Kildare gaelscoileanna competein Battle of the Bands

GAELSCOILEANNA in Co Kildare took part in Kilcock’s Scoil Uí Riada’s inter-school music and song competition, ‘Cath na mBannaí’ or ‘The Battle of the Bands’ continues to promote Irish culture among Gaelscoileanna in Leinster.

On Thursday 20 March, Scoil Uí Riada ran the annual inter-school competition to give primary school children an opportunity to come together and promote their traditional music and song in a fun and enjoyable way.

There were two competitions: one for music bands of a maximum of 20 children where they had to play five-eight minutes of continuous music and another choral singing competition.

Seven Gaelscoileanna took part in the competitions with four schools from Co Kildare, one school from Co Offaly and Co Westmeath, and one school even travelled from Co. Carlow.

It was a celebration of the strong traditions of Irish culture fostered as part of Irish-medium education.

Gaelscoil Nás na Ríogh from Naas won the band competition for the second year in a row. Gaelscoil Eoghan Uí Thuairisc from Carlow came in second place and Scoil Uí Riada in Kilcock came third.

Westmeath’s Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn, in their first attempt, managed to win the choral competition with Gaelscoil Eoghan Uí Thuairisc again in second place and Maynooth’s Gaelscoil Uí Fhiaich in third place.

The children and teachers thoroughly enjoyed the celebration of music and entertainment, which was held with the support of Cill Dara le Gaeilge.

The judges were Sarah Walsh (Cill Dara le Gaeilge), Marie Louise Bowe and Martin O'Connell.

The competitions were organised by teacher Úna Ní Fhlatharta.

Ms Ní Fhlatharta said: “We are proud here in Scoil Uí Riada that the competition has been running since 2019 and the number of participants is growing year on year.

“Our main aim is to bring children from different schools together to share their traditional music and songs in a fun and enjoyable way.

“Giving the children this opportunity is great, but the day would not have happened without Cill Dara le Gaeilge's funding and the commitment and dedication of the children’s teachers.

“I sincerely thank Sarah Walsh (Cill Dara le Gaeilge), Marie Louise Bowe and Martin O’Connell for their work and suggestions. We look forward to Cath na mBannaí 2026!” 

Cill Dara le Gaeilge commended the high standard of musicians who appeared among the finalists this year.

Daithí de Faoite, chairperson of Cill Dara le Gaeilge, said: “We hope that it will go from strength to strength in the coming years and that the students of Gaelscoileanna will be given the opportunity to compete in ‘Cath na mBannaí’."

Cill Dara le Gaeilge is funded through the Department of Gaeltacht and Foras na Gaeilge.