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The Duncairn is delighted to be delivering a Citywide Fringe Programme as part of Fleadh Cheoil 2026. With music, poetry, theatre, film, visual arts & family fun events across North, East, South and West Belfast, we’re bringing the magic of the Fleadh to all parts of the city, with a Duncairn flavour!
The Fringe programme will run from July 17th - August 23rd, and over 50 fringe events are planned for north, south, east and west Belfast to animate spaces and engage with communities before, during and after the Fleadh. Collaborating with more than 300 artists and 60 organisations, neighbourhood-based fringe activities will deliver a programme of music, poetry, drama, visual arts and community events. |
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Belfast will host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann for the first time from 2nd – 9th August 2026. The Fleadh is the world’s largest annual celebration of Irish traditional music, language, song, and dance, it involves a series of schools, competitions, awards and special concerts throughout the week. This historic occasion presents a unique opportunity to showcase Belfast’s rich cultural vibrancy and diversity of traditions. The Fringe Programme will complement the Comhaltas core programme of competitions, concerts and the Scoil Éigse, animating the city with multi-artform inclusive, creative, and celebratory events showcasing all forms of traditional culture across our city. |
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| | FLEADH FRINGE Warm Up WeekendJuly 17th - 19th |
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| | KATHLEEN Mc INNES, MIKE VASS & MAIREARAD GREEN An Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich FRI 17 JULY
Kathleen MacInnes, Mairéad Green and Mike Vass come together for a rich evening of Gaelic song, folk music and collaboration in the heart of West Belfast. Rooted in Hebridean and Irish tradition, these three outstanding artists bring warmth, musicianship and powerful live performance to one of Belfast's most important cultural spaces.
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JOHN SPILLANE & LORRAINE NASH The Duncairn SAT 18 JULY
You know him and you love him, our favourite dreamer is returning to the Duncairn once again for a special Summer show. The Cork-native bard always sells out fast - get your tickets before it’s too late!
Joined by the wonderful Lorraine Nash, whose songwriting is a blend of trad, folk and blues traditions. Drawing on a background of traditional singing, the multi-instrumentalist incorporates the traditional lilt into her captivating live show. |
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| GHOST VOLTAGE Accidental Theatre SUN 19 JULY
Ghost Voltage brings together writer and performer Peter Murphy (Cursed Murphy), composer Colm Mac Con Iomaire (The Frames) and brother-duo Basciville for a powerful live audio-visual performance blending memoir, folklore, spoken word and haunting music. Accompanied by Mirona Mara's striking imagery, this rare Belfast performance promises a deeply atmospheric and unforgettable experience.
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The Fleadh fringe encourages locals and visitors to explore parts of the city they are less familiar with. There are many free events and all concert tickets are capped at £8 to ensure accessibility and encourage exploring the city!
Highlights include The Waterworks Stations sessions - a series of performances animating the Waterworks with pop-up music, storytelling and poetry stations around the lake, inspired by the park’s dramatic Cave Hill backdrop. Community events will take place in regenerated alleyways across south Belfast, inviting you to enjoy time together with céilís and community meals. Anaka Women’s Collective will host a family fun day and there will be family friendly Céilí at The Commons.
In the east of the city, storyteller and Happy Out Coffee co-founder, Alex Campbell will celebrate Irish oral traditions with tales of ancient heroes over coffee, while Colin Glen Forest Park will be the venue for a guided folklore walk to discover the hidden stories behind the city’s native trees and plants. |
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| | | | | THE NEW GENERATION – Gradam Ceoil Bursary Concert Ulster Museum WED 5 AUGUST, 2.30pm
Celebrating five successful years of The Duncairn Gradam Ceoil TG4 Traditional Music Bursary Awards with a special concert showcasing some of Belfast’s finest emerging traditional musicians and hosted by Stephen James Smith.
Supported by Belfast City Council and TG4, this exciting Fleadh event celebrates the next generation of artists helping shape Belfast’s growing reputation as a UNESCO City of Music. |
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| | | FLEADH FRINGE @ BANANA BLOCK WED 5 AUGUST, 7.30PM
Fleadh Fringe in the East is an evening curated by Joshua Burnside featuring the music of Córas Trio, Julie O’Sullivan, Rachel Sermanni and more special guests in Banana Block, an events space set within a historic linen mill in the heart of East Belfast. |
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| | RIOGHNACH CONNOLLY, ELLIS DAVIES & ZOE BASHA The Commons THURS 6 AUGUST
*Note: this is an alcohol-free venue* A very special double-header concert featuring Ríoghnach Connolly & Ellis Davies alongside Zoé Basha. Bringing together folk, traditional and roots influences from across Ireland and beyond, this promises an evening of powerful songs in the unique and intimate surroundings of The Commons, a unique new performance space currently emerging on Belfast’s Ormeau Road. |
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| | | DUNCAIRN CABARET feat EOGHAN Ó CHEANNABHÁIN & NIAMH KEADY-TABBAL Shaftsbury Bowling Club FRI 7 AUGUST
Enjoy a Fleadh-flavoured cabaret featuring music and poetry at Shaftesbury Bowling Club in South Belfast. With 3 acts performing across the night, expect lively performances, a warm atmosphere and a celebration of words, song and community spirit. |
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| | | ALFI & PATRICK NI HOOLIHAN Casement Social Club @ St Agnes’ SAT 8 AUGUST
A brilliant evening of traditional folk music and song with Alfi and Patrick Ní Hoolihan in the welcoming surroundings of Casement Social Club, St Agnes’, Andersonstown. Rooted in strong musical tradition and local spirit, this special Fleadh Fringe event promises great tunes, good company and plenty of atmosphere. |
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| | SUPER SUNDAY SESSIONS: ALL ACROSS THE CITY!
FREE ENTRY (NO TICKET REQUIRED) |
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SUPER SUNDAY EAST THE SKAINOS CENTRE SUN 19 JULY, 12-2.30pm
SUPER SUNDAY SOUTH THE COMMONS
SUN 2 AUGUST, 10.30-1pm
SUPER SUNDAY WEST ST COLMGALL’S
SUN 9 AUGUST, 10.30-1pm
SUPER SUNDAY NORTH
ABC HUB ARDOYNE
SUN 23 AUGUST, 10.30-1pm |
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| Our most loved event by the community is traveling to new centres and commmunities. Everyone is invited to come along for free arts & crafts workshops for kids, live music and classic record club with DJ Paddy. Admission is free, open to all ages and people from all backgrounds. |
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| | VOLUNTEERING FOR THE FLEADH FRINGE |
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| | We are programming a range of events, across different art-forms and musical genres, in both traditional and non-traditional venues, including Community centres, bowling clubs, churches and other historical buildings. The first ever Fleadh Fringe needs volunteers to act as the heartbeat of the festival for concerts, pop-up gigs, and community events! We are looking for volunteers to engage during the fleadh - 2-9th August and from 21st-23rd August - please fill out the form if interested!
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