A Swedish sweep at IABS 2026
I've just about recovered from a truly lovely weekend in Killarney for the Irish Association of Barbershop Singers 2026 Convention.
The livestream replay is available on the IABS YouTube channel
IABS has firmly established itself as a must-visit event for barbershoppers around the world. As well as bringing together singers from across Ireland, this year's IABS convention hosted ensembles from the UK, Sweden, Holland, Canada, Cyprus, and the United States.
Organisations represented include BABS, LABBS, IABS, Holland Harmony, SNOBS, the Mixed Barbershop Harmony Association, and SingUnited International.
The weekend's guests were BHS International 5th Place Bronze Medalist quartet Sunday Night Social, as well as Sound of the Rockies chorus, both from Denver, CO.
Great craic
Anyone who has attended an IABS convention understands that these events have a unique atmosphere. It's just great fun. You could hardly move in the afterglow for groups huddled in corners singing tags. The Open Mic Night and Chorditorium offered ensembles a chance to show off their non-contest repertoire for an extremely appreciative audience. And the Guinness really does taste better over there.
Everything takes place at the INEC at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney. Sitting on the shores of the stunning Lough Leane, and surrounded by amazing mountains in all directions, this town has a wonderful charm.
There are plenty of traditional Irish pubs and venues in the town centre, with live folk music spilling out into the street. But there is also a surprising variety of international restaurants, cosy cafes, and modern specialty coffee shops.
Horse-drawn carriages provide tours of the town, and the stunning County Kerry is right on the doorstep. I can't think of many better places to host a convention weekend.
Contest Results
The Swedish groups took home a clean sweep in the International contests, with Pastor Hannes Kör becoming quartet champions with a score of 80.8%, and Rönninge Show Chorus (SUI) winning with a whopping 87.6% score.
Malmö Limelight Chorus (SUI/SNOBS) and Mixed Nuts (Holland Harmony) took home silver and bronze respectively in the chorus contest. Bang on the Beatroot and Late Night Snack (both SNOBS) were quartet silver and bronze medalists.
In the Irish national contests, Dangerous Optimism became quartet champions, and Blingmasters won the chorus contest.
A special shoutout to all the BABS and LABBS ensembles competing over the weekend — their results are summarised below.
LABBS/BABS Quartets
| Place | Quartet | Assoc. | MUS | PER | SNG | Avg % | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Meridian | BABS | 77.0 | 78.8 | 76.2 | 77.3 | 928 |
| 8 | Happy Sundays | LABBS | 74.8 | 74.5 | 76.0 | 75.1 | 901 |
| 12 | Northernish | LABBS | 73.8 | 73.0 | 73.2 | 73.3 | 880 |
| 14 | Off The Record | BABS | 72.5 | 74.8 | 71.0 | 72.8 | 873 |
| 15 | Corvus | BABS | 73.0 | 73.5 | 71.0 | 72.5 | 870 |
| 16 | Something For The Weekend | LABBS | 72.8 | 71.8 | 72.5 | 72.3 | 868 |
| 18 | Chimaera | LABBS | 71.5 | 73.0 | 71.5 | 72.0 | 864 |
| 19 | Powerhouse | LABBS | 72.8 | 71.0 | 71.2 | 71.7 | 860 |
| 20 | Butter Side Up | LABBS | 70.2 | 72.8 | 71.2 | 71.4 | 857 |
| 22 | In The Wings | BABS | 71.0 | 72.5 | 68.5 | 70.7 | 848 |
| 28 | Seize the Day | BABS | 69.8 | 68.0 | 68.8 | 68.8 | 826 |
| 31= | Baked From Scratch | LABBS | 65.2 | 66.2 | 68.0 | 66.5 | 798 |
| 34 | Bookmark | LABBS | 65.8 | 64.0 | 65.5 | 65.1 | 781 |
LABBS/BABS Choruses
| Place | Chorus | Assoc. | On stage | MUS | PER | SNG | Avg % | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | The Great Western Chorus | BABS | 22 | 80.0 | 83.5 | 81.8 | 81.8 | 981 |
| 6 | Impromptu | LABBS, BABS | 21 | 82.2 | 81.2 | 80.2 | 81.3 | 975 |
| 14 | Black Cat Harmony | BABS | 30 | 71.0 | 73.0 | 70.5 | 71.5 | 858 |