32 groups on the Ardán 2026 Shortlist

32 Irish language and Gaeltacht groups announced on the Ardán 2026 Shortlist

The Irish language and Gaeltacht groups that have secured a place on the Ardán 2026 Shortlist were announced today on Raidió na Gaeltachta’s Barrscéalta programme.

More than 60 Irish language and Gaeltacht groups from across the country submitted over 100 entries to Ardán 2026, a brand-new competition which succeeds the historic Glór na nGael competition. This is the highest level of participation ever in the Glór na nGael National Competition.

Prizes will be awarded to every group that has secured a place on the shortlist.

The total prize fund for Ardán 2026 is €83,000, including €20,000 for first place and €10,000 for second place, as well as prizes in the eight categories and ten special recognition awards.

The Ardán 2026 Shortlist was announced on Raidió na Gaeltachta’s Barrscéalta programme on Thursday, 25 June 2026 at 11am.

The eight competition categories are: Young People; The Family; The Gaeltacht; Education; Community Supports & Wellbeing; Business & Enterprise; Speaking Irish; and Environmental Conservation and Heritage Conservation.

Representatives of Glór na nGael, Brian Ó Gallachóir and Seán Ó Cuirrín, were present in the Raidió na Gaeltachta studios to announce the groups that had succeeded in securing a place on the Ardán 2026 Shortlist.

Frainc Mac Cionnaith, Manager of Glór na nGael’s Community and Enterprise Department, said:

“The strong interest shown by Irish language and Gaeltacht communities in this competition is very encouraging for us all. We are now greatly looking forward to a very inspiring conference as part of the public adjudication process in Galway in September. The new competition has got off to a strong start, and I congratulate every group that secured a place on the shortlist, and indeed every group that entered the competition, especially those that had not previously taken part in the Glór na nGael National Competition. I hope that we will be able to expand the competition in the years ahead so that we can include more groups.”

Ardán 2026 will take place in The Connacht Hotel, Galway, on 19 September 2026.

For more information, visit www.glornangael.ie/ardan

Ardán 2026 Shortlist

Category:

Speaking Irish

• Carraig ag Caint – County Cork
• Pobal Rua – County Galway
• Pobal ar a’n Iúl – County Tyrone
• Gaillimh le Gaeilge – County Galway

The Gaeltacht

• Ionad na nImirceach CTR – County Galway
• Coiste Féilte Chill Chiaráin – County Galway
• Coiste Forbartha Chnoc Fola – County Donegal
• Fóram um Pleanáil Teanga Chois Fharraige – County Galway

Community Supports & Wellbeing

• An Droichead – County Antrim
• Pobal Eascarrach – County Donegal
• Lár Chomhairle Paróiste Ghleann Cholm Cille – County Donegal
• Comhar Chuigéal Teo. – County Galway

Education

• Coiste Forbartha Charn Tóchair – County Derry
• Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin – County Derry
• Cill Dara le Gaeilge – County Kildare
• Gaeilge Locha Riach – County Galway

The Family

• Gaeil Ruairí Óg agus Gaeil na nGlinntí – County Antrim
• Céim ar Chéim – County Cork
• Tae agus Play – County Leitrim
• Fís an Phobail – County Antrim

Young People

• Glór Uachtar Tíre – County Down
• Glór na Móna – County Antrim
• Meitheal Pleanála Teanga an Iarthuaiscirt – County Donegal
• Glór Cheatharlach – County Carlow

Environmental Conservation and Heritage Conservation

• Ionad Uíbh Eachach – County Antrim
• Cumann Cultúrtha Mhic Reachtain – County Antrim
• Comharchumann Forbartha Ghaoth Dobhair – County Donegal
• Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail – County Down

Business & Enterprise

• Comhlacht Forbartha Inis Meáin CTR – County Galway
• An Clár as Gaeilge – County Clare
• BSG An Clochán Liath – County Donegal
• Muineachán le Gaeilge – County Monaghan

Special Recognition Awards

Ten special recognition awards were announced, to be presented to the following groups:

• Conradh na Gaeilge, Craobh Pheadair Uí Dhubhda, Dún Dealgan. – County Louth
• Coiste Ghaeloideachas Chromghlinne – County Antrim
• Aisteoirí an Bhaile – County Galway
• Comhlacht Forbartha Mhúscraí – County Cork
• Coiste Óige Bunscoile Inis Oírr – County Galway
• Coiste Cheathrú Thaidhg – Dún Chaocháin – County Mayo
• Craobh Cholm Cille – County Dublin
• Gaelphobal Ard Mhacha Theas – County Armagh
• Coiste Forbartha Dhobhair Teo – Ionad Naomh Pádraig – County Donegal
• Comhar Fhánada & Ghleann Bhairr – County Donegal