29 July 2026

With just four days to go until Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann arrives in Belfast, visitors travelling to the city are being encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra time for journeys and make use of public transport and dedicated Park and Ride services.

More than 800,000 visitors are expected to attend the Fleadh between Sunday 2 and Sunday 9 August, making it one of the largest events ever hosted in Belfast.

A large area of the city centre will be pedestrianised throughout the event, creating a safe and welcoming festival zone around the main Fleadh venues.

Anyone travelling from outside the city is encouraged to use public transport for their whole journey, or to complete it using a free shuttle bus operating from three low-cost Park and Ride sites.

 

Park and Ride

Three official Park and Ride sites will operate throughout the Fleadh.

These are located at Eikon Exhibition Centre (M1 corridor), Giant's Park (M2 corridor) and Belfast Harbour Estate (M3 corridor). Large format directional signage will be in place to guide drivers to the locations.

Parking costs £10 per day and frequent shuttle buses, running every 10 minutes at peak times, will connect all three sites directly with the city centre.

Pre-book in advance at fleadhcheoil.ie/parkandride or pay on the day (contactless only) with spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis.

All shuttle buses are fully accessible, and disabled parking is also available at each Park and Ride site, located close to pick-up points.

 

Public transport

Visitors travelling from across Ireland can take advantage of enhanced public transport services during the Fleadh – visit translink.co.uk/fleadh, download the Translink Journey Planner app and follow Translink on social media for full details on services and good value ticket options.

All Translink Metro, Glider, Ulsterbus and train services will operate throughout the event, with enhanced capacity and frequency to meet anticipated demand, including on the cross-border Enterprise rail service and on X1 / X2 coach services between Dublin-Belfast.

 

Getting around the Fleadh

Belfast is one of the most compact cities ever to host the Fleadh, with most competition venues, concert locations and festival activity within easy walking distance of one another.

Additional signage will be in place throughout the city centre, along with support from the event’s 1,300 volunteers, to help visitors navigate between venues.

A free city centre loop shuttle service will also operate daily for anyone with mobility requirements or carrying instruments and heavy equipment.

Translink bus and rail services are the ideal option if you want to experience what else the rest of the city, and wider region, has to enjoy.

Translink bus services accept contactless payments - simply tap once with your contactless credit or debit card or smart device where you see the contactless symbol on the driver’s ticket machine reader.

 

Taxis and coaches

Taxi services will continue to operate, with dedicated pick-up and drop-off locations located around the edge of the pedestrianised event zone.

All main taxi operators are aware of these arrangements and will highlight your collection point when booking a fare by phone or when using an app.

Public hire taxis will operate as normal, where possible, with some temporary relocations at peak visitor times.

Coach and tour bus services will operate from Linenhall Street, as well as three dedicated parking sites, throughout the event. Tour operators can book a slot to enter the free coach terminal or coach parking sites, where there are also comfort and convenience facilities for coach drivers.

For more information or to book, email fleadhalh@trafficmanagementcompany.com.

 

Before you travel

  • Plan your journey in advance
  • Leave extra time for travel
  • Don’t drive into Belfast city centre – many roads and streets will be closed to vehicle traffic and no stopping, parking or waiting restrictions will be in place around the pedestrian event zone
  • Don’t park in residential areas, public car parks or lay-bys – use the Park and Ride sites and shuttle buses instead
  • Walk where possible between venues and events
  • Use public transport to travel across the city – contactless payments welcome
  • Expect services to be busy, particularly at peak times and after major events

For all the latest public transport information from Sunday 2 to Sunday 9 August, visit translink.co.uk/fleadh and download the Translink Journey Planner app.

For full details of Park and Ride sites and shuttle bus times in and out of Belfast city centre, visit fleadhcheoil.ie/parkandride