Conor Walsh Blog

We hear from Conor Walsh, a driving force in the London and Southern region of Comhaltas in Britain. Conor’s dedication to Irish traditional music is widely recognised - whether performing, mentoring, or adjudicating, his passion shines through. Anyone who has seen him adjudicating a singing competition knows just how encouraging and supportive he is, inspiring young singers to build confidence and discover the joy of performance.

Beyond competitions, Conor has played a key role in fostering the community spirit of Comhaltas. He runs the exciting raffles at the London and Southern Region Fleadh, has organised competitions for young people to design Fleadh programme covers, and introduced a non-competitive waltzing event, creating fun and inclusive ways for the community to engage.

This year, Conor will be taking on the prestigious role of Fleadh Cheoil na Breataine Chairperson for 2026, a position that reflects his long-standing commitment to nurturing talent and promoting Irish traditional music across Britain. Conor is also now the Chair of the West London branch.

His journey through Irish music is a testament to dedication, tradition, and the lasting friendships that come from sharing a love of song. He continues to connect performers, audiences, and fellow members alike, ensuring that the spirit of Comhaltas thrives both on and off the stage.

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My journey with Comhaltas began in 1990 when I started singing Sean Nós songs. Coming from a family rich in traditional singing, my older siblings passed the tradition down. From learning songs such as The Mulcaire River and P Stands for Paddy, it was a strong foundation for beginning Sean Nós performances at Fleadhs and other Comhaltas events in Kerry.

My first singing competition was in early 1991 in Scartaglen. I clearly remember my Mum travelling with me, singing The Mulcaire River to a packed hall. The adjudicator that day was Dan Keane from Moyvane. I won a gold medal, and that was the spark that inspired me to learn new songs and enter more competitions. Just two days later, my Mum took me to Tournafulla for another Fleadh, adjudicated by Patrick Brosnan from Limerick. There, I could hear new songs, learn different styles, and expand my Sean Nós repertoire.

It was later in 1991 that I entered my first Fleadh Cheoil and made it to the All-Ireland in Sligo. At this stage, winning wasn’t the goal - it was about gaining confidence singing in front of a large audience, and I achieved that. From then on, I moved through the ranks from underage to senior level, learning new songs and attending singing sessions whenever opportunities arose.

In 1996, I won my first All-Ireland in Listowel and also came second in English singing - all on the same day! The hard work and dedication to Sean Nós singing had paid off, and it was an incredible feeling to take home both a gold and a silver medal.

Before moving to London, I was selected for the Echoes of Erin tour across Ireland, Britain, and America. Being part of this amazing group allowed me to entertain diaspora communities, meet new people, and build lifelong friendships. For me, Comhaltas has always been about more than competitions - it’s about a shared love of Irish music, song, dance, and storytelling, and creating a welcoming, encouraging community.

Back in the early days, it was singers such as Nora Butler, Karen Trench, Colm O’Donnell, and Seán Keane whose styles I listened to and learned from. Singing sessions, competitions, and CDs allowed me to pick up new songs, and attending Scoil Éigse in the early 1990s helped broaden my repertoire. From The Mulcaire River to The Lady of Loughrea, Day Breaks o’re Rathea, Ten Minutes Too Late, and Na Connerys, many of these early songs I continue to perform today at sessions and Fleadhs whenever possible.

In 2003, I moved to London to start my teaching career and soon connected with Comhaltas here. Meeting Pat Connolly at the Haringey Irish Centre remains one of my earliest memories of Comhaltas in London. To this day, I am proud to be a member, supporting Fleadh events, engaging with the regional Fleadh, and taking on the role of All Britain Fleadh Chairperson 2026. The London and Southern Region looks forward to welcoming all Comhaltas members - and non-members - to London for a weekend to celebrate everything Irish.

Looking ahead, I hope to give back to younger generations what I learned growing up and to continue promoting the love of Sean Nós singing in Britain.

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The All Britain Fleadh will be hosted by the London and Southern region over the weekend of 26th–28th June 2026. The venue will be officially announced next month. In the meantime, you can keep up to date and view all the regional Fleadhanna dates here: https://www.comhaltas.co.uk/allbritainfleadh