Ebb and Flow live from the Ulster Hall

As part of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, the first time the All-Ireland Fleadh has ever been hosted in Belfast, presenters Neil Martin and Caoimhe Ceol Ní Chathail bring together some of the island’s leading musical voices alongside the Ulster Orchestra for a unique evening reflecting on movement, belonging and northern traditions.

The event, a collaboration with Belfast City Council, will feature performances from acclaimed artists including Úna Monaghan, Dónal O’Connor with Duke Special & John McSherry, Ryan Vail with Elma Orkestra, Michael Keeney, Gráinne Holland, the Belfast Bands Forum and Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The Ulster Orchestra will also perform much-loved Irish classics.

The concert forms part of the wider Fleadh celebrations taking place across Belfast from 2–9 August, when the city will host one of the world’s largest festivals of Irish traditional music, welcoming performers and audiences from across Ireland and around the globe.

The central theme of Ebb and Flow explores how rivers, lakes and coastlines have shaped our everyday lives but also guided the movement of people into and out of Ireland for generations.

Set against the historic significance of Belfast hosting Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann for the first time, Ebb and Flow promises to be one of the landmark musical events of the festival.