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Fleadh Cheoil na Breataine 2026
26TH-28TH JUNE 2026
BRENTWOOD COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL |
June is always one of the most exciting months on our calendar because the spectacular Fleadh Cheoil na Breataine (the All Britain Fleadh) is just a few weeks away!
Whilst this is a massive milestone for all of our talented competitors, it is also our absolute favourite event of the year because it brings people together from all over. An event of this scale is a huge testament to the dedication of our volunteers, committees, teachers, and parents.
We cannot wait to see you all in Brentwood, Essex! A special thank you goes out to our hosts this year, the London and Southern Region. We are incredibly excited to be visiting a brilliant new venue for 2026
Got Questions? Join Our Live Q&A
Whether you are attending for the first time or just want to know what to expect, the All Britain Fleadh Chair, Conor Walsh, invites you to a live Q&A session on Thursday 11th June at 8.00 pm. He will give a short presentation and answer any questions you have about the weekend's events. |
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Wristband & Event Information
Planning on joining us for the weekend? Make sure to grab your entry wristbands early to save time and money!
Early-Bird Wristbands: Available to purchase online until Monday 22nd June. On-the-Day Tickets: After 22nd June, wristbands will only be available to buy at the main entrance on Saturday and Sunday.
For extra details on the venue, including travel directions and social sessions happening outside of the competitions, check out the official Fleadh Information Leaflet. |
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Timetable
The official timetable for the All Britain Fleadh has been released by the committee. It details exactly when and where the various events and competitions will take place over the weekend.
Be sure to save it to your phone or print a copy so you do not miss a moment of the action!
You can view and download the full schedule here: |
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Sponsorship & Trophies
Trophy Returns
If you or someone you know won a trophy at last year’s event, it is time to return it. The designated trophy return area will be located in the school library at the venue in Brentwood.
Cannot make it this year? Please arrange for a friend, family member, or fellow branch member to bring it back on your behalf.
Sponsorship Updates A huge thank you to everyone supporting the event through advertising and competition sponsorship. Please ensure all outstanding payments are settled promptly.
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Volunteering Your Time
An event of this size simply cannot happen without a community effort. Whilst planning is well underway, we are still looking for extra pairs of hands over the Fleadh weekend to ensure everything runs smoothly. If you have an hour or two to spare and would like to be a part of making this event a success, your help would be greatly appreciated! |
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Building Well-Rounded Musicians: SCT Exam Success!
Over the last 10 days, many candidates across the country have taken part in the SCT Graded Irish Music Exams. These are specialist traditional music exams, with most taking place face-to-face with an examiner who specialises in Irish music.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to all the teachers and parents who prepared the candidates for these exams, and especially to the volunteers who stepped up to steward on the day.
It has been a joy to receive so much positive feedback from the candidates themselves. Many have shared how the syllabus has pushed them to look beyond just the tunes they work on for Fleadhs—encouraging them to explore session repertoires, a small amount of musical theory, and aural skills. As part of the musical knowledge section, candidates are also asked to listen to prominent players in the tradition, as well as albums and live performances. The ultimate aim of these exams is to create a well-rounded musician!
Looking to the Future These exams are open to everyone of all ages—even if you are not a member of Comhaltas. As this is only the second year they have taken place across Britain, most exams have been held within a local branch setting. Going forward, our hope is to establish multiple exam centres across the province.
If you live in an area that isn't close to a local branch, there is also the option to take the exam online, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to get involved.
If you would like to know more about the SCT exams in Britain, please reach out to Erin Watson, our Outreach and Development Community Project Officer. |
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Comhaltas in Britain News |
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Comhaltas is absolutely delighted to launch Foinneóg: 75 Bliain Ag Fás—a brand new podcast dropping every Wednesday ahead of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026.
Hosted by Máire Ní Churraoin, each episode will feature incredible stories, music, memories, and conversations from across the Comhaltas community.
We are immensely proud to share that two of our very own Comhaltas in Britain officers—our Youth Officer, Calum McGregor, and our Leas-Cathaoirleach, David Browne—are producers for the series, working hard behind the scenes to bring these episodes to life!
Episode 1 Drops: Wednesday, 10 June 2026 Where to Listen: Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
Be sure to tune in and support our brilliant producers by subscribing so you don't miss an episode! |
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Explore Our Provincial Events Calendar!
A reminder to all our readers that our Provincial Events Calendar is live on the Comhaltas in Britain website! This is your one-stop shop to find out what’s happening in your local area and across the country. From weekly branch lessons and lively local sessions to specialised workshops and family fundraising days, the calendar is packed with opportunities to get involved. We encourage you to check it regularly so you don’t miss out on the fantastic events our branches are hosting. |
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Spread the Word!
Know someone who would love to stay up to date with the latest Irish music, dance, and culture news across Britain? Please feel free to forward this newsletter to friends, family, or fellow branch members.
If you’ve received this from a friend and would like to get our updates directly to your inbox, you can join our official mailing list using the button below. |
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Support Our Tradition: Make a Donation
Comhaltas in Britain is a non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving and promoting our rich cultural heritage. From supporting young learners to hosting regional and national Fleadhanna, every contribution makes a difference.
If you would like to support our work with a one-off or monthly donation, you can do so safely and securely via our donation page. Your generosity helps us keep the music playing for generations to come. |
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Raise Funds While You Shop (At No Extra Cost!)
Did you know you can raise money for Comhaltas in Britain every time you shop online—at no cost to you? We are registered with Easyfundraising, a platform that turns your everyday online shopping into free donations. Over 7,000 brands (including Amazon, eBay, Argos, John Lewis, and M&S) will donate a percentage of what you spend to us, just for using the link! How to get started: Sign Up: It takes two minutes to create an account and select 'Comhaltas in Britain' as your cause. Shop: Start your shopping via the Easyfundraising website or app. Raise: The brand sends us a donation at no extra cost to you.
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