A 100-strong fiddle orchestra, celebrated actors and leading traditional musicians came together at Belfast’s Ulster Hall for a major celebration of the city’s musical heritage on the eve of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
Croí na Cathrach, meaning Heart of the City, filled the historic venue with music, song and spoken word on Saturday 1 August, ahead of the Fleadh opening across Belfast.
Hosted by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, the performance brought together artists, musicians and community groups representing a broad range of Belfast and Ulster traditions.
One of the evening’s centrepieces was an orchestra of 100 fiddlers gathered from across Ulster, joined by special guests The Southside Fiddlers from Glasgow.
Hothouse Flowers lead vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Liam Ó Maonlaí also made a special guest appearance, while Oscar-nominated actors Stephen Rea and Ciarán Hinds delivered a selection of readings.
Traditional music figures Matt Molloy of The Chieftains and Paddy Glackin of The Bothy Band performed together during the evening. Further contributions came from singer Róisín Chambers, harpist Séana Davey and the Cave Hill Community Choir.
The programme also featured the 13-time world champion Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, Campbell College Pipe Band and the 1st Old Boys’ Brass Band.
The evening concluded with an ensemble performance of The Minstrel Boy, accompanied by Tristan Russcher on the Ulster Hall’s historic Mulholland Grand Organ.
Croí na Cathrach was staged as a celebration of Belfast’s shared musical heritage and as a welcome to the musicians, performers and visitors arriving for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
More than 800,000 people are expected to visit Belfast during the festival, which runs from Sunday 2 August until Sunday 9 August.
The Fleadh is being hosted by Belfast City Council alongside Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Ards CCÉ, with performances, competitions and cultural events taking place at venues and outdoor locations across the city.
The event marks the first time Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann has been held in Belfast, placing the city at the centre of one of the world’s largest celebrations of Irish music, language, song and dance.
