Previewing Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast

The world of traditional music, song, and dance will converge on Belfast, Ireland’s only UNESCO city of music from 2 August to 9 August 2026 in what is shaping up to be the party of the year for the city and the province, writes Attracta Ní Bhrádaigh, President of Comhaltas.

This will be the first time ever that Belfast has hosted Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and only the second time that the Fleadh has come to the North. Derry hosted the Fleadh when it made history as the inaugural UK city of culture in 2013.

What is the fleadh and what is Comhaltas?

The Fleadh is an Irish word meaning festival. Comhaltas is the organisation dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music, song, dance, and the Irish language.

Comhaltas organises and runs thousands of events including the Fleadhanna. There are 43 Fleadhanna organised on a county/regional basis providing qualifiers to provincial finals which in turn provide the competitors for Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann which is the All-Ireland final.

This Fleadh is the largest of all the Fleadhanna and is organised by the Fleadh Executive Committee, a collaboration between Belfast City Council, Ards Comhaltas, Ulster Comhaltas, and National Comhaltas. Comhaltas celebrates its 75th anniversary this year with many events planned for Belfast.

How will Belfast and Ulster benefit?

Belfast and its environs are leaving no stone unturned to make certain that every visitor will experience the city as the vibrant, modern metropolis that it is along with a music culture that is the envy of many.

The location of the city will provide people with an opportunity to experience traditional Irish music, song, and dance on their doorstep who otherwise would never have been able to travel to a Fleadh venue. The Fleadh was held in Wexford in 2024 and 2025, a four-hour drive of over 200 miles.

In economic terms, Belfast and its surrounding areas are set to benefit from a projected influx of over 900,000 visitors over the course of 10 days with estimates in the region of an £80 million boost to the local economy. Most of this income will be generated in the hospitality sector with accommodation, food, and drink being the greatest beneficiaries.

Belfast will benefit also from a cultural boost in the shape of thousands of musicians, singers, and dancers gracing the streets and the establishments with their crafts. The Fleadh is a renowned meeting place for traditional performers to connect with old friends, establish new friendships, and sing, dance, and play music until the wee hours of the morning.

These traditional artists are, in the main, amateur musicians. But, be under no illusion, these artists take their craft very seriously indeed with many having spent years, if not decades, practising for hours per week if not per day.

What can the people expect in terms of events?

The most obvious part of the Fleadh will be the informal sessions that will pop up in pubs, shops, restaurants, hotels, under arches, in the streets; in fact, anywhere there is a free space and perhaps a ledge to sit on. Busking has become a feature of the Fleadh in recent years with many children taking their instruments out on to the streets to entertain the passing crowds. There will also be hundreds of free events around the city and many subscribed concerts, gigs and recitals.

The Fleadh will include a week long list of activities to suit all ages and levels of musical ability and fitness. The official opening of the Fleadh will take place on 2 August 2026 on the main gig rig at City Hall.

The gig rig will continue for the duration of the Fleadh with a full schedule of acts each day. Expect lively entertainment, performances, and contemporary collaborations including cross community and multi-cultural performances.

Scoil Éigse is a five-day music school offering masterclasses in all traditional instruments, song, dance, and the Irish language. Classes are available from Monday 3 August to 7 August in adult mixed instruments, amhránaíocht, banjo, bodhrán, button accordion, comhrá, concertina, fiddle, flute, harp, piano accompaniment, piano accordion, rince ar an sean nós, traditional singing, uilleann pipes, and whistle. Pre-registration is required with details available on scoileigse.ie.

The MAC will operate as the Irish language hub, offering a week of language learning, music, art, storytelling, and workshops, all delivered in Irish. The Corn Market will host a programme of events promoting Ulster Scots language and traditions.

During the week, there will be several major events in various venues, including the Gradam inclusion awards for artists with additional needs; Ards Comhaltas 50th anniversary concert, bardic awards for individuals who have made exceptional contributions to traditional music, song, and dance; Ómós na nUltach, a specially commissioned suite of music performed by the Ulster Youth Folk Orchestra; Flanagan Award; Ard Ollamh award; Ceol na Cruinne, the international showcase; Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland; Connections by ArtsEkta; and many podcasts, and CD, book, and publications launches.

Competitions, to be held in Ulster University, Ulster Hall, the Waterfront, and the ICC, will feature competitors in different age groups from all over Ireland, Britain, USA, and Canada as well as representatives from Europe, Australia, Japan, and several other countries. These competitions are open to the public and will provide a memorable snapshot of the standards of excellence that is required to compete at this level.

The Fringe Fleadh will incorporate many events from workshops to talks, heritage trails and family activities. Over 50 official events are planned for north, south, east, and west Belfast, engaging with communities before, during, and after the Fleadh. Collaborating with more than 300 artists and 60 organisations, neighbourhood-based fringe activities will deliver a programme of music, poetry, drama, visual arts, and community events.

Full details of all events may be obtained on fleadhcheoil.ie

Attracta Ní Bhrádaigh is a multi-All-Ireland winning musician and the current President of Comhaltas. She is also a music teacher and former secondary school teacher.