Opening Event
Sunday 2 August
Expect lively entertainment, stirring performances and contemporary collaborations as Belfast welcomes Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to the city for the first time. With City Hall as its impressive backdrop, the opening day event on the main Gig Rig stage will set the tone for an energetic week ahead.
Join musicians, dancers and performers as they treat visitors from across the world to a special showcase of the very best of traditional music, song and dance. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of traditional music or experiencing the Fleadh for the first time, be part of a momentous moment for Belfast and for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
Meet the headline artists
Sharon Shannon and Big Band
Sharon Shannon is one of Ireland’s legendary musicians. The genre-defying star shares a brilliance on the button accordion that can only be matched by her musical repertoire. While rooted in traditional Irish music, Sharon redefines and reimagines the boundaries of trad through her collaborations with reggae, rap, country and classical musicians. Her list of collaborators is as extensive as her impressive instrumental technique. Her dynamic stage presence comes as a soloist and alongside her impressive Big Band.
Goitse
This multi-award-winning quintet are a celebrated traditional music ensemble with a signature blend of original compositions and timeless traditional tunes. They continue to redefine what it means to be ambassadors of Irish traditional music, pushing boundaries while honouring the past. The gripping rhythm section of Colm Phelan and Conal O'Kane sets a powerful drive for the music, while the sweet, charismatic voice of County Louth's Áine McGeeney draws audiences into a song the way few performers can. Danny Collins, a multi-instrumentalist All-Ireland Champion, is known for his distinctively rhythmic and expressive piano accordion playing, while Alan Reid features on banjo and bouzouki, drawing from an extensive knowledge of archival collections that enrich the band's repertoire.
Blackwater Céilí Band
The Blackwater Céilí Band from County Tyrone bring boundless energy and passion to every performance, creating fresh musical interpretations with distinctive character and detail, firmly rooted in the Ulster tradition. In 2018, the talented group made history, claiming the prestigious Senior All-Ireland Céilí Band title at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Drogheda - one of only three Ulster bands to accomplish the feat, cementing their place in the annals of céilí band folklore. Building upon their landmark success, the band have toured extensively, bringing their signature sound and rhythmical musical style to many captivated audiences.
McPeake Family
McPeake is taking the world of Celtic music by storm with its own contemporary brand of self-penned songs and compositions. The new generation of this famous Belfast family has developed a distinctive sound that is totally immersed in the popular culture of today, while maintaining a firm anchor in the influences of past generations. Their unique blend of Indie, Country, Folk and Irish music attracts widely diverse audiences.
The line-up will also include a range of school choirs, as well as cross-community and multi-cultural performances creating a day of free entertainment and a week of multi-generational shared celebration across the city.
More details about the opening event including times will be shared in the coming weeks.