News

• 3 min read

10 August 2026 An Un-Fleadh-gettable week in Belfast as city centre footfall reaches 1.65 million – more than double initial estimates for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 It’s been a week to remember for Belfast, with Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann…

• 1 min read

10 August 2026 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann came to a close at Belfast City Hall late yesterday evening with a rousing performance from the Lissadel Céilí Band, this year’s winners of the Senior Céilí Band competition. Audiences watched on as the…

• 4 min read

On behalf of hosts Belfast City Council, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Ards CCÉ, a message of thank you to everyone in the city, as Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann draws to a close after eight days of unforgettable music, colour and friendship: “A…

• 7 min read

9 August 2026 After a magical, whirlwind week of music, culture, craic, learning, competition, community and friendship among people of all ages and backgrounds, it’s almost time to bid farewell to the Fleadh tonight, Sunday 9 August – until next summer that is! The…

• 2 min read

Saturday is widely expected to be one of the busiest days for this year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, as crowds continue to soak up the atmosphere of the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture. Day 7 of the festival sees the continuation of…

• 8 min read

People are being encouraged to leave the car at home and use one of the three Fleadh Park & Ride sites at Eikon Exhibition Centre, Sprucefield (near M1), Giant's Park (near M2) and Belfast Harbour Estate (near M3) as Belfast hosts the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann…

• 2 min read

Day 6 of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann has seen the first All-Ireland competitions get underway across Belfast city centre, as crowds continue to flock to the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture. Latest figures from Belfast One Business Improvement…

• 4 min read

Today, Friday 7 August, sees the start of the hotly anticipated Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann competitions in Belfast, with over 5,000 competitors from 22 countries vying for All-Ireland titles in music, dancing and sean nós singing. Judging starts at 2.30pm at the…

• 1 min read

The Ulster Bands Showcase took place at the Titanic Slipways this evening as part of Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026. Presented by the Belfast Bands Forum, the event celebrated the rich and distinct heritage of Unionist and Ulster-Scots culture through its musical…

• 1 min read

Hundreds of aspiring young musicians and learners have been gathering at Ulster University this week for world-class traditional Irish music song, dance and language tuition. Scoil Éigse is the international summer school for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann…

• 4 min read

6 August 2026 Day 5 of the Fleadh takes the action from day into evening with late night travel options for residents and visitors It’s Day 5 of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast and spirits are still high, ahead of what is traditionally the busiest period of the…

• 3 min read

5 August 2026 Today marks the halfway point of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast – and the energy shows no sign of waning! With huge footfall into the city centre to experience all that the event has on offer, the music has continued on Day 4, with another…

• 4 min read

5 August 2026 Bring the whole family along to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast this week, with loads available to keep them entertained during the summer holidays. Families are very welcome to enjoy everything on offer on Day 4 of the event, with plenty to see and do…

• 4 min read

Belfast is experiencing an influx of visitors this week for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, with Sunday’s opening event helping to make it the busiest day in the city centre so far this year. Hosts Belfast City Council, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Ards…

• 7 min read

4 August 2026 Pack your umbrella and raincoat and tune up for Day 3 of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, with plenty of options to keep everyone entertained, whatever the weather. With a mix of thundery showers and sunshine in today’s forecast, keep across all the latest…

• 1 min read

Monday 3 August Landmark Fleadh event Gradam Inclusion Awards celebrating traditional Irish musicians with additional needs – among the highlights of Fleadh Belfast today The Comhaltas Gradam Inclusion Awards were one of the highlights of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann…

• 6 min read

2 August 2026 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann officially opens in Belfast, inviting the city to ‘celebrate together’ with opening event celebrations and colourful performances Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 has officially opened in Belfast for the…

• 6 min read

It’s Day 1 of the Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast today – and the city is ready for the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture to begin! If you’re travelling into Belfast city centre today from elsewhere in the city…

• 4 min read

From City Hall and the Gig Rig to the Waterfront Hall, the MAC, the Ulster Hall and neighbourhood venues across the city, Belfast is tuning up to welcome visitors this weekend for eight days of traditional music, culture and community. With just 48 hours to go until Fleadh Cheoil…

• 7 min read

30 July 2026 Stage is set for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, with everyone invited to ‘celebrate together’ at Sunday’s opening event Belfast will officially strike the first note of the Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 this Sunday 2 August, from…

• 4 min read

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…

• 15 min read

31 July 2026 I mí Lúnasa, beidh an ceiliúradh is mó de cheol, amhránaíocht agus damhsa traidisiúnta na hÉireann ar domhan ar siúl i mBéal Feirste nuair a bheidh Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann sa chathair den chéad uair riamh…

• 5 min read

RTÉ Raidió Na Gaeltachta, RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player to broadcast the best of the reels, rhymes and rambles from Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 is bound for Belfast from Sunday 2 nd…

• 5 min read

24 July 2026 Belfast City Council and partners are working to ensure that every visitor experiences a warm welcome and an inclusive, accessible Fleadh this August. Accessible facilities and support during the world’s largest annual festival and competition celebrating…

• 3 min read

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann announces sponsors as countdown continues to the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture in Belfast 17 July 2026 Seven major businesses have now signed up to support this year’s Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann…

• 3 min read

15 July 2026 From artisan producers and market traders to independent cafés, restaurants and drinks brands, Belfast’s thriving food and drink scene will serve up a warm welcome to the 800,000+ people expected to attend the Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in…

• 3 min read

Foinneóg: 75 Bliain Ag Fás will conclude with a live event at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann this August. Taking place at The Studio, Grand Opera House, Belfast, on Friday 7 August at 5.30pm, the event marks the finale of the ten-part podcast series celebrating 75 years…

• 3 min read

8 July 2026 Visitors travelling into Belfast for this summer's Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann are being encouraged to plan ahead and make use of an extensive Park and Ride network to enjoy the eight-day festival. With over 800,000 visitors expected to attend events…

• 4 min read

Belfast is preparing to take centre stage, as partners across the city come together today to mark six weeks to go until Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. At an event in the Black Box, hosts Belfast City Council joined with organisers Comhaltas Ceoltóir…

• 7 min read

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…

• 3 min read

Friday 12 June This August, Belfast will play host to the biggest celebration of Irish traditional music, song and dance in the world as Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann arrives in the city for the very first time. From August 6th–9th, TG4 will broadcast Fleadh26, four…

• 5 min read

28 May 2026 As TG4 celebrates 30 years on air and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann celebrates 75 years since its inception, TG4 have increased the scale of its multi-platform output for 2026 to bring the world’s largest celebration of Irish traditional music and…

• 5 min read

27 May 2026 Belfast has plenty of options for all visitors staying over in the city for the upcoming Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Around 800,000 people are expected to attend the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture when Belfast hosts the…

• 2 min read

Their Majesties The King and Queen were in Belfast today for a preview of the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which will be hosted in the city for the first time from 2-9 August. The King and Queen visited the…

• 6 min read

Foy Vance, ‘Sharing Traditions’ showcase and a flavour of 90+ event fringe festival among the further highlights confirmed for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast Belfast will showcase its UNESCO City of Music status with a vibrant, diverse and exciting array…

• 4 min read

24 April 2026 Belfast City Council and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann have marked 100 days until Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann by unveiling seven new headline acts set to perform at the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture. As Belfast…

• 5 min read

Monday 16 March Belfast City Council has set out proposals to keep the city moving during the upcoming Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann as the size and scale of this summer’s event begins to take shape. An estimated 800,000 people are expected to descend on Belfast from…

• 4 min read

Saturday 7 March Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann have confirmed Belfast will host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann again in 2027, marking the second consecutive year that the city will welcome the world’s largest celebration of Irish music and culture. The news…

• 2 min read

26 February 2026 Belfast has reached an impressive milestone on its journey to hosting the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture. 1,000 volunteers have now signed up to support the delivery of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026. Those recruited will play…

• 4 min read

12 January 2026 Belfast City Council and Comhaltas have today announced the key city centre venues that will host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann this summer. As Belfast tunes up to hold the iconic event for the first time (Sunday 2 to Sunday 9 August 2026), organisers have also…

• 3 min read

Volunteer roles open for Belfast Fleadh in 2026 6 October 2025 The search is on for volunteers to help with the smooth running of the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will make history by coming to Belfast for the first…