Cuimsiú Mhaigh Eo awarded prestigious Ashling Murphy Community Scholarship

CUIMSIÚ Mhaigh Eo, an inclusive traditional arts initiative operating under Mayo Comhaltas, has been awarded the 2026 Ashling Murphy Community Scholarship, recognising its innovative work in creating opportunities for people of all abilities to participate in Irish traditional music, song, dance, storytelling and culture.

Established by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in memory of the late Ashling Murphy, the scholarship honours Ashling's legacy as a primary school teacher, Comhaltas music teacher and performer. The three annual scholarships, awarded under the categories of Community, Education and Research, recognise projects that reflect the values Ashling embodied through her commitment to education, music, performance and community.

The Community Scholarship supports projects that develop participation and practice in traditional arts, including collaborative, community and socially engaged arts practices, with the aim of creating tangible and lasting benefits for traditional arts within the community.

The scholarship will support the next stage in the development of the Cuimsiú model, enabling Mayo Comhaltas to document and share the experience gained over the past number of years while developing practical resources that can be used by Comhaltas branches throughout Ireland and across the worldwide Comhaltas network.

Central to the project will be the production of a Cuimsiú Model Toolkit, providing practical guidance for Comhaltas branches wishing to establish inclusive programmes. The toolkit will cover the key elements of the Cuimsiú model, including Fleadh competitions, inclusive sessions, music, singing, dance, performance and sign language workshops, performance groups, and the development of volunteers, mentors and leaders. A documentary film will also capture the Cuimsiú journey through the voices and experiences of participants, families, volunteers, tutors and community partners.

The initiative began following a simple question from young Mayo musician Hannah Dunford: "When can I play at the Fleadh?"

That question, first raised by Hannah and her parents, Mairéad and Chuck Dunford, led to the introduction of the first Cuimsiú competitions at Fleadh Cheoil Mhaigh Eo in 2024. Since then, Cuimsiú has grown into a year-round programme of Fleadh competitions, workshops, sessions and performances, providing meaningful opportunities for people of all abilities and all ages to participate in traditional arts.

One of the defining principles of Cuimsiú is that true inclusion means creating opportunities for people to participate together. Rather than creating separate activities, the Cuimsiú model brings musicians, singers, dancers, storytellers, volunteers and families of all abilities together through shared sessions, workshops, performances, community Fleadh events and Fleadh competitions.

The initiative has already expanded beyond Mayo, with Cuimsiú Fleadh competitions now established in Mayo, Galway and Sligo, while prizewinners will progress to the Connacht Fleadh from 2027. Practical guidance developed in Mayo has also supported the introduction of Cuimsiú competitions in Kerry, demonstrating how the model can be successfully adapted by other counties.

Looking to the future, the project aims to create practical resources that will support Comhaltas branches, county boards and schools in developing their own inclusive initiatives. The long-term vision is to see Cuimsiú become embedded throughout the Comhaltas structure, with opportunities for participants to progress from county Fleadh to provincial Fleadh and ultimately Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, while encouraging the development of inclusive programmes throughout the international Comhaltas network.

Mayo Comhaltas chairperson Seamus Cawley said the scholarship was a significant recognition of the work being carried out through Cuimsiú: "This scholarship is a wonderful recognition of the work that has been carried out by so many people over the past number of years. Cuimsiú has shown what can happen when people are welcomed, encouraged and given the opportunity to participate.

“We hope the resources developed through this scholarship will help many more Comhaltas branches create similar opportunities within their own communities."

He added: "The success of Cuimsiú belongs to the participants, their families, volunteers, tutors, Comhaltas branches and community organisations who have embraced the initiative from the beginning. We would particularly like to acknowledge the vision, commitment and dedication of Mairéad and Chuck Dunford, whose experience and leadership have been central to the development of the Cuimsiú model in Mayo."

The Ashling Murphy Community Scholarship was presented to Cuimsiú Mhaigh Eo in Belfast during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, at an event in Ulster Hall.

The scholarship provides an important opportunity to build on the work already achieved through Cuimsiú while creating a lasting legacy in Ashling Murphy's memory. Through music, education, performance and community participation, the project will seek to ensure that more people have the opportunity to experience the joy, friendship and sense of belonging that comes from being part of Ireland's traditional arts community.

As the Comhaltas motto reminds us, 'Connecting Communities Through Our Culture', Cuimsiú continues to demonstrate that Irish traditional arts can bring people together, build friendships and create a genuine sense of belonging for everyone.