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Taoiseach Michael Martin holding a baby at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2026, in Belfast. Mark Marlow/PA Wire
THE JIGS AND THE REELS
Taoiseach and President soak up the vibes at Belfast's first Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
There has been participation by loyalist musicians as well as those from minority ethnic communities alongside the traditional Irish entertainment.
LAST UPDATE | 6 Aug
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has hailed cross-community participation in the first Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to take place in Belfast.
Martin greeted some of those in the crowds gathered in the area around St Anne’s Cathedral on the fifth day of the event, which has brought a 95% surge in footfall to Belfast.
There has been participation by loyalist musicians as well as those from minority ethnic communities alongside the traditional Irish entertainment.
Speaking to reporters, the Taoiseach hailed the work and detailed planning by organisers to bring the event to Belfast, and the “wonderful music and culture on display in the city”.
“I think this idea of the universality of music and celebrating the diversity of music is a wonderful one,” he said.
“I think one loyalist musician put it to me last year that communities will refine their music in accordance to their traditions, but all are drawing from the same well, and I thought that was a wonderful summation of what we’re about here in Belfast through the Fleadh.”
Martin said many people he had met are saying the scenes this week “reflect the change (in Belfast) that has occurred over the decades”.
Martin said many people he had met are saying the scenes this week “reflect the change (in Belfast) that has occurred over the decades”.
Meanwhile, President Catherine Connolly has been pictured enjoying the Fleadh on a city bike.
Speaking on Sunday, Connolly said the Fleadh brings together “musicians and dancers from different traditions”.
“What lies ahead is the celebration of what we all have in common, and the universality of music, sound and dance,” she said.
“And it’s that universality and that sharing that we celebrate over the coming week.”
Connolly was spotted enjoying the Fleadh on Monday and was again pictured on Wednesday, this time using a Belfast Bike to get around.
Belfast mural artist and illustrator Danni Simpson was among those to meet Connolly on Wednesday.
Simpson showed Connolly her hand-painted map of Ireland.
Simpson said the Fleadh “has been amazing” and that Belfast has “come to life”.
“It’s not every day you get to show your artwork to a President,” she added in an Instagram post, which also featured videos of Connolly cycling up and down Commercial Court, a popular cobbled alley in Belfast.
The Fleadh has seen a 95% footfall increase in Belfast and some pubs were forced to put up “full house” signs yesterday given the crowds.
The celebration of Irish music and culture will run until Sunday, with more than 200 events and 180 traditional music competitions at venues, pubs and streets.
There were an estimated 176,000 visitors to the city centre on Sunday and 165,000 on Monday, with the previous prediction of 800,000 visitors now expected to be exceeded.
Footfall on Sunday was up 95% on the same day last year.
On Monday, footfall figures showed an increase of 75% on the same day last year, with a 126% increase on last week’s footfall figures.
This year is the first time the annual music festival has been held in Belfast and only the second time it has been held in the North, after being hosted in Derry in 2013.
The 2026 event has been billed as one of the most culturally diverse in its history, with cross-community participation and a celebration of traditions from across the North and beyond.
With additional reporting from PA.
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