Creedon and Mhaonaigh Honored at Féile na Laoch 2025 [Festival of Heroes]

Two of the IBAM 2024 awardees [Cónal Creedon and Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh [Altan] were honoured as Laoch Reacaire [Cultural Heroes] at Féile na Laoch 2025 [Festival of Heroes].

Once every 7 years the rural village of Cúil Aodha – nestled in the hills of the Irish language speaking, Muskerry Gaeltacht in West Cork – transforms into a vibrant epicentre of Irish culture, as artists, musicians, storytellers and performers gather for this septennial event – to honour the cultural heroes at Féile na Laoch [The Festival of Heroes].

Cónal Creedon and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh will join an illustrious roll of Laoch Reacaire at the Féile na Laoch – Previous awardees include: President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins, Robert Ballagh [artist], Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill [poet] , Jeremy Irons [actor], Cara O'Sullivan [opera singer], Paul Muldoon [poet], Christy Moore [singer], Phil Coulter [composer] and many more …

Rooted in the ancent Gaelic tradition of celebrating Lughnasa – An Aeríocht, the official crowning of the Laoch [Heroes] is a unique and atmospheric dusk to dawn celebration of music, dance, story, poetry and performance.
The Celebrations begin at 6.30 pm with the Parade of Fire from 'Tigh O’Riada' , the family home of iconic Irish composer Sean O’Riada, which is located about a mile from the main stage at Pairc na Laoch. There follows a procession of pipers and patrons. Fuelled by pageantry and a parade of Fire and Water. Once the flame is lit, the live performances begin - and the celebration continues right throughout the night until sunrise the following morning.

Féile na Laoch [Festival of Heroes]
Cúil Aodha
Co. Cork – Ireland.

Speaking about Féile na Laoch 2025, Cónal Creedon said,
“It’s a soulful engagement and a homecoming for me. My father’s people come from these hills. And so it has special personal significance that my six year old grandniece Edith Blake was here from London, such a wonderful opportunity to connect with her Irish heritage. Total immersion in Irish language, culture, the arts – the soul of Ireland is laid bare at Féile na Laoch.”

Cónal Creedon, a novelist, playwright and filmmaker, was honoured as one of the Laoch Reacaire [Heroes] at Féile na Laoch 2025. Every seven years, Féile na Laoch is hosted in Cúil Aodha, in the Múscraí Gaeltacht in county Cork.

This septennial celebration is inspired by the creative legacy of iconic Irish composer Sean O’Riada, and honours the cultural contribution of artists across seven creative disciplines – Literature, Music, Dance, Art, Performance, Poetry and Song.

Other artists celebrated during Féile na Laoch 2025 include, Liam Ó Maonlaí [Hot House Flowers], Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh [Altan], Celine Byrne [singer], John Behan [sculptor], Maria Simonds-Gooding [artist], Martin Hayes [music], Stephen Rae [actor], Annemarie Ní Churreáin [poetry]

An Aeríocht, the official opening is a unique dusk to dawn celebration of music, dance, story, poetry and performance. It begins at 6.30 pm with the Parade of Fire led by Peadar O’Riada from Tigh O’Riada about a mile from the main stage at Pairc na Laoch. Once the flame is lit, the live performances continue right throughout the night until sunrise the following morning.

Describing An Aeríocht, Cónal Creedon said,
“It’s such a personal honour to be appointed one of the Laoch 2025, connecting directly with the life-blood, pulse and soul of such a very special place. The parade of the Laochs was a very special experience - marching with the elements of fire and water, and arriving en masse, on foot, led by a piper created such a profound sense of passion and pageantry.”

The artists celebrated at previous Féile na Laoch include: President Michael D. Higgins, Robert Ballagh, Sean Ó Sé, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Jeremy Irons, Cara O'Sullivan, Imogen Stuart, Paul Muldoon, Christy Moore, Mary MacSweeney, Phil Coulter, Máire Ní Chéilleachair ...

Féile na Laoch [Festival of Heroes] is part of the greater nationwide ancient Gaelic tradition of welcoming Lúnasa [Lughnasadh], one of the four seasonal celebrations. Traditionally, observed during the first week of August, Lúnasa takes its name from the ancient demigod in Irish mythology, Lugh.

“It defies description - Féile na Laoch is lightning in a bottle. If you missed it this year you’ll have to wait seven years - until 2032 before you have the opportunity to witness it again. – Go mbeirimíd beo ar an am seo arís”