Are you coming to the Fleadh? RTÉ will be there
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player to showcase the best of the reels, rhymes and rambles from Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026
Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 is bound for Belfast from Sunday 2nd – Sunday 9th August 2026. RTÉ will be there to bring the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture to audiences with a packed week of live broadcasts, special programming and exclusive coverage across video, audio and online.
As Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann marks its 75th anniversary, this milestone year is expected to attract more than 700,000 visitors and spectators to Belfast as the city hosts the event for the very first time.
Throughout the week, audiences can enjoy extensive coverage from RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, with broadcasts from the RTÉ stage at Writer’s Square, from Ulster University, at St Patrick’s Cathedral, and from the iconic Gig Rig.
Coverage will kick off on Friday, July 31st, with a special edition of Nationwide as Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh goes behind the scenes. From the hardworking Fleadh Executive Committee and more than 1,300 dedicated volunteers helping everything run seamlessly, to the PSNI team managing logistics, Bláthnaid will meet some of the many people bringing Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to Belfast for the first time.
From Wednesday, August 5th to Sunday, August 9th, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta will broadcast a range of programmes from the heart of Belfast, giving listeners a front-row seat to the very best of the craic, ceol and culture. Morning Ireland will broadcast live from the RTÉ Belfast studio on Wednesday, August 5th. On the penultimate day of Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, Tristan Rosenstock will present a special edition of RTÉ Radio 1’s Céilí House live from the Gig Rig outside Belfast City Hall.
An exciting exhibition produced by RTÉ Radio 1’s The Rolling Wave will celebrate 100 years of RTÉ, bringing decades of traditional Irish music from the station’s rich archive to life through photographs and recordings. Live sessions recorded during the exhibition will become part of this growing archive and will feature on The Rolling Wave later this year.
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and Dáithí Ó Sé will also capture the colour, music and spirit of the festival in the six-part series Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, produced by Red Shoe Productions for RTÉ. The series will air on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
RTÉ and TG4 are proud to support Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 as official media partners. Whether attending in person or following from afar, audiences can enjoy comprehensive coverage of the festival across television, radio and digital platforms.
RTÉ Highlights
Friday July 31st | Dé hAoine an 31ú Iúil
7pm – Nationwide | RTÉ One | RTÉPlayer
Wednesday August 5th | Dé Céadaoin an 5ú Lúnasa
7-9am Morning Ireland – RTÉ Radio 1 | Live from RTÉ Studio, Belfast
3-5pm – Ríl an Rodaí – RTÉ Raidió Na Gaeltachta | Live from the RTÉ stage, Writers Square
3-5pm – Tutor’s Concert | Ulster University
7-9pm – Ceol Binn ó na Beanna | RTÉ Raidió Na Gaeltachta | Live from the RTÉ stage, Writers Square
Thursday August 6th | Déardaoin an 6ú Lúnasa
11-12pm – Live Music | Live from the RTÉ stage, Writers Square
3-5pm – Ríl an Rodaí | RTÉ Raidió Na Gaeltachta | Live from the RTÉ stage, Writers Square
7-9pm – Ceol Binn ó na Beanna | RTÉ Raidió Na Gaeltachta | On the RTÉ stage, Writers Square
Friday August 7th | Dé hAoine an 7ú Lúnasa
10-4pm – RTÉ 100 Exhibition | Belfast Central Library
11-12pm – Barrscéalta | RTÉ Raidió Na Gaeltachta | Live from the RTÉ stage, Writers Square
2-3pm – Aniar Aduaidh | RTÉ Raidió Na Gaeltachta | Live from the RTÉ stage, Writers Square
3-5pm – Ríl an Rodaí | RTÉ Raidió Na Gaeltachta | Live from the RTÉ stage, Writers Square
7-9pm – Ceol Binn ó na Beanna | RTÉ Raidió Na Gaeltachta | On the RTÉ stage, Writers Square
Saturday August 8th | Dé Sathairn an 8ú Lúnasa
11am –12pm – Live Music | Live from the RTÉ stage, Writers Square
1-2pm – Live Music | Live from the RTÉ stage, Writers Square
3-4pm – Live Music | Live from the RTÉ stage, Writers Square
9-10pm – Céilí House | RTÉ Radio 1 | Live from the Gig Rig
Sunday August 9th | Dé Domhnaigh an 9ú Lúnasa
11:00-12:15pm – Aifreann an Domhnaigh | RTÉ Raidió Na Gaeltachta | Live from St Patrick’s Cathedral
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and Dáithí Ó Sé will be capturing the vibrancy of the festival for a six-part series, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026, which will be available on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player later this year. The series is produced by Red Shoe Productions for RTÉ.
ENDS
Emily Burns, RTÉ Communications Coordinator
Éadaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill, RTÉ Communications Lead