16 June 2026
Visitors travelling to the All-Ireland Fleadh in Belfast should plan their journey, leave extra time and make use of public transport, including dedicated Park and Ride services – that’s the message from Belfast City Council and its partners who have today announced traffic and travel plans for the annual Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
Extensive traffic management measures will be in place to ensure visitors can make their way around safely and easily from Sunday 2 to Sunday 9 August.
As part of the event, Belfast city centre will be pedestrianised, helping to create a welcoming event zone as the city prepares to host the world’s largest celebration of Irish music and culture for the first time.
With an anticipated 800,000 people expected over eight days, three dedicated Park and Ride sites will be open for those travelling to the city. Visitors are advised not to drive into the city centre and instead use the Park and Ride facilities at Eikon Exhibition Centre (close to the M1), Giant’s Park (close to M2) and Belfast Harbour (near the M3).
These sites will provide regular and convenient access to everything the Fleadh has to offer, while significantly reducing vehicle traffic around the main event.
Pre-booking is strongly advised and will be available via fleadhcheol.ie/travel from Monday 6 July. Car parking at all three sites will cost £10 per day.
A free shuttle bus service, with fully accessible buses, will run regularly to either Grand Central Station or Laganside Bus Centre, depending on the site. Disabled parking will be allocated to blue badge holders when they pre-book their Park and Ride space.
As a compact and easy to navigate city, those attending the Fleadh in Belfast can walk, cycle or use public transport to explore the city. Signage and additional wayfinding will be in place to direct visitors towards Fleadh venues, and volunteers will be on hand at key locations, including Belfast Grand Central Station and Lanyon Place Station.
A fully accessible city centre loop shuttle bus service will also operate daily for those with accessibility requirements or carrying heavy instruments.
All the city’s public transport services will run as normal during the event and any minor alterations to bus stops and pick-up points will be available online at translink.co.uk/fleadh and via the Translink Journey Planner app. The public transport network will also help visitors explore the wider city and region.
All three official Fleadh campsites – at Titanic Quarter, Ormeau Park and Falls Park – are located close to main bus routes or are an easy walk to the city centre, while the vast majority of Fleadh events are all located within 15 minutes’ walk from Belfast city centre itself.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, said: “Hosting Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast for the first time will bring significant crowds to our city and we want everyone to enjoy the event, with as little disruption as possible.
“Pedestrianising the city centre will create a safer and more enjoyable experience for residents, visitors and performers alike, and enable us to create the festival atmosphere the Fleadh is famous for.
“Our message is simple - don’t drive into the city centre while Fleadh is in town. If you’re travelling into Belfast to join the party, pre-book your parking in advance for one of our dedicated Park and Ride sites, or take the bus or train instead.
“By working together, and heeding this travel advice, we can all help the event to run smoothly and ensure everyone moves with the rhythm of the Fleadh this summer.”
There will be additional capacity on Translink’s cross-border coach and train services, with frequent connections into the heart of Belfast city centre, and Translink have a wide range of good value fares in place to help visitors make the most of their stay.
Translink Belfast Area Manager Sean McGreevy said: “Public transport has a vital role to play in showcasing the city and beyond this summer, and we have worked closely with our Fleadh event partners to provide a tailored transport plan, providing convenient and good-value journey options.
“Translink has extensive experience of delivering successful transport plans for major events and we want to help everyone get to where they need to be, reducing congestion and ensuring Belfast stays on the move with all available resources in operation.
“Our services and facilities will be bustling over the summer, especially Belfast Grand Central Station, which will be a welcoming main gateway into the city. We’re looking forward to welcoming thousands of additional visitors on board our buses, coaches and trains during Fleadh, as well as ensuring we meet the needs of our regular customers.
“Customers should expect Translink services to be very busy, so using on-board bus contactless payment options is recommended for speed and convenience and everyone is advised to plan their travel in advance, leaving extra time for journeys.”
The pedestrianised event zone, right in the heart of Belfast city centre, will provide a unique setting for a packed programme of competitions, concerts, céilís and more during this year’s Fleadh.
With street entertainment, cultural showcases and family activities all planned alongside the music, the city’s tourism sector has welcomed the opportunity to entice so many visitors to Belfast.
Áine Kearney, Director of Events at Tourism Northern Ireland, said: “The countdown to the 2026 Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is firmly underway, and all partner organisations are working closely together to ensure it is a truly memorable occasion.
“Hosting the Fleadh will be a landmark moment for Northern Ireland, and we want to ensure all visitors make the most of every moment here, not just at the Fleadh, but right across the destination.
“This transport plan offers a variety of travel options for those attending the Fleadh, and we encourage visitors to use public transport wherever possible to support more sustainable journeys.
“While the Fleadh will draw people to Belfast, we aim to inspire them to venture further to discover our landscapes, flavours, culture and stories that make this place truly special.”
MaryJo McCanny, Director of Visitor Experience and Destination Initiative with Visit Belfast, said: “Hosting Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast for the first time is a significant milestone, not just for our city, but for the entire island of Ireland. This festival represents the pinnacle of Irish traditional music, song, and dance.
“This event provides a fantastic opportunity to highlight the best of what Belfast and the surrounding region have to offer — from our rich cultural heritage and world-class hospitality to our breathtaking landscapes and the creativity that has earned Belfast its designation as a UNESCO City of Music.
“This recognition reflects the deep musical spirit that permeates our city, making Fleadh Cheoil the perfect occasion to celebrate together.
“We are committed to ensuring that every visitor, whether travelling from within Ireland or further afield, enjoys an unforgettable experience and forges a lasting connection with our remarkable city.
“We are fully supportive of the additional public transport measures that have been put in place to ensure the city remains accessible and moves smoothly for visitors and for everyone.”
Detailed travel information for those travelling to Fleadh is available from fleadhcheoil.ie/travel – this includes Park and Ride locations, booking details and tips for planning your journey around Belfast. Shuttle bus schedules will also be available in the coming weeks.
The Translink website - translink.co.uk/fleadh – has info on bus and train services, good value fares, bus stop alterations and other useful advice to plan your journey.