Belfast Welcomed Over One Million Visitors As Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann 2026 Culminates In Week Of Music, Song And Dance
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 has drawn to a close in Belfast following an extraordinary week of traditional Irish music, song and dance, with more than one million people visiting the city over the duration of the Fleadh.
More than 5,000 competitors from 25 countries travelled to Belfast to compete for coveted All-Ireland titles across music, dancing and sean nós singing, bringing together some of the finest emerging and established traditional performers from Ireland and around the world.
Hosted in Belfast for the first time by Belfast City Council, in partnership with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) and Ards CCÉ, the Fleadh saw the city transformed into a vibrant celebration of Irish culture, with competitions, concerts, céilithe, sessions, workshops and events taking place across the city.
At the core of the Fleadh are the All-Ireland competitions, where musicians, singers and dancers of all ages compete at the highest level following success at regional competitions. The standard of performance throughout this year’s competitions was exceptionally high, with competitors travelling from across Ireland and internationally to take part.
Rio Navarro of CCÉ, Killoran-Clancy-Whelan, California, US. 1st Place All Ireland Winner of the Cathal Flynn Memorial Trophy for Piano Accordion (15-18 years) at the 2026 Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Belfast.
Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, Lord Mayor of Belfast said, “A leithéid de sheachtain nach raibh feicthe ariamh i mBéal Feirste. Ceol, craic is draíocht san aer ar fud fad na seachtaine is trasna na cathrach ar fad.”
“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. Our spirit, our craic and our shared love of music, from all our different communities, have all been embraced and displayed for everyone to enjoy.”
“Tháinig na sluaite isteach go lár a’ bhaile lenár gceol is ár gcultúr a roinnt le chéile agus bhí sé galánta An Ghaeilge a fheiceáil chomh flúirseach sin is le cloisteáil gach áit.”
She concluded, “When I opened Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann last Sunday, I described it as a full circle moment for our city. But it’s also been a watershed moment – a sign of our city’s strength, ambition and future potential. Fleadh 2026 has surpassed all of our expectations. Go raibh céad míle maith agaibh to everyone for their support, participation and generosity of spirit – you have all done Belfast proud.”
Dr Labhrás Ó’Murchú, Ardstiúrthóir, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, said, “Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann has grown from its beginnings in 1951 into a festival of world proportions, and Belfast has demonstrated once again why traditional Irish music, song and dance have such a powerful international appeal. The presence of over 5,000 competitors from 25 countries is testament to the strength, diversity and continuing growth of our traditions.”
He continued, “We congratulate Belfast City Council, Ards CCÉ, the many volunteers and all our partners on an outstanding Fleadh. The welcome from the city has been exceptional and the level of participation and attendance has exceeded expectations. We are delighted to confirm that Belfast has been selected to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann again from 1st to 8th August 2027. We look forward to returning and building on the success of this year’s Fleadh, continuing to bring our traditions to new audiences at home and around the world.”
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the world’s biggest celebration of traditional Irish music, song and dance and provides a unique cultural meeting place for performers, competitors, families and visitors from Ireland and across the globe.
Belfast’s selection to host the Fleadh for a second consecutive year was announced by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, following the success of the city’s bid to host the 2027 event. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2027 will take place in Belfast from 1st to 8th August 2027.
For all the results and further information on Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, visit www.fleadhcheoil.ie.
Belfast City Council Press Office, Kathryn Byrne, Limelight Communications
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