by Christine Lawless MD
On Saturday July 18th 2026, Chicago Irish Singers Club will present “Bound for Belfast” a benefit concert, raffle and sing-along, featuring Chicago’s finest young Irish singing talent. The singers recently competed during Mother’s Day weekend in St Louis MO at the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil and earned the right to represent the Midwest United States in August in Belfast Northern Ireland at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Competition (All-Ireland).
The All-Ireland is in its 75th year, having begun in 1951 in Mullingar by the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (Gathering of Musicians of Ireland). Their objective was to keep Irish unique cultural traditions, in all forms, alive and return them to a prominent position in Irish life. Today, Comhaltas has branches in every county of Ireland, and on 5 continents in 22 countries throughout the world.
It’s the first time the All-Ireland will be held in Belfast; over 700,000 people are expected to attend. And although the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil is a week-long festival celebrating Traditional Irish Music, Song, Language, and Dance, the heart of the festival is its competitions. Over 4500 competitors will compete in over 230 categories of competition, from individual instruments and song, to group events and dance. 
Sixteen-year-old Tara Morley of Arlington Heights finished in the top 2 in the 15-18 y/o Ladies English Language Singing in St Louis (top 2 in all categories advance to Belfast.) With a background in musical theater, speech and debate at her high school, she aspires to be a US Senator. Her goal is to understand her Irish Heritage on her father’s side of the family, and to go to Belfast to learn and network with other Irish singers in her age bracket.
North Central College music alum, Jan Bauers 24, of Villa Park, had to defeat 9 other fine singers in the Ladies English Language Singing in St Louis. This was by far the largest group of female singers competing in the past 10 years at the Midwest Fleadh. She came out on top, while Fiona Madsen of Las Vegas captured 2nd place. Tara, Jan, and Fiona are all mentored by Irish singer Christine Lawless. Jan said, “I love traditional Irish singing because of the story telling, and hearing the voice in its raw form. I’m so excited to go to Belfast to engage with other musicians, keep learning, and discover more songs to bring back to Chicago.”
Teaching Support Manager in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at University of Chicago, Heather Preston of Hyde Park qualified 2nd in Newly Composed Songs with a song based on a story she heard told by the famed Joe Heaney at the University of Washington in the early 80’s. She did not start out to be a songwriter, but recently became one, adding “I just loved the way my favorite Irish songs all told stories and touched real emotion.” She is joined by singer-songwriter-musician Brian Harms of Orland Park, who took 1st place in this category with his original song “Just Irish Enough.”
Irish speaker Zaic Holbrook Ó Néil, 32, of Oak Park is the first gentleman in years to represent the Midwest USA in Irish Language Singing. He will be joined by Savanna Rae, and Tricia Lynch, who both qualified in the Ladies Irish Singing, and are also beautiful Irish speakers. Rounding out the Belfast team is Dr Christine Lawless, founder of Chicago Irish Singers, and mentor to many singers, who will compete in the lilting.
Chicago Irish Singers mission is to preserve and promote Traditional Irish Singing in Chicago. By sending these 9 singers and song-writers to Belfast Fleadh, we will most certainly serve our mission and Chicago’s Irish Community. Readers, if you want to support Traditional Irish culture, specifically Irish Singing in Chicago, plan to attend our benefit concert July 18th 530pm-830pm at Chief O’Neill’s in Chicago on Elston. We think you will be delighted not only by these promising young singers, but also our veteran singers. Please scan QR code in ad on this page to secure your tickets.
We look forward to seeing you.
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