ireland – and the waters of 7 wells of saints and gods of the mountains around and for each of which the Turas or Rounds were done by the Elders in previous months. A simple breakfast is available to all in the local hall from whence the Parade began.
Register for the Aeríocht here (https://www NULL.eventbrite NULL.ie/e/feile-na-laoch-aeriocht-tickets-1434792997479?aff=oddtdtcreator). The event is free of charge but this gives us an idea so to safely manage numbers.
Friday 1/8/2025
14:00 The formal opening of the Heroes Hall where portraits of 100 heroes grace the walls
14:00 The Heroes Forum chaired by the chief Poet.
20:00 “Beannú Seán Ó Riada chun Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann” a concert with many branches of Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann as they celebrate Seán Ó Riada – each branch having ten minutes. Presented by Peadar Ó Riada -Broadcast live on RnaG and streaming live on internet. (Reserve a seat free of charge here (https://www NULL.eventbrite NULL.ie/e/feile-na-laoch-beannu-sean-o-riada-do-chomhaltas-ceoltoiri-eireann-tickets-1434586991309?aff=oddtdtcreator))
Sessions of music in all pubs and venues locally
Saturday 2/8/2025
10:00 The forums on the Harp and the Irish Pipes get under way in Áras Íosagáin
10:00 The gathering and the beginning of the the great walking pilgrimages start. Register here (https://www NULL.eventbrite NULL.ie/e/feile-na-laoch-tionol-assembly-tickets-1434731844569?aff=oddtdtcreator). The event is free of charge but this gives us an idea so to safely manage numbers.
11:00 The Trail of Art is opened.
20:00 The Gold Concert starts in the Hall of Heroes. Past winners of the great Oireachtas Corn Uí Riada and the past winners of the Seán Ó Riada Gold medal perform. Presented by Máirtín Tom Sheáinín Mac Donncha. Live on RnaG radio and streaming on internet. (Reserve a seat here – free of charge) (https://www NULL.eventbrite NULL.ie/e/feile-na-laoch-coirm-ordha-the-gold-concert-tickets-1434710631119?aff=oddtdtcreator)
Sessions of music in all pubs and venues locally
Sunday 3/8/2025 The Spiritual Day
11:00 Commemorative Mass with Cór Cúil Aodha and musicians . Seán Ó Riada’s liturgical music where it began.
14:00 “Dóchas – Solas Críost” As we come to grips with a dwindling numbers of priests, we assemble a special coming together in contemplation with readings, Psalms and actions as an example of what communities can do when gathered spiritually together, to affirm their spiritual life. (Reserving a space is not essential but you can do so here (https://www NULL.eventbrite NULL.ie/e/feile-na-laoch-dochas-solas-criost-tickets-1434663580389?aff=oddtdtcreator), free of charge.)
Sessions of music in all pubs and venues locally and the scattering
October
Friday 3/10/2025
20:00 Oiche na mBan – Hall of Heroes
A formal talk given by a special guest speaker on Women’s position in life in 2025 followed by two internationally famous singers and finishing with the major polyphonic work Laoi na Laoithe performed by Cor ban Cúil Aodha,
Saturday 10:00 – 12:30 Seminar on the future for the next 7 years- the economy, the climate, politics, social change
14:00 Resumption of seminar finishing with a brief statement of advice and predictions.
20:00 The formal scripted concert of closure featuring various choirs and musicians and the formal gathering of the flags, portraits of the 100 heroes, the quenching of the beacon and the placing of all in the Cófra na Laoch It is closed with the seven heavy belts and shouldered off to rest once more in the Church until Mayday 2032.
Sunday 11:00 Commemorative mass to the late Seán Ó Riada and all musicians and artists and choir members of the past.
12:00 Visit to grave of Seán Ó Riada and laying of wreath.
Sessions of music in all pubs and venues locally and the scattering