| Queen’s University Belfast will host ‘Fleadh at Queen’s’ – a two-week fringe event as part of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture, which will take place in Belfast. The University will showcase its unique contribution to Irish cultural life with a programme that will celebrate the rich traditions, creativity and cultural impact of Irish traditional music through film, exhibitions, archive collections, performances and public discussions.Taking place across the historic campus, events will be delivered by Queen’s Film Theatre, Film Hub NI, the Sonic Arts Research Centre, the Seamus Heaney Centre and the McClay Library Special Collections and Archives, alongside cultural partners including Irish in Britain. One Elmwood, voted the number one Students’ Union in the UK, will open its doors to offer a designated fleadh-friendly area for a rest or an impromptu session. The programme at Queen’s will showcase a range of free exhibitions exploring the people, stories and cultural heritage connected to Irish traditional music.In partnership with Irish in Britain, the University will host ‘Look Back to Look Forward’, a major public exhibition built around oral histories of people from across the island of Ireland who moved to Britain over the past five decades – with contributions from well-known faces such as Adrian Dunbar, Ardal O’Hanlan and Siobhán McSweeney. The exhibition is open to the public and explores themes of migration, identity and belonging through audio, film, objects and interactive content.Exhibitions will also include ‘Something to Say’, which will explore the relationship between Seamus Heaney and musician, filmmaker and broadcaster David Hammond, alongside ‘Give us a Tune’, a collection of portraits from Irish traditional music curated by the Naughton Gallery on the front lawn of the landmark Lanyon Building. A key feature of the programme is a symposium and series of performances produced by award-winning harper, composer, researcher and sound artist Dr Úna Monaghan, who is also a Lecturer in music at Queen’s. Bringing together performances, discussions and knowledge exchange, this event will explore how contemporary artists are expanding the possibilities of Irish traditional music by combining tradition with new technologies, improvisation and other art forms. Queen’s Film Theatre will also present ‘Fleadh on Film’, a special season celebrating the music, stories and creative spirit of the island of Ireland. Selected screenings will feature live performances and conversations, creating new opportunities to explore Ireland’s cultural heritage on screen. Queen’s Film Theatre will also be hosting a free month long AR exhibition in the foyer, in partnership with Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive. President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer said:“We are delighted to be hosting a programme of events to coincide with the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann coming to Belfast. The Fleadh will showcase our city on the global stage, attracting visitors and strengthening Belfast’s reputation as a vibrant place to live, study and visit.“Queen’s plays a pivotal role in the social, cultural and economic backdrop of Northern Ireland, and we’re committed to working with our partners to celebrate our shared cultural heritage, ensuring that the benefits of this landmark occasion are felt across our city and beyond.” Joan Parsons, Head of Culture and Arts at Queen’s said:“Queen’s has long been a place where culture and creativity thrive, and we are delighted to celebrate the arrival of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann with a programme that reflects this. By opening our campus to performances, exhibitions and community events, we hope to create opportunities for people to connect with the rich traditions of Irish culture while experiencing Queen’s as a welcoming cultural destination at the heart of Belfast.” Further details on the Fleadh at Queen’s programme, including event listings and booking information, can be found at www.qub.ac.uk/events/fleadh |
University To Host Programme Of Events To Mark Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026
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