History Made as Maghery Win Record Breaking Tenth All-Ireland Consecutive Title

Maghery Fife and Drum Band have made history at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast, becoming the first marching band to win ten consecutive All-Ireland titles.

The Donegal band claimed the Senior Flute title at Titanic Slipways on Sunday, extending an extraordinary winning sequence which began in 2015. From minute one the performance was exemplary and captivated the packed out slipways.

With history on the line, Maghery produced another performance worthy of their remarkable record. Their trademark musical quality was matched by sharp, precise drill and an assured overall display, delivering when it mattered most to retain the title against strong opposition.

It’s also admirable they battled the conditions in the worst of today’s rain, a few of their hats went a stray during the performance but in their ultimate professionalism that didn’t stop them.

Their ninth successive victory in Wexford last year had equalled the long-standing record set by fellow Donegal band Mullaghduff, who won nine All-Irelands in a row between 2006 and 2014.

Maghery have now gone one better.

Fittingly, Mullaghduff were back among their opposition in Belfast as the two bands met at an All-Ireland Fleadh for the first time since 2017. Mullaghduff performed first to a rousing atmosphere setting a high standard but that didn’t phase Maghery who took their performance to another level.

Maghery had also come out on top when the bands met at the Easter Sunday competition in Dungloe earlier this year.

Ten years setting the standard

Maghery’s record-breaking run began when they ended Mullaghduff’s own nine-in-a-row in 2015.

To get to the top, Maghery first had to overcome a Mullaghduff band which had set an exceptional standard in the Senior Flute section. Over the decade since, Maghery have become the benchmark themselves.

Their combination of musical quality, intricate arrangements, precision drill and presentation has continually set a high standard, with the band evolving its programme year after year despite remaining at the top.

Sunday’s victory is their tenth consecutive Senior Flute success and takes Maghery to 16 All-Ireland titles overall, with their successes stretching back to the 1990s.

It also establishes a record which no marching band has previously achieved at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

The Belfast appearance will not be Maghery’s last major performance of 2026, with the band set to return to the city for the Belfast International Tattoo on 4 and 5 September.

For now, however, the celebrations will be centred on an achievement more than a decade in the making.

Ten consecutive All-Ireland titles – and Maghery now stand alone in the record books.