Belfast to host world's largest Irish music festival in 2026

Hundreds of thousands are expected to visit Belfast as part of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

Gráinne Connolly & Daniel Logan
BBC News NI

The world's largest festival of Irish music and dance is to take place in Belfast in 2026.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann - the All-Ireland Fleadh - is held for a week during August and, in the past, has welcomed up to 600,000 visitors to the host town or city.

Organisers Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) and Belfast City Council officially made the announcement at a city hall event on Saturday.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill described it is a "magnificent opportunity" for Northern Ireland.

The event will be held 2 - 9 August 2026.

It will be the second time the event will be held in Northern Ireland.

Two men sitting side by side as they play their instruments. Mr Rooney on the left plays his brown wooden harp, he has short dark hair and is wearing a dark grey suit with a patterned tie. On the right is Mr Byrne with short brown hair and facial hair who is wearing a black t-shirt and is playing a fiddle. Behind then both is a black backdrop and two coloured stage lights.Getty Images

Harp player Michael Rooney and fiddle player Neill Byrne perform on stage at the Fleadh Cheoil 2015 in Sligo

In 2013 Londonderry hosted the event, attracting an estimated 400,000 people and 20,000 performers.

At the 2024 All-Ireland Fleadh in Wexford, more than 500,000 people visited and more than 1,500 people took part.

The 2025 event is scheduled to take place between 3 -10 August in Wexford.

Dr Labhrás Ó Murchú, the director general of CCÉ, told BBC News NI he has "been looking forward to this for many years".

"It is the Olympics of culture and friendship, and with Comhaltas organised across 22 countries worldwide, I believe this will be one of the greatest gatherings of all time."

A white haired man smiles to the camera. He wears a dark blue suit, white shirt and blue tie. On his left lapel is a small gold pin. Behind him are rows of tables with white cloth over them, paired with grey chairs. Over his right shoulder is a tall green house plant. Over his left shoulder is a mirror with a cream frame.

Director general of Comhaltas Dr Labhrás Ó Murchú

He predicts about 800,000 people will flock to Belfast for the festival, including 20,000 performers that will come from all over Ireland and other parts of the world.

"The biggest benefit will be the legacy that it leaves behind, our experience over the last 74 years has been that a whole new cohort of young people take an interest in the music," he said.

"Belfast is a magnificent city, the venues here, I don't think we get them anywhere else in the country."

'Historic'

The first minister said she is excited to "welcome the world" to Belfast in 2026 for the event.

"This is a magnificent opportunity to showcase our culture, traditions and our warmth while providing a huge boost to our local economy," she said in a video posted to social media platform X.

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The chairperson of Ards CCÉ has described the announcement as a "historic day for Belfast" and a "historic day for the north".

Niall McClean said Belfast is the ideal city to host.

"For the event, this city has got everything; the venues are incredible, and the streets will be buzzing with music."

Seven kids are sitting on a brown wooden stage. Each side of them are two large posters promoting “Fleadh Cheoil ne hEireann Belfast.” Th kids on stage have an assortment of instruments in their hands. Behind them the walls are cream, they sit below a dome in the in a grand hall. Behind them is a green screen with the words Comhaltas.

A band performs at the announcement event at Belfast City hall.

Lord Mayor of Belfast Cllr Micky Murray said he is "delighted" the event will be held in Belfast.

Belfast City Council is "committed to bringing major events to the city", he said.

"We know from past experience the huge social and economic benefits that they can bring, not just to our city centre, but to local communities also."

He added that the event will be a "massive boost" for the hospitality and retail sectors.

"Whether your a fan of live traditional music already, or its all new to you, there will be something for everyone to enjoy."

Members of the public holding hands and dancing in a circle to the music a band is playing next to them. Surrounding them are other people watching. The band members in shot are an older man with a black hat and white shirt with black trousers playing a banjo, and a man with a flat cap checked shirt, brown shoes and green trousers playing an accordion. In front of them is a ring of six people including four women and two men. One woman has blonde hair and is wearing a white top, trousers and sandals with a blue and white jacket around her waist, the next woman has short brown hair and is also wearing white clothing with a blue garment wrapped around her waist. The man next to her has a blue shirt on and grey trousers with short grey hair, behind him you can see the back of a woman with short blonde hair, white trousers and a navy top. Then there is a younger girl with long brown hair, glasses, black jeans and grey jeans. A balding man with black trousers is dancing next to her.Getty Images

Members of the public danced along to the traditional music on the streets of Drogheda at the Fleadh Cheoil na Éireann Drogheda 2018

Martina Connolly, chief executive of Belfast ONE Business Improvement District, which represents over 700 businesses in the city, said the announcement is a "historic and hugely exciting moment".

"The Fleadh will deliver an economic boost worth tens of millions of pounds and is a huge opportunity for local businesses, from hospitality and retail to arts and culture," she said.

"The week-long event will also showcase Belfast as a vibrant, welcoming, and world-class destination."

What is the Fleadh Cheoil?

A black and white image of a group of musicians and audience members from 1964. The band sits in front with the audience behind them. From left to right of the band members is a man with short dark hair playing a string instrument, a man standing with short hair and a jacket on in front of a mic and to his left is a man with short hair sitting down as he plays a guitar.

Luke Kelly attended the Clones Fleadh in 1964

Fleadh Cheoil is an annual Irish arts festival and competition run by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann - the society of the musicians of Ireland.

The organisation was founded in 1951 by traditional musicians and Gaelic culture advocates from across Ireland.

They sought to enhance traditional Irish music, dance and language in Ireland.

Each year Comhaltas hosts numerous fleadhanna (festivals) across the island at county and provincial level.

In oversea regions where fleadhanna are also held they are sometimes known as "Féilte".

The best-known of these festivals is Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, often simply known as the Fleadh.

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