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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Claudia Savage

President Connolly opens Belfast Fleadh celebrating ‘universality’ of music

Belfast Oliver McVeigh Catherine Connolly Emma LittlePengelly Michelle ONeill City Hall DUP Northern Ireland Sinn Fein
Irish President Catherine Connolly speaking at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, which has officially opened in Belfast (Oliver McVeigh/PA) - (PA Wire)

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 is a celebration of the “universality” of music, Irish President Catherine Connolly has said at its opening ceremony.

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill told the hundreds gathered outside City Hall that the Fleadh is for all “who calls this place home”, while deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said “culture need not divide us” as she invited visitors “to listen, to learn, and to discover”.

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