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Date: 19 May 2026
Their Majesties The King and Queen were in Belfast today for a preview of the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which will be hosted in the city for the first time from 2-9 August.
The King and Queen visited the Pumphouse in the city’s Titanic Quarter to enjoy a flavour of what Belfast has planned across the eight-day event, which is expected to attract over 800,000 people.
They met with representatives from Belfast City Council, led by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly and Chief Executive John Walsh, as well as players from Ards CCÉ, who are partnering with the council to host the festival.
Kicking off with a rendition of ‘I’ll Tell Me Ma’ were Ards CCÉ and members of the Belfast Bands Forum who welcomed The King and Queen to a mini ‘Fleadh village’ against the backdrop of the city’s world-famous Harland and Wolff cranes.
Polish and Ukrainian dancers added colour and vibrancy, while performances from Kurdish, Mexican and African musicians, using traditional instruments, showcased the city’s rich diversity, a cornerstone of Belfast’s Fleadh Cheoil programme.
At the Fleadh ‘musicians’ corner’, The King and Queen met with 14-year-old Seamus McClean, a multiple All-Ireland champion on the uilleann pipes, and enjoyed a demonstration of other traditional Irish instruments from local Comhaltas members, including the bodhrán, tin whistle and fiddle.
Irish dancers from the Reilly School of Irish Dancing performed a short jig and reel, before Their Majesties viewed the Fleadh harp – a ceremonial gift passed between Fleadh host cities and which will remain in Belfast when the city hosts the festival for the second time next August 2027.
“What a 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,” said Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly.
“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. I’m delighted to have given The King and Queen a taste of that today.”
For more information about Fleadh Cheoil in Belfast from 2-9 August, visit fleadhcheoil.ie