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Fleadh

Fleadh On The Barge

We are excited to share with you our jam-packed programme for the Fleadh on board this August. We will be open from 10am – Midnight every day with a full array of entertainment throughout the Barge.

Most of our events are completely FREE to attend. We have tickets for the free events. But these are only to give us an idea of advance numbers. You can also show up without a ticket.

Below is our programme

SATURDAY 1ST AUG

Belfast Traditional Music Trail Pre-Fleadh Special

14:00 - 16:00 (Upper Deck)

Experience traditional music in a unique way and discover what to expect next week as Belfast prepares to host the world’s biggest celebration of Irish Traditional Music. In the company of two local, professional musicians who have been on the scene for years, learn all about how a session works, what tunes are played and what makes traditional music so unique, all delivered through live music, dance and personal stories.

£20 per person pre-sale // £25 on the door

SUNDAY 2ND AUG

The Old Courthouse Session Band: Tunes and Songs of County Down

6:00pm – 9pm (Upper Deck)

Featuring Nigel Boullier (Fiddle), Dianna Skillen (Fiddle) , David Lennon (Mandolin , Guitar and Vocals ) and Marcus McAuley (Bouzouki) .

Nigel and Dianna are two of the most respected County Down musicians. David is an all-Ireland finalist (Singing in English) , all Ireland medalist (Song) , song collector (life and times of Hugh McWilliams Bard of Ballysallagh) and has rolled out his Folk on a Boat performance for the Openhouse Festival for the last ten years to considerable critical acclaim , Marcus is a multi- instrumentalist who also plays with local bands Celtic Soul and The Boondocks.

FREE ENTRY

MONDAY 3RD AUGUST

Belfast Traditional Music Trail: Traditional Singing Tree

10:30 - 12:00 (Upper Deck)

Learn about the different types of traditional singing and their place in Irish traditional sessions. Share a song and learn a new one!

£10 per person

AWAY-WITH

Catharine Kingcome: 'Away with the Fairies'

2:00pm – 4pm (Event Space)

Learn about the different types of traditional singing and their place in Irish traditional sessions. Share a song and learn a new one!

FREE ENTRY

Two Pipers, Two Story Tellers // Beirt phíobairí, beirt scéalaithe

5pm – 7pm (Event Space)

Traditional stories with added uilleann pipe music and song

FREE ENTRY

SESSIONS

Sessions On The Barge

7pm - 10pm (Upper Deck)

Lively, laid back sessions, featuring seasoned and talented players from across Northern Ireland, including Laura Henderson, Paul Taylor, Andy McGregor and David Armstrong.

Expect upbeat tunes, warm vibes and a welcoming atmosphere, The Barge is the perfect venue to enjoy traditional music.

FREE ENTRY

TUESDAY 4TH AUGUST

SESSIONS

Sessions On The Barge

10am - 12pm (Upper Deck)

Lively, laid back sessions, featuring seasoned and talented players from across Northern Ireland, including Laura Henderson, Paul Taylor, Andy McGregor and David Armstrong.

Expect upbeat tunes, warm vibes and a welcoming atmosphere, The Barge is the perfect venue to enjoy traditional music.

FREE ENTRY

Belfast Traditional Music Trail: Traditional Music Session

12:00 - 14:00 (Upper Deck)

Lively, laid back sessions, featuring seasoned and talented players from across Northern Ireland, including Laura Henderson, Paul Taylor, Andy McGregor and David Armstrong.

Expect upbeat tunes, warm vibes and a welcoming atmosphere, The Barge is the perfect venue to enjoy traditional music.

FREE ENTRY

Seoid: Album Launch

14:00 – 17:00 (Event Space)

Seoid are a vibrant Irish traditional music band featuring multi-instrumentalists Kerrie Herrity, Kenny Donagher, John Dwyer, and Fiachra Guihen. Rooted in the Sligo, Roscommon, and Leitrim flute and fiddle traditions, they blend classic tunes with newly composed instrumental music

FREE ENTRY

Belfast Traditional Music Trail: Trail On The Water

2pm - 4pm (Upper Deck)

To celebrate the All-Ireland Fleadh coming to Belfast for the first time, the city’s only traditional music walking tour takes to the water! Experience traditional music in a unique way in the intimate company of two local, professional musicians and a dancer who will give you a ‘crash course’ in traditional music, all delivered through live music and stories. Enjoy a beverage and a view of the Lagan while learning all about the instruments, tunes and personal stories that make up our vibrant living tradition.

£20 per person pre-sale // £25 on the door

SESSIONS

Sessions On The Barge

7pm - 10pm (Upper Deck)

Lively, laid back sessions, featuring seasoned and talented players from across Northern Ireland, including Laura Henderson, Paul Taylor, Andy McGregor and David Armstrong.

Expect upbeat tunes, warm vibes and a welcoming atmosphere, The Barge is the perfect venue to enjoy traditional music.

FREE ENTRY

WEDNESDAY 5TH AUGUST

Cinemagic Film Screening: The Secret Of Kells

10:30am – 12:00pm (Event Space)

The Secret of Kells is a 2009 animated Fantasy drama film the making of the Book Of Kells.

Young Brendan lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from the isle of Iona carrying an ancient but unfinished

book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. To help complete the magical book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest that takes him into the enchanted forest where mythical creatures hide.

FREE ENTRY

Cinemagic Film Screening: Song Of The Sea

1:00pm – 3:00pm (Event Space)

Song of the Sea (Amhrán na Mara) is a 2014 animated fantasy film directed by Tomm Moore and written by Will Collins.

Song of the Sea tells the story of Ben and his little sister Saoirse – the last Seal- child – who embark on a fantastic journey across a fading world of ancient legend and magic in an attempt to return to their home by the sea. The film takes inspiration from the mythological Selkies of Irish folklore, who live as seals in the sea but become humans on land.

Song of the Sea, directed by Tomm Moore (The Secret of Kells) features the voices of Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, David Rawle, Lisa Hannigan, Pat Shortt and Jon Kenny. Music is by composer Bruno Coulais and Irish band Kíla

FREE ENTRY

Cinemagic Film Screening: Wolfwalkers

3:00pm – 5:00pm (Event Space)

Wolfwalkers is an Oscar Nominated and multi award winning 2020 animated film.

A young apprentice hunter and her father journey to Ireland to help wipe out the last wolf pack. But everything changes when she befriends a free-spirited girl from a mysterious tribe rumored to transform into wolves by night.

FREE ENTRY

Belfast Traditional Music Trail: Traditional Music Session

12:00pm - 14:00pm (Upper Deck)

Enjoy some toe-tapping live traditional music on Belfast’s only floating Session House! Musicians welcome.

FREE ENTRY

Sean Kelly & Super 8’s

6:00pm - 10.00pm (Event Space)

Beautiful visuals as featured on BBC’s “Super 8 Stories”, accompanied by live music and storytelling by Sean Kelly

Sean Kelly & The Super 8’s is an audio/visual experience like no other. Sean plays live Irish music to the back-drop of Super 8 movies taken in and around Derry & Donegal between 1958 & 1988. All movies were shot by Seans’ Dad, Seamus Kelly, a renowned Derry Super 8 enthusiast and featured on a series of shows on BBC NI called “Super 8 stories”.

The music is traditional, contemporary and original with Sean writing songs and tunes for half of the show that matches what’s on the screen, the other half of the songs being curated from his time as an Irish musician in Aotearoa (New Zealand).

To add to the mix of music and video is the 3 rd dimension of this show, the storytelling. Sean tells intimate stories of life, growing up in the North-West of Ireland in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s from the Long Tower Boys primary school, overlooking The Bogside to the sanctuary of Donegal and particularly The Rosguill Peninsula, his Mum’s birth-place. Prepare to laugh and cry but most of all to be entertained by this original concept of a show at Belfast Fleadh City Centre Fringe Festival, 2026.

FREE ENTRY

SESSIONS

Sessions On The Barge

7pm - 10pm (Upper Deck)

Lively, laid back sessions, featuring seasoned and talented players from across Northern Ireland, including Laura Henderson, Paul Taylor, Andy McGregor and David Armstrong.

Expect upbeat tunes, warm vibes and a welcoming atmosphere, The Barge is the perfect venue to enjoy traditional music.

FREE ENTRY

THURSDAY 6TH AUGUST

Belfast Traditional Music Trail: Craft and Ceili

10:30 am - 12:00 (Upper Deck)

Bring your dancing shoes and your crafting hands for a fun morning of dance, music and art all led by our dancer and musicians and take a souvenir of your first ever ceili home with you!

Suitable for ages 2-102! All children must be accompanied by a parent.

£10 per child, adults come free! Booking advised

Introduction To Irish Language

1pm - 3pm (Event Space)

Cormac ‘Buzz’ Ó Briain is an Irish language teacher, musician, and broadcaster based in Belfast. Through his platform, Na Gaeil A Buzz, he provides practical, everyday Irish classes.

FREE ENTRY

The Old Courthouse Session Band: Tunes and Songs of County Down

4:00pm – 6:00pm (Upper Deck)

Featuring Nigel Boullier (Fiddle), Dianna Skillen (Fiddle) , David Lennon (Mandolin , Guitar and Vocals ) and Marcus McAuley (Bouzouki) .

Nigel and Dianna are two of the most respected County Down musicians. David is an all-Ireland finalist (Singing in English) , all Ireland medalist (Song) , song collector (life and times of Hugh McWilliams Bard of Ballysallagh) and has rolled out his Folk on a Boat performance for the Openhouse Festival for the last ten years to considerable critical acclaim , Marcus is a multi- instrumentalist who also plays with local bands Celtic Soul and The Boondocks

FREE ENTRY

SESSIONS

Sessions On The Barge

7pm - 10pm (Upper Deck)

Lively, laid back sessions, featuring seasoned and talented players from across Northern Ireland, including Laura Henderson, Paul Taylor, Andy McGregor and David Armstrong.

Expect upbeat tunes, warm vibes and a welcoming atmosphere, The Barge is the perfect venue to enjoy traditional music.

FREE ENTRY

FRIDAY 7TH AUGUST

SESSIONS

Sessions On The Barge

10am - 12pm (Upper Deck)

Lively, laid back sessions, featuring seasoned and talented players from across Northern Ireland, including Laura Henderson, Paul Taylor, Andy McGregor and David Armstrong.

Expect upbeat tunes, warm vibes and a welcoming atmosphere, The Barge is the perfect venue to enjoy traditional music.

FREE ENTRY

GLEN

Glengormley School Of Music

12:00am - 2:00pm (Event Space)

Glengormley School of Traditional Music, in association with MayWe and Belfast City Council, are delighted to announce a series of daily children’s and family-friendly traditional music sessions Led by local children and young people, and supervised by experienced musicians and staff from Glengormley School of Traditional Music, each session runs for 2 hours:
● First hour — suitable for beginners and lower intermediate players
● Second hour — suitable for more confident players
Beginners — bring your notes!
Musicians — bring your repertoire!

FREE ENTRY

Belfast Traditional Music Trail: Trail On The Water

14:00 - 16:00 (Upper Deck)

To celebrate the All-Ireland Fleadh coming to Belfast for the first time, the city’s only traditional music walking tour takes to the water! Experience traditional music in a unique way in the intimate company of two local, professional musicians and a dancer who will give you a ‘crash course’ in traditional music, all delivered through live music and stories. Enjoy a beverage and a view of the Lagan while learning all about the instruments, tunes and personal stories that make up our vibrant living tradition.

£20 per person pre-sale // £23 on the Door

Step With Annette: Solo Percussive Irish Dance Workshop

6:30pm - 8pm (Event Space)

Join “Step with Annette” for this mixed level workshop; aimed at those who are curious about Old Style percussive dance, as well as those with some experience. Wear a hard soled shoe if possible, sneakers are not advisable. For More Info: http://www.annettecollins.com

FREE ENTRY

New Contempory Songwriters Showcase

Featuring: The Night Hearts / Mark Hegan / Foreign Mornings

8pm – 11:30pm (Upper Deck)

The Belfast Barge presents an evening of contemporary new Northern Irish songwriters and artists. New artists inspired by the great Irish/Northern Irish songwriters that came before them. Expect a night of deep heartfelt lyrics all the way through to joyous uplifting choruses of hope.

 

FREE ENTRY

SATURDAY 8TH AUGUST

LIAM-F

Liam F Jones

12:00pm - 2:30pm (Upper Deck)

Liam F Jones is a traditional musician from Clare who has spent a lifetime absorbing the sounds and rhythms of his native county. With eight Senior All Ireland Fleadh titles in Lilting and Whistling, his credentials as a master of the tradition are well established, but in his debut solo album he recontextualises these arts for this era. Every traditional musician is a lilter at heart, using the voice to breathe life into a tune, whether to assemble a selection or just for the joy of the melody.

 

FREE ENTRY

Belfast Traditional Music Trail: Trail On The Water

19:00 - 21:00 (Upper Deck)

To celebrate the All-Ireland Fleadh coming to Belfast for the first time, the city’s only traditional music walking tour takes to the water! Experience traditional music in a unique way in the intimate company of two local, professional musicians and a dancer who will give you a ‘crash course’ in traditional music,

all delivered through live music and stories. Enjoy a beverage and a view of the Lagan while learning all about the instruments, tunes and personal stories that make up our vibrant living tradition.

£20 per person for pop-up only / £25 for Pop-up + Showcase

Belfast Traditional Music Trail Special Showcase

22:00 - 00:00 (Upper Deck & Event Space)

A unique showcase of some of Belfast Traditional Music Trail best musician- guides and dancers in action for a full hour of live music and dance.

£15 per person for showcase only / £25 for Pop-up + Showcase

SUNDAY 9TH AUGUST

Belfast Traditional Music Trail: Trail On The Water

15:00 - 17:00 (Upper Deck)

To celebrate the All-Ireland Fleadh coming to Belfast for the first time, the city’s only traditional music walking tour takes to the water! Experience traditional music in a unique way in the intimate company of two local, professional musicians and a dancer who will give you a ‘crash course’ in traditional music, all delivered through live music and stories. Enjoy a beverage and a view of the Lagan while learning all about the instruments, tunes and personal stories that make up our vibrant living tradition.

£20 Advance // £25 on the door

Step With Annette: Mixed Folk, Dance, Ceili

4:00pm – 5:30pm (Event Space)

“Step with Annette” will lead you in a mix of folk dances from Ireland, Scotland and France ; all welcome, no partner or experience necessary, instruction will be provided. Dance has been proven to be good for both mind and body.
For More Info: http://www.annettecollins.com

FREE ENTRY

The Old Courthouse Session Band: Tunes and Songs of County Down

6:00pm – 9:00pm (Upper Deck)

Featuring Nigel Boullier (Fiddle), Dianna Skillen (Fiddle) , David Lennon (Mandolin , Guitar and Vocals ) and Marcus McAuley (Bouzouki) .

Nigel and Dianna are two of the most respected County Down musicians. David is an all-Ireland finalist (Singing in English) , all Ireland medalist (Song) , song collector (life and times of Hugh McWilliams Bard of Ballysallagh) and has rolled out his Folk on a Boat performance for the Openhouse Festival for the last ten years to considerable critical acclaim , Marcus is a multi- instrumentalist who also plays with local bands Celtic Soul and The Boondocks

 

FREE ENTRY