On the slipway where the Titanic was constructed, a large céil marked the conclusion of a significant traditional music festival in Belfast.

The fifth edition of Belfast Tradfest will take place in 2026, when organisers want to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

Award-winning vocalist Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and famous whistle player Mary Bergin are just a couple of the top traditional Irish musicians that took part.

According to the event's organiser, Dónal O'Connor, 20,000 people are expected to have attended performances, seminars, talks, and sessions around the city this past week.

There were 14 sold-out performances, 62 seminars, 45 daytime activities, a summer school with 550 students, 25% of whom were from outside Ireland, and other events.

Famous musicians who have recently finished recording with Eric Clapton, such as Scottish fiddler John McCusker, and guitarist John Doyle, Joan Baez's musical director, spent the week coaching pupils.

Mr. O'Connor state: “ Belfast has a diverse range of musical traditions from which to draw.” He continued.

“With the flute, the fife, the drum, the violin, and the bodhrán, we have a distinctive soundscape here.”

“It's something we want to bring to people and bring people together through, and we celebrate traditional music in a wonderful way doing it.”

The Belfast City Council intends to submit a bid for the 2026 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

A million people, or twice as many as those who came to witness the Tall Ships in the city in 2015, are predicted to swarm the streets of the city.