Once every seven years, the quiet Gaeltacht village of Cúil Aodha transforms into a vibrant centre of Irish culture, as artists, musicians and storytellers gather for Féile na Laoch – the Festival of Heroes. Rooted in ancient tradition and inspired by the legacy of composer Seán Ó Riada, the 2025 festival brought fire, song, and soul to the hills of County Cork this July and August.
Once every seven years, the tiny Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) village of Cúil Aodha in the Múscraí region of County Cork becomes the epicentre of Irish cultural expression. Féile na Laoch – the Festival of Heroes – is no ordinary event. Inspired by the artistic legacy of the renowned composer Seán Ó Riada, who made his home in this mountain community, the festival is a rare and deeply symbolic celebration of Irish culture, language and creativity.
Féile na Laoch honours outstanding contributors to Irish cultural life across seven artistic disciplines: Literature, Music, Dance, Art, Performance, Poetry and Song. Among the 2025 honourees was writer and broadcaster Cónal Creedon, who was named a Laoch Reacaire – a “hero of storytelling”.
Speaking to Irish Queenslander 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.”
Creedon, an award-winning novelist, playwright and filmmaker, joined a distinguished group of fellow honourees that included Liam Ó Maonlaí (Hothouse Flowers), Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (Altan), soprano Celine Byrne, sculptor John Behan, artist Maria Simonds-Gooding, fiddler Martin Hayes, actor Stephen Rae, and poet Annemarie Ní Churreáin.
The festival’s opening ceremony, An Aeríocht, is a dusk-to-dawn experience like no other. It begins with a Parade of Fire led by Peadar Ó Riada (son of Seán Ó Riada), setting out from Tigh Ó Riada about a mile from the main stage at Páirc na Laoch. Once the ceremonial flame is lit, the night unfolds in a continuous flow of music, dance, poetry, storytelling and performance until the first light of day.
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.”
Féile na Laoch has, over the years, paid tribute to many of Ireland’s most revered artists and cultural figures, including President Michael D. Higgins, visual artist Robert Ballagh, singer Seán Ó Sé, poet Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, actor Jeremy Irons, soprano Cara O’Sullivan, sculptor Imogen Stuart, poet Paul Muldoon, singer Christy Moore, and composer Phil Coulter.
Rooted in ancient traditions, the festival coincides with Lúnasa (Lughnasadh), the first of the Celtic harvest festivals named for the mythical hero Lugh. It is a time of gathering, gratitude, and celebration – and Féile na Laoch captures its essence in full force.
“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 (May we live to see this time again).”
Irish Queenslander 