St Catherine’s Killybegs Complete Historic All-Ireland Hat-Trick

St Catherine’s Accordion Band, Killybegs have completed a rare hat-trick of All-Ireland Senior Accordion titles at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast.

The Donegal band retained the title at Titanic Slipways on Sunday, extending a remarkable run which began with their first Senior Accordion success in Wexford in 2024 and continued with another victory there last year.

It means St Catherine’s have now won the Senior Accordion All-Ireland in 2024, 2025 and 2026 – three consecutive titles during one of the most successful periods in the band’s history.

Three in a row is a particularly notable achievement in a section where sustained runs at the top have been relatively uncommon. The title has changed hands regularly over the years, with Holy Cross Atticall, St Brigid’s Jonesborough and K & S among the bands to have lifted it before St Catherine’s began their current run.

While St Catherine’s were the only Senior Accordion band to take part in Belfast this year, there was certainly no drop in the standard they brought to the All-Ireland stage.

The Killybegs band produced a highly polished performance at Titanic Slipways, displaying the strong musical standard, discipline and presentation which have become hallmarks of their recent success.

Months of practice go into preparing an All-Ireland programme, regardless of the number of bands on the starting line, and St Catherine’s performed with the quality expected of a band defending the senior title for a second successive year.

Their continued success is particularly significant at a time when the number of accordion marching bands competing has declined. Maintaining a senior band, developing musicians and returning to the All-Ireland year after year requires a considerable commitment from players, tutors, families and everyone working behind the scenes.

The latest title also comes in St Catherine’s 25th anniversary year, providing another milestone for a band which has progressed from junior competition to establishing itself at the very top of the senior section.

Their three-year run now stands as an impressive chapter in the history of the Senior Accordion competition – and Sunday’s performance showed the high standard St Catherine’s continue to set.

Three consecutive All-Ireland titles provides the Killybegs band with another achievement to celebrate in what has already been a memorable silver jubilee year.