Summary

  • Tens of thousands of people are beginning to arrive in Belfast city centre for one of the busiest days of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

  • It is the largest celebration of Irish music and culture in the world

  • Gigs and concerts started around 12:00BST across the city

  • The city is hosting the event for the first time, and it is expected to bring an economic boost of more than £50m

  • Organisers are expecting 800,000 people to visit Belfast this week

  • Northern Ireland's transport operator Translink say they have recorded over 1 million passenger journeys already this week

  • Traffic disruption is expected as large parts of the city centre have been pedestrianised

What are your experiences of the Fleadh so far?

Live Reporting

Edited by Nalina Eggert

  1. AI Ed Sheeran 'visits' Belfast

    Patrick Magee
    BBC News NI

    The image is covered with a red warning saying "AI-GENERATED" in the background there is a man with a black tee shirt and ginger hair, standing behind a bar table holding a cocktail shaker.Coco Belfast

    AI Ed helping bar staff at Coco Restaurant in Belfast city centre

    Ed Sheeran appears to have been making his way around Belfast this week from shaking cocktails behind the counter at a restaurant, to leaving a coffee shop on the Lower Ormeau Road with one of their pastel de natas.

    The image is covered with a red warning saying "AI-GENERATED" in the background there is a man with a white tee shirt and ginger hair, he is walking with a tart in his right hand and a brown paper bag in his left hand saying in black writing "NATA"Nata Coffee House

    Even during the Fleadh, AI Ed still found time for a sweet treat

    There’s just one catch… these visits are all AI-generated creations from local businesses joining in on the trend, inspired by rumours the singer could make an appearance at the Fleadh.

    So far there's no sign of the real Ed - but the AI version is certainly keeping busy.

    The image is covered with a red warning saying "AI-GENERATED" in the background there is a man with a white tee shirt and ginger hair, he is standing in a busy city centre with shops and people in the background. He is holding a brown coffee cup with black writing on it saying "Honey".Honey Co. Coffee

    He’s also been "spotted" visiting HoneyCo Coffee’s stall in the city centre.

  2. Listen: 'Joyous, happy occasion'

    As the Fleadh kicked off this week our radio programmes have been out and about taking it all in.

    Good Morning Ulster was broadcast live from the gig rig at Belfast City Hall and presenter Sarah Brett was joined by a range of guests including Niall McClean, who has been instrumental in bringing the Fleadh to Belfast, and Lauren Smyth, a former principal lead dancer with Riverdance.

    Listen below as Sarah began by asking Niall about the significance of the Fleadh taking place in Belfast.

    Niall McClean from Comhaltas & Irish dancer Lauren Smyth meet Sarah as the Fleadh begins

  3. In pictures: Hundreds of thousands come to Belfast

    The city centre has been buzzing since the arrival of the Fleadh last Sunday.

    More than 176,000 people were in the city centre for the opening ceremony - an increase of 95% on the same day last year.

    Organisers had expected 800,000 to visit but say it looks like they may now pass exceed that number.

    Take a look at some of the crowds that have soaked up the atmosphere.

    Crowds gather outside Belfast City HallPA Media
    Crowds in city hall groundsPA Media
    Crowds watching a band on stage in Belfast
    Crowds in Belfast City HallPacemaker
    An ariel view of city hall oin Belfast

  4. Fleadh 'biggest event' Belfast has hosted says tourism body

    Finn Purdy
    BBC News NI

    Mary Jo McCanny from Visit Belfast said she hoped that many of the first-time visitors to Belfast for the Fleadh would return.

    “We know already that our visitors when they come they have an amazing time and so many of them say they’ll come back but I think this will really strengthen that.

    “I think the experiences that they have on the ground today for a cruise passenger or for a few days for somebody just coming for the Fleadh, they’ll definitely bring people back.

    She added that the Fleadh was the “biggest event that the city has ever hosted”.

    “We are expecting loads and loads of visitors, an estimation of about 800,000 visitors, but I think already we are ahead of the game with that.

  5. Trad Pink Pony Club!

    Have you ever heard a trad version of Pink Pony Club?

    As Belfast city centre is pedestrianised, pubs have been setting up outdoor stages and crowds have been gathering to listen to musicians.

    We took this video of crowds on High Street in Belfast at around 11pm dancing to a trad version of Pink Pony Club.

    Street party atmosphere at the Fleadh in Belfast

  6. Singer Cammy Barnes 'buzzing' to perform at Custom House Square later

    Cammy Barnes on stage with Delta GoodremPA

    On Sunday Cammy Barnes performed at the Commonwealth Games with Delta Goodrem, he'll be playing at the Fleadh later tonight

    Less than a week ago, Scottish singer Cammy Barnes performed to millions of viewers across the world when he sang a duet with Australian singer Delta Goodrem at the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony in Glasgow.

    Later tonight, he'll perform a free gig at Custom House Square. It's at 18:20BST, tickets are not required and it'll be first come, first served.

    "I’m buzzing to get over to Belfast for the Fleadh," he told BBC News NI.

    "It's one I've been excited to play for a while.

    It's been an incredible few weeks, so to get the chance to keep that momentum going in a city I love is something I'm really looking forward to."

  7. Everywhere you look someone is playing a music instrument

    Peter Coulter
    BBC News NI live page reporter

    A group of musicians playing in Belfast

    A few weeks ago, a lot of people in Northern Ireland probably had never heard of the Fleadh or could tell you anything about it.

    But since the festival started last Sunday, the streets have been packed, everywhere you look someone is playing a musical instrument or a session seems to have popped up out of nowhere.

    The streets have been pedestrianised and old buildings that have been derelict for decades have been brought back to life for this week as temporary pubs move in. The buses are packed as well, getting a Glider home last night at 11pm felt more like a London tube at rush hour than Belfast at the end of the night.

    Northern Ireland's First Minister said everyone she meets says the city is just "buzzing" and things are really just getting started.

    There are hundreds of gigs and concerts planned for today and the rest of the weekend. Northern Irish artists like Foy Vance and Ryan McMullan will be performing free gigs in the city centre but that's just sample of what's going on.

  8. A look back at Sunday's Fleadh opening ceremony

    Four women are standing together. The two on the outside have their hands clasped. The two in the middle are clapping. All are smiling. Other people and a large screen and chairs are in the background.PA Media

    The deputy first minister, the first minister, the lord mayor of Belfast and the president of Ireland shared a stage at the Fleadh's opening ceremony

    The Fleadh, the top all-Ireland celebration and competition of Irish music and dance, had never been held in Belfast before.

    So it's maybe no surprise that thousands of people flocked to the City Hall last Sunday to get it officially started.

    The opening ceremony featured performances from local musicians and dancers, including Ards CCÉ, the local branch of Comhaltas, which organises the Fleadh, before speeches from Irish President Catherine Connolly, First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Belfast Lord Mayor Róis-Máire Donnelly.

    President Connolly described it as “very, very special” that the Fleadh is being held in Belfast, saying the festival celebrates “what we have in common and the universality of music, song and dance”.

    First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she couldn't be prouder that Belfast is hosting the event. "It is our Fleadh and we'll celebrate it together," she said.

    Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said culture does not divide people.

    "It strengthens the place we all call home," she added.

    A man is standing onstage with his arms up. He has long hair and a beard and wears glasses. He's wearing a grey suit.Pacemaker Press

    Trad royalty The Hothouse Flowers performed on Sunday afternoon

    The celebrations continued throughout the day with performances on the Gig Rig stage outside City Hall, while traditional music, dance and street performances spilled out across Belfast city centre.

    The eight-day festival runs until 9 August, with more than 200 events taking place across the city, including competitions, concerts, workshops and family activities.

  9. Double vision

    Mark Simpson
    BBC News NI

    One of the faces of the Fleadh, Caitlin, posed beside one of the many posters advertising the event.

    She says she has lost count of the number of messages she has received from friends who have spotted her.

    a blonde woman smiling next to a poster that features a picture of her playing the accordion

  10. 'The city comes alive at any time of day'

    Visitors from near and far have been filling Belfast's streets and soaking up the atmosphere. What do they make of Belfast and the Fleadh?

    a man in a tee shirt and jacket smiling at the camera. A restaurant's closed shutters and a sign reading Orá are visible behind him

    'It's fantastic - we're having such a good time,' says Jonas from Dresden

    Jonas from Dresden in Germany says he and his family will be back.

    “My dad used to be a trad musician back in the day and so I invited my parents to come here and check out the Fleadh for the week.

    "There’s so much going on. It’s really great.

    We got to walk about a lot and check out a whole bunch of different places. We also took a tour to the Giant’s Causeway. It’s been a fantastic experience so far. We’ll absolutely come back.”

    a man and woman looking at the camera. She is wearing a floral blouse, a rain jacket and sunglasses. He is wearing a pink polo shirt, a green jumper and a baseball cap.

    'Very positive vibes' and 'it's mighty'

    Des Cahill is from Cavan but lives in Dublin. He’s in Belfast for the day, specifically for the Fleadh.

    It’s his first visit to the city which he describes the city as “fantastic”.

    "People have been very friendly," he said. "It’s mighty.”

    His sister-in-law Carmel is from Mullingar.

    “The minute we arrived into the train station we were welcomed with open arms. Everybody was very friendly and we haven’t met anybody unfriendly.”

    She says: “Belfast is not to be missed. A great place to be. Very positive vibes”.

    “I’ll definitely be back next year."

    a blonde woman in a red twinset looking at the camera. A high street is visible behind her, with people walking past

    'I love the diversity, the vibrancy.'

    Renee Grandmitre from Ottawa Canada is travelling across Ireland and Scotland. She says Belfast has been on her “bucket list” because the Titanic left from here.

    “I wanted to experience the history of it all," she said.

    She’s excited to attend the Fleadh and loves Belfast.

    “I love the diversity, the vibrancy. There’s always something going on. It’s very different from Canada obviously.” She’d “absolutely” recommend the city to her friends and come back. “I’m still discovering it but I just love how warm the people are.

    "The city comes alive at any time of the day.”

  11. Friday Fleadh fringe events to look out for

    Three women in traditional Irish dancing dresses - jewel toned velvet with celtic embellishments. They are pictured dancing, mid leap in the air on a city street.Belfast City Council

    As the Fleadh continues into its sixth day, a wide range of activities will be showcased across the city

    As well as the main Fleadh stages in central Belfast, there are plenty of fringe events happening around the city today.

    Here are some events worth checking out if you're heading in to town:

    For starters:

    • Family Fun Day - Whiterock Library (10:00-16:00, free): balloon animals, face painting, games, crafts, stories and a visit from the Amazon Jungle Show
    • Play Make-Believe - 2 Royal Avenue (13:00 and 14:00, free): a chance for children to get involved in imaginative play
    • MOIRO (Music of Irish Origin) - 2 Royal Avenue (19:00-23:00): live music
    • North Blöck Night Market at Crumlin Road Gaol (19:00) and Templehouse Céilí Band at Belfast Castle (20:00), both in north Belfast
    • Fleadh flavoured Cabaret Evening at Shaftesbury Bowling Club (19:30)
    • Poetry Workshop with Stephen James Smith at Cregagh Library (14:00-16:00)

    There's plenty more to explore here.

  12. How have Belfast’s roads changed for the Fleadh?

    A red and yellow Belfast City Council sign outlining road closures in the city during the Fleadh.

    Road closures and diversions came into effect at 05:00 BST on Sunday

    The biggest change in town this week has been the creation of a large pedestrianised zone around Belfast city centre, helping people move safely between performances and events.

    More than 176,000 people recorded in the city centre for Sunday’s opening ceremony - a 95% increase on the same day last year and Belfast’s busiest day so far in 2026.

    Because of the strong turnout, organisers have extended the pedestrianised zone around City Hall until the Fleadh ends on Sunday.

    Many roads will remain closed to general traffic until 07:00 BST on Monday, with drivers being advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys.

    a map showing the location of road closures for the Fleadh, around and to the north of City Hall, reaching as far north as Ulster University, as far west as CastleCourt and as far east as the Albert Clock

  13. What is the Fleadh anyway?

    First things first.

    It's an annual arts festival and competition.

    Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann means the festival of the music of Ireland, and it is run by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE) - the society of the musicians of Ireland.

    The organisation was founded in 1951 by traditional musicians and Gaelic culture advocates from across Ireland who wanted to enhance traditional music, dance and language on the island.

    Each year numerous fleadhanna (festivals) are hosted across Ireland, 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, which draws thousands of people.

    It's been held in Mullingar, Athlone, Sligo, Drogheda, Ennis, Dublin and Derry among others - but never before this year had it been held in Belfast.

  14. Welcome to the first day of competitions at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

    Three girls are pictured on a stage with a seated band behind them. The three are dressed in matching green and gold irish dancing dresses.Pacemaker

    Irish dancers from the Reilly School of Dancing Belfast performed at Belfast City Hall on Sunday

    If you've been in Belfast over the last few days, you will have noticed it's a very different city from usual.

    People are meandering down closed roads, pubs have benches outside in the sunshine, and the sounds of Irish traditional music waft out from every corner, bench and stage.

    The sixth day of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is now under way, meaning that at the Gig Rig at Belfast City Hall, the first competitions are about to begin.

    Over the next three days, competitors from across Ireland and around the world will hope to earn county and provincial honours in the biggest celebration of Irish traditional music, song and dance.

    More than 180 competitions are taking place across the city, with everything from traditional instrumental performances and singing to céilí dancing on display.

    BBC NI's reporters are speaking to competitors, visitors and organisers as Belfast continues to buzz with music and activity.

    If you’re looking for everything you need to know about Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, you can click here for our guide.