The King and Queen Enjoy Preview of Belfast’s First Ever Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

His Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited Belfast’s Titanic Quarter today for a special preview of this summer’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The eight-day festival, taking place from 2–9 August, is expected to attract more than 800,000 visitors to Belfast for a major celebration of Irish music, dance and culture.

Belfast Welcomes Royal Visit Ahead of Historic Fleadh Cheoil

Belfast received a royal seal of approval today as Their Majesties The King and Queen visited the city ahead of this summer’s highly anticipated Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

The visit took place at the Pumphouse in the Titanic Quarter, where Belfast City Council and organisers showcased a taste of the music, culture and atmosphere expected during the major festival in August.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the world’s largest celebration of Irish music and culture, will be hosted in Belfast for the very first time from 2–9 August 2026.

The event is expected to attract more than 800,000 visitors to the city across the eight-day programme.

Traditional Irish Music and Dance on Display

The King and Queen were welcomed to a specially created mini “Fleadh village” by members of Ards CCÉ and the Belfast Bands Forum, who performed a lively rendition of “I’ll Tell Me Ma” beneath Belfast’s iconic Harland and Wolff cranes.

The royal couple also enjoyed performances celebrating Belfast’s growing cultural diversity, including Polish and Ukrainian dancers, alongside Kurdish, Mexican and African musicians performing with traditional instruments.

At the musicians’ corner, Their Majesties met 14-year-old Seamus McClean, a multiple All-Ireland champion on the uilleann pipes, as well as local Comhaltas performers demonstrating traditional instruments including:

• Uilleann pipes
• Bodhrán
• Tin whistle
• Fiddle

Irish dancers from the Reilly School of Irish Dancing also performed traditional jigs and reels during the event.

Belfast Preparing for Huge Summer Festival

The King and Queen also viewed the ceremonial Fleadh harp, which is passed between host cities and will remain in Belfast ahead of the city hosting the event again in August 2027.

Speaking during the visit, Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Tracy Kelly said:

“What an honour for Belfast to host The King and Queen today and give them a real sense of what’s in store for visitors to our city.

“Hosting Fleadh Cheoil is an opportunity to celebrate together and put on the very best of Belfast, in all its shared traditions, so everyone can feel part of it.

“Today’s visit shows the colour, vibrancy, music and craic on offer this August.”

The festival is expected to deliver a major economic and tourism boost for Belfast, with thousands of visitors travelling from across Ireland and overseas.

What is Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann?

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is Ireland’s largest traditional music festival, organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

The annual event celebrates:

• Traditional Irish music
• Singing
• Dance
• Language
• Culture
• Community heritage

This year marks the first time Belfast has hosted the internationally recognised festival.

For more information about the event, visit Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Belfast.