The Fleadh brings over one million people to Belfast

The world's largest celebration of Irish music and culture, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, brought over one million visitors to Belfast during its eight-day run.

The festival was held from August 2-9 and featured over 200 events and 180 music competitions. This included live performances, storytelling sessions, street parties, circus performances, family entertainment and arts and crafts.

Campbell College Bugles, Pipes and Drums, Zoë Conway, Edwina Guckian, Macalla - an ensemble featuring artists from the Northwest Folk Collective in Derry and the Mshakht Collective from Iraq - and many more took to the stage throughout the festival.

Lissadel Céilí Band, winner of the Senior Céilí Band competition, took to the Belfast City Hall Gig Rig stage during the early hours of Monday morning to close the Fleadh.

A speech given by the Lord Mayor of Belfast exclaimed, “A leithéid de sheachtain nach raibh feicthe ariamh i mBéal Feirste," (a week like that that had never been seen in Belfast before.)

“Words cannot do justice to how proud I am of this city and the magic that it has produced over the last eight days. The pictures and videos of our people, our music and our streets projected right around the world show our city at its best."

 

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In another speech, Dr Labhrás O Murchú, Ardstiúrthóir, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann noted, “one million fans can say to Belfast ‘you are the envy of the world’, with perhaps billions worldwide aware of the cultural history made in August 2026.”

A music project backed by Ed Sheeran made their debut on the Fleadh stage. North South Sounds 2026 aims to connect young people in Cork and Belfast through songwriting, performance and community engagement.

"I played the festival last year and have such fond memories of it. If you're there, go and check out some of the incredible young talent," Sheeran told RTE.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was founded in 1951, by a group of traditional musicians, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, who wanted to enhance traditional Irish music, dance and language.

People Before Profit politician Gerry Carroll has since called for a "gratitude payment" to be made made to the workers who made the Fleadh possible, after the festival brought more than a £50 million boost to the local economy.

Carroll also pointed out "how quickly accomodation appeared" in Belfast for vistitors of the Fleadh.

"Temporary villages were built in parks in weeks, while families here wait years in hostels and people burned out of their homes in racist attacks two months ago still have no permanent roof," he stated.

"Culture here can't be a one-week showcase for tourists. It needs ring-fenced, multi-year investment, and Irish language rights delivered in full. Belfast has shown what it is capable of. The challenge now is delivering it for the people who live here all year around."