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Press Release: Minister Calleary to attend official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 in Belfast

Preasráiteas: Freastalóidh an tAire Calleary ar oscailt oifigiúil Fhleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 i mBéal Feirste

Press Release

Friday, 31 July 2026

Minister Calleary to attend official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 in Belfast

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, will represent the government at the official opening of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 on Sunday, 2 August. The Fleadh will be held in Belfast from 2 to 9 August 2026. It is only the second occasion that the event has been hosted in Northern Ireland following on from Derry in 2013.

The Fleadh is the largest annual celebration of Irish traditional music, song, dance, and culture, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and generating substantial economic and social benefits.  

Speaking ahead of the official opening, Minister Calleary said:

“I am delighted to be in Belfast to mark the opening of this historic and global event. Over the coming days, the best of Irish culture will be represented by over 180 competitions in over 50 venues.

“I’m particularly thrilled for the city of Belfast and its residents as it marks a significant milestone for the city, positioning it as a leading cultural and tourism destination. I wish all of the participants, organisers and local businesses the very best of success in the days ahead.”

The CCÉ Fleadh Ceol is supported by the Government of Ireland with funding from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.




Preasráiteas

Dé hAoine, 31 Iúil 2026

Freastalóidh an tAire Calleary ar oscailt oifigiúil Fhleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 i mBéal Feirste

Déanfaidh an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, Dara Calleary, ionadaíocht thar ceann an rialtais ag oscailt oifigiúil Fhleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 Dé Domhnaigh, an 2 Lúnasa. Reáchtálfar an Fhleadh i mBéal Feirste ón 2 go dtí an 9 Lúnasa 2026. Seo an dara huair a reáchtálfar an ócáid i dTuaisceart Éireann, tar éis na fleidhe a reáchtáladh i nDoire sa bhliain 2013.

Is í an Fhleadh an ceiliúradh bliantúil is mó ar cheol traidisiúnta, ar amhránaíocht, ar rince agus ar chultúr na hÉireann; mealltar na céadta míle cuairteoir agus cruthaítear buntáistí suntasacha eacnamaíocha agus sóisialta mar gheall uirthi.   

Ag labhairt roimh an oscailt oifigiúil, dúirt an tAire Calleary:

“Tá an-áthas orm a bheith i mBéal Feirste chun tús a chur leis an ócáid stairiúil dhomhanda seo. Sna laethanta amach romhainn, léireofar an chuid is fearr de chultúr na hÉireann trí bhreis agus 180 comórtas a bheidh ar siúl i mbreis agus 50 ionad.

“Tá an-áthas orm go háirithe ar son chathair Bhéal Feirste agus a cuid cónaitheoirí, mar gur cloch mhíle shuntasach í seo don chathair, rud a chuireann í chun tosaigh mar cheann scríbe cultúir agus turasóireachta. Guím gach rath ar na rannpháirtithe, ar na heagraithe agus ar na gnólachtaí áitiúla sna laethanta amach romhainn.”

Faigheann Fleadh Cheoil CCÉ tacaíocht ó Rialtas na hÉireann trí mhaoiniú ón Roinn Cultúir, Cumarsáide agus Spóirt.

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