Derry woman brings home two medals from Fleadh

Derry woman Róise Ní Mhurchú has brought home two prestigious medals from the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil 2025 in Wexford.

The young singer from Culmore achieved the gold medal in the ancient skill of lilting, unaccompanied vocal music or "portaireacht".  She also was awarded the silver medal in Amhránaíocht Ghaeilge/Irish singing.

Reared an Irish speaker by her parents musicians and singers, Caitríona and Marcas Ó Murchú the family are understandably "very proud of Róise's achievement" in being awarded two  medals in what is an international competition. Over 800, 000 people attended the week long international event, with participants qualifying from all over the globe.

Just last month, she took home three gold medals from the Ulster Fleadh Cheoil, in English singing, Amhránaíocht Ghaeilge and lilting.

Róise has also been asked by BBC Radio Ulster to co-present the popular series Blas Ceoil on Thursdays between 8-9pm throughout August.

As Radio Ulster is celebrating 50 years, she was invited by BBC Gaeilge to join her father, veteran Irish language BBC and RTE radio producer and former languages teacher Marcas on air, on BBC Sounds worldwide.

The final programme on Thursday, August 28 will feature an archive recording of her grandfather Alf Ó Murchú (1920-1990) who brought the gold medal north from the Oireachtas singing competition in Dublin in 1961. He won this prestigious competition normally won by Gaeltacht-born singers of the language. 

Róise has also been helping local children learn songs for the national competition which will come to Belfast in late October 2025. Róise is "delighted " to be singing and teaching some of the body of songs gathered by her grandfather. 

The YouTube site "Amhráin ar Scoil" has 50 songs,  complete with on-screen lyrics, sung by herself and singers throughout Ulster,  ten of which feature Róise and her parents. 

The 20 year-old Derry lass looks forward to teaching in a Gaelscoil to pass on her "passion for all things Irish and cultural" ; she is attending St. Mary's College of Education in Belfast where she has completed two years of her four year course. On St Patrick's Day 2025, she was honoured to be invited to represent her university in Nashville, USA.