Fleadh Cheoil Belfast 2026 Ends with Winning Céilí Band at City Hall

Fleadh Cheoil Belfast 2026 came to a close at Belfast City Hall on Sunday night. Lissadell Céilí Band, winners of the Senior Céilí Band competition, delivered the final Gig Rig performance. Organisers expect final attendance figures to exceed one million, while the Fleadh will return to Belfast from 1–8 August 2027.

Fleadh Cheoil Belfast 2026 has drawn to a close after eight days of traditional music, dancing, competitions and cultural events across the city.

The festival ended outside Belfast City Hall on Sunday evening, 9 August, with a performance from Lissadell Céilí Band, winners of the 2026 Senior Céilí Band competition.

The Senior Céilí Band competition was held at Belfast Waterfront Hall on the final day of the festival. View the official Fleadh competition information.

Lissadell Céilí Band Close Fleadh Cheoil Belfast 2026

Members of the winning Lissadell Céilí Band hail from Sligo, Mayo, Cavan, Westmeath and Tipperary.

Their performance on the Gig Rig brought eight days of music, colour, culture and friendship to an official close in front of crowds gathered at Belfast City Hall.

The City Hall Gig Rig served as the Fleadh’s main free outdoor stage throughout the festival. View the official Gig Rig programme.

You can also read our earlier guide to the final day of Fleadh Cheoil Belfast 2026.

Music and Culture Take Centre Stage at City Hall

Several performances took place before the newly crowned Senior Céilí Band champions took to the stage.

Campbell College Bugles, Pipes and Drums performed during the programme, followed by Each Time the Song is Sung, a multicultural showcase from host branch Ards CCÉ.

The closing celebrations also included performances from:

• Zoë Conway
• John McIntyre
• Louise Mulcahy
• Michelle Mulcahy
• Edwina Guckian

The Gig Rig was one of the focal points of the week, offering free live music against the backdrop of Belfast City Hall.

Visitors can find more information about the festival on the official Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann website.

Festival Leaders Mark the End of Historic Belfast Fleadh

The closing evening also included speeches from representatives involved in organising and delivering the festival.

They included:

• Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly
• Attracta Ní Bhrádaigh, Uachtarán of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
• Dr Labhrás Ó Murchú, Ardstiúrthóir of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
• Niall McClean of Ards CCÉ
• John Walsh, Chief Executive of Belfast City Council and Co-chair of the Fleadh Executive Committee

The speeches marked the end of a historic first Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast.

Fleadh Attendance Expected to Pass One Million

The scale of Fleadh Cheoil Belfast 2026 became clear throughout the week as huge numbers of visitors travelled into the city.

Organisers said final footfall figures were expected to exceed one million, which would make Belfast 2026 the best-attended Fleadh to date.

Earlier in the festival, Belfast had already recorded exceptionally high visitor numbers as crowds filled the city centre for competitions, performances and cultural events.

For more Belfast coverage, visit the Northern Ireland Online Belfast local guide.

You can also read our coverage from before the festival opened: Fleadh Cheoil Belfast 2026 set to open with free City Hall celebration.

Fleadh Cheoil Returns to Belfast in August 2027

The end of the 2026 Fleadh does not mark the end of Belfast’s involvement with the festival.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will return to Belfast from Sunday 1 August until Sunday 8 August 2027.

Belfast City Council will again host the festival alongside Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Ards CCÉ.

The return was confirmed earlier this year following a meeting of the Ardchomhairle of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

Read Belfast City Council’s announcement about the 2027 Fleadh.

Further information is also available from the official Fleadh Cheoil 2027 announcement.

Eight Days Belfast Will Remember

From packed competitions and outdoor concerts to street sessions and cultural performances, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann transformed Belfast city centre during its first year in the city.

Thousands of musicians, dancers, competitors, families and visitors took part during the eight-day festival.

Attention will now turn towards the final attendance figures and preparations for another week of music and culture when the Fleadh returns in August 2027.

You can view the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 event listing on Northern Ireland Online or discover more local information through our Belfast guide.

Were you at the Fleadh in Belfast this year? Tell us your favourite performance, event or memory from the week.