Thousands packed into the centre of Belfast on Sunday as Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Róis-Máire Donnelly, Uachtarán na hÉireann, Catherine Connolly, the First and Deputy First Ministers, and dignitaries from Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
WITH just days to go until Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann arrives in Belfast, Belfast City Council alongside Translink are urging everyone to plan ahead and leave extra time for journeys during one of the biggest events ever held in the city.
IT is the middle Saturday at Féile an Phobail and it promises to be a huge day of events with another major concert, the annual Carnival Parade and much more.
As we embark on another Féile it is breathtaking to see how women and women’s issues are centre stage, equally, proudly, diversely and complexly. Nine years ago when the Féile programme came out there was a dearth of women speaking at events, or even chairing events. There were manels every day and it was uneven in representation. Those days are firmly in the past.
Starting next week, as you know , we will have the Fleadh Ceoil na heireann in Belfast for the first time. The projected number of visitors to Belfast, drawn by the Fleadh , is expected to be 800,000. So here’s the question: how many of those enjoying the Fleadh will be unionists? I’m guessing very, very few.
MY friend and comrade Gerry Kelly has announced his decision not to stand in the Assembly election next May. That does not mean that he will no longer be a republican activist. No chance of that. As I found out when I stepped back from electoral politics, there is still a lot to do. And I am certain Gerry Kelly will also find that to be true.
THE aroma of freshly baked cakes, pastries and sweet treats filled the air in Tullymore on Friday as the hugely popular Big Andytown Bake Off returned as part of this year’s Féile an Phobail programme.
