Where a Ring of Steel Once Stood, Belfast Unites at the Fleadh Cheoil

A weeklong celebration of Irish music and culture is bringing an expected 800,000 people to Northern Ireland’s capital. It’s a sign of how far the city has come decades after a bloody sectarian conflict.

‘Where a lot of the events are taking place, there’s rough sleepers who call the streets their home’

There has been participation by loyalist musicians as well as those from minority ethnic communities alongside the traditional Irish entertainment.

As musical director of ArtsEkta’s acclaimed Connections at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, the award-winning composer will bring together musicians from across cultures, traditions and genres

The Northern Ireland capital is hosting the world’s largest celebration of Irish music and culture for the first time this week.