A special evening of music, song and words will take place at the Ulster Hall on Saturday 01 August as Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, welcomes Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to Belfast at Ulster Hall
Croí na Cathrach – Heart of the City – will see many of the city’s emerging and traditional musicians coming together to perform a selection of pieces, reflecting Belfast’s rich and diverse shared heritage.
Curated by renowned composer Neil Martin and presented by acclaimed broadcaster Lynette Fay, the show will celebrate Belfast’s musical heritage, ahead of Fleadh Cheoil, which begins on Sunday 2 August.
The event will feature a special guest performance by Hothouse Flowers lead vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Liam Ó Maonlaí, while Oscar-nominated actors Stephen Rea and Ciarán Hinds will perform a selection of readings throughout the evening.
Other highlights include a unique performance by members of the legendary Bothy Band, Paddy Glackin and Matt Molloy, as well as contributions from vocalist Roisin Chambers and harpist Séana Davey.
There will be a specially curated performance by an orchestra of 100 fiddles gathered from across Ulster, with special guests, the Southside Fiddlers from Glasgow.
Members of the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band will perform solo pipe pieces, and there will also be two special renditions from the 1st Old Boys' Brass Band.
The evening will also include an ensemble rendition of The Minstrel Boy, accompanied by organist Christian Rutger playing the Ulster Hall’s famous Mulholland Grand Organ.
