Back to Back Double All-Ireland Glory For Cloughaneely In Belfast

Banna Ceoil Chloich Cheann Fhaola have added to their long list of honours after both their junior and senior bands took first place at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast. This is the first time any band has ever completed Junior and Senior Double in back to back years.

The bands arrived at the Titanic Slipways as defending champions in both categories and left with a combined haul that brings their overall total to 22 All-Ireland All Ireland titles.

In the junior miscellaneous competition, Cloughaneely claimed a fourth consecutive All-Ireland title with another strong performance from the young band. St Kevin’s of Wexford placed second, while Dún na Sí of Westmeath took third in their first appearance at the All-Ireland Fleadh.

The result continues a strong junior tradition for Cloughaneely, who also achieved four consecutive titles between 2006 and 2009.

In the senior miscellaneous competition, Cloughaneely retained their title beating Ramelton Town Band, completing the junior and senior All-Ireland double for the second year in a row.

The success comes in a milestone year for the organisation. Founded in 1983, Banna Ceoil Chloich Cheann Fhaola won its first All-Ireland title in 1986, marking 40 years since that breakthrough victory.

Thirteen members of that original 1986 winning band remain active with the senior group today, while many now also see their children perform in the junior ranks, underlining the intergenerational nature of the organisation.

Maintaining two bands at this level also brings a huge commitment away from competition day. Countless hours of practice and preparation go into getting both bands ready for the All-Ireland, with an added demand on families who have members involved across both the junior and senior ranks. Sunday’s double is a reward for that work from the musicians, instructors, parents and everyone involved behind the scenes.

The senior band’s success also reflects its revival a decade ago. After the junior band’s All-Ireland win in Ennis in 2016, former members reunited to welcome them home, a moment that led to the reformation of the senior band. They had went on to win 5 All-Irelands since.

A decade later, both generations continue to succeed side by side.

For a relatively small Donegal community, maintaining two All-Ireland winning bands simultaneously highlights the remarkable strength and depth of Banna Ceoil Chloich Cheann Fhaola. With 22 All-Ireland titles now secured across its history, another double in Belfast adds to a tradition of success stretching back four decades.