Donegal bands enjoy historic success at 2026 Fleadh Cheoil in Belfast
2026 competition sees consecutive victories for Maghery, Cloughaneely and Killybegs bands
Donegal musicians and artists enjoyed tremendous success at the 2026 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireannm held in Belfast, including a historic 10 in a row for the Maghery Fife & Drum band.
A total of seven categories were won by Donegal competitors, including a double by the Cloughaneely Marching Band, 40 years after their first success at All-Ireland level.
The double success for Cloughaneely, came in the Senior Miscelleaneous Marching Bands Competition, and the Junior Miscelleaneous Marching Bands competition, adding to the 20 All-Ireland titles that had already been won by the group.
Cloughaneely also added to their record of being the only band to ever achieve the double in the senior and junior competitions, as they also did in 2017, 2023, and in 2025.
The Senior Miscelleaneous Marching Band Ulster Fleadh champions, Ramelton Town Band, completed a Donegal one-two in the competition, finishing second to Cloughaneely.
Elsewhere, the Maghery Fife & Drum Band secured a “historic” ten in a row in the Senior Flute Marching Band competition.
Buíon Cheoil Mullachdubh of Mullachdubh helped complete another one-two Donegal finish in the Senior Flute Marching Band competition.
There was consecutive success in Killybegs, as the St Catherine’s Band won their third consecutive title in the Senior Accordion Marching Band.
Singing victories came in the form of Shannan McKinley of Letterkenny, in the 12-15 English Singing Ladies, and Séarlas Ó Baoill of Oileán Thoraí CCÉ in the Irish Singing Men for the same age category.
Donegal’s youngest winner was Cassie Nic Grianna of Loch an Iúir, who was victorious in the Comhrá Gaeilge competition in the 9-11 age category.
Killybegs’ Dearbhla Ní Dheoráin secured a brace of placings, coming third in the 15-18 Comhrá Gaeilge category and the Scéalaíocht competition for the same age group.
More Comhrá Gaeilge success arrived in the form of Ultan O’Donnell of Rann na Feirste CCÉ, who placed third in the 11-13 category, whilst Ard an Rátha CCÉ’s Erin Ní Ghallachóir placed second in the under 12 Scéalaíocht competition.
Doiri Beaga CCÉ’s Brian Mac Aodha finished in second place in the Sean Nós (Fir)/Irish Singing Men 15-18 competition, whilst Bríana McLauighlin of the Seamus Mac Giolla Bhríde CCÉ placed third in the under 12 Flute Slow Airs cetegory.