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Date: 6 August 2026
Hundreds of aspiring young musicians and learners have been gathering at Ulster University this week for world-class traditional Irish music song, dance and language tuition.
Scoil Éigse is the international summer school for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann -serving as the primary home for traditional music tuition during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
Located in the university’s York Street campus and led by top traditional musicians, it has been the hub for traditional music classes, master classes, youth sessions and preparation ahead of All-Ireland competitions beginning tomorrow and continuing until Sunday.
Master instructors have been giving intensive tuition across instruments like the fiddle, flute, banjo, harp, concertina, button accordion and uilleann pipes.
As well as daily recitals, a Grand Finale took place today with students and their tutors gathering nearby on the steps of Belfast Cathedral for Seisiún Mór na hÉigse, a massive collaborative performance filling the city with traditional music.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, and Taoiseach Micheál Martin were among those who gathered to watch the special performance and meet with students and tutors afterwards.
For more on what’s on during the Fleadh, follow Fleadh Cheoil on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok or visit the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann website.