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The annual Iúr Cinn Fleadh celebration of trad and folk music kicks off this weekend in Newry and each year it just gets better and better. Following hot on the heels of the ridiculously successful Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Belfast it will give locals one more chance to get their festival fix before the long winter approaches.
The festival begins this Thursday 27 August and runs right through the Bank Holiday weekend till Monday 31 August with around 90 events and as in previous years most are completely free!
Newry BID, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Narrow Water Events are the main sponsors of the event.
As well as regular sessions galore in local pubs and café's and the unmissable Trad Cruises there is an abundance of events taking place including the annual Buttermilk Drinking Challenge at the Buttercrane.
Hothouse Flowers
The Headline concert this year sees The Hothouse Flowers return to the city for another high energy gig this Saturday 29 August at the Canal Court Hotel with support from The New Leaves. Some tickets are still available at £32.50 at www.eventbrite.co.uk
Trad Cruise
Sail away with us this year on the SeaQuest with a glass of wine in hand! As people cycle and jog up the Fathom Line, and cars zoom down the Omeath Road, you’ll soon discover that the only way to travel is on one of the Fleadh's Trad Cruises, getting serenaded by the best traditional players and folk singers. Seats book out fast so don’t miss out! Albert Basin 27 - 31 August various sailings daily. £22.50 (plus booking fee). https://www.iurcinnfleadh.com/tickets/
Zoe Conway and John McIntyre
Another gig not to be missed is on Saturday 29 August afternoon 2pm at Newry Museum where Zoe Conway and John McIntyre will screen From a Forest to a Fiddle. This mesmerising art-film captures Jim McKillop as he breathes life into wood, creating a fiddle in his rural workshop in Ravensdale for the last time. The process was filmed by Filmmaker Patrick Conway over six months, with a soundtrack of Zoe Conway’s own score. The screening will be followed by a live performance by Zoe and John. Admission £12. https://www.iurcinnfleadh.com/tickets/
Childrens'/ Family events
As always there's plenty on for the whole family. Sticky Fingers Arts once again are on hand with free events including Kite Making Art Workshops, nature exploration and storytelling.
28 August 11am-2pm - Let’s Fly a Kite - McClelland Park; 29 August 11.30-1.30pm - The Secret Garden @ Newry Cathedral Gardens and 31 August 10.30am- 11.30am - ‘The Wee Tree’ art workshop and storytelling session @ Newry Museum. Reserve a place for the Wee Tree workshop by email to: suziemarner@hotmail.com
Puppet Power
The Moon and Sixpence Puppet Theatre are also back to Newry Cathedral Gardens on Saturday 29 August for 2 shows. ‘Jacqueline and the Beanstalk’ will bring a little girl- power to the beanstalk! 11am-12pm and 1-2pm.
Childrens' Bodhrán Workshop
A chance for young budding musicians to learn to play one of Ireland’s oldest instruments - the bodhrán in a workshop at Newry’s Baptist Centre.
Join the classes if you’re aged between 4 and 16. Limited spaces, so to avoid missing out, email newrybaptist@gmail.com. 27 August 6.30 - 7.30pm.
Trad Trail
Check out the Trad Trail around pubs and cafés in the city. Soak up some soulful singing by Curragh, and powerful playing by a huge host of local legends. Why not track down ‘Maggie’s Boys’ and ‘Grandpa Tommy’s Ceilí Band’ in a local hostelry or chill out to the smooth sounds of Mickey Murphy in one of the café gigs. There’s no nicer way to enjoy a beverage! All weekend at various venues.
Ceilí Time
Are you dancing? - Yes we're asking! New for 2026 is a ceilí this Friday 28 August in Newry Market with Raymond Carroll. Get your dancing shoes on and come on down! The evening starts at 6.30pm with the wonderful Rock Choir followed at 8-10pm with the Céilí.
Comhaltas Uladh de Chonradh na Gaeilge
A major exhibition of materials relating to the history of the Ulster Gaelic League (1926-2026) will take place in Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail, Upper Chapel Streeet on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 August - Friday 11am - 4.30pm, Saturday 11.00am-4.30 pm. A dedicated aspect of the exhibition will be a slideshow of old photographs that chart aspects of the history of Gaelic Newry (dancing, sport, drama, language, individuals involved over the years)
There's also an Irish Singing Workshop at Gaeláras on Friday 28 from 10 - 11am. Join Bláithín Mhic Cána and Aoibh Tomany as they sing some well-known, and some less-celebrated 'Amhráin Ghaeilge'. Come along to the Gaeláras and join in with a ‘Pop up Gaeltacht’ afterwards.
Poetry and Pancakes
The Fleadh wouldn’t be the Fleadh without a few poems and some pancakes! Come along with any poetic offerings that you have created, and we will fuel your confidence with a few slims! Everyone welcome! 28 August 11.30am - 12.30pm at Newry City Library.
Newry Food Tour
Do you want to sample locally produced food and drink in the heart of our beautiful city? If so, come on the Newry Food Tour. This 3hr walking tour showcases the best of the city's cuisine. Saturday 29 August 2- 5.30pm starting at Phillip’s Fruit. Tickets £50 and you can book by email to: eamonn@newry.com
Newry Ghost Walk
Join the gentle giant of Ghost Walks Martin Murtagh on Friday 28 August at 9pm as he guides you around some of Newry’s scariest haunts! Whatever you do don’t look behind you! Meet at Newry Town Hall.
Newry Water Festival
Take your pick from canoeing, paddle boarding, a climbing wall and much more. There’s something for everyone to enjoy. Just turn up on the day on Monday 31 August at the Albert Basin from 12 - 3pm.
Beach Combers Bus Trip
What is it about driftwood that attracts us? Its rustic charm and natural beauty have a timeless aesthetic appeal, with each piece unique and hinting at its own backstory. Join us on a bus tour to visit local beaches to find a piece of your own driftwood at the start of the Fleadh, and reconvene on the last day to add the final touches to your creation. Limited free places available. Booking at suziemarner@hotmail.com. Thursday 27 August, 6-9pm Meeting Point Albert Basin.
Funny Folk led by Finbar Briege and Ciarán
Bring along your lutes, flutes and funny bones to our ‘Funny Folk’ singing session this year in Magees. This year we will have Finbar Magee, Briege Quinn and Ciarán Mussen to lead the way in singing humourus songs - but everyone is welcome! Get your party piece ready! Monday 31 August 6-8pm.
The Kelly Family and the U3A Gentlemen Singers
Newry’s U3A’s Gentlemen Singers are a well-balanced bunch, and the mellow sound that the choir produces is testament to this. Their ethos of life-long learning celebrates active aging, with two members of the choir being nonagenarians. During a daytime performance, this extraordinary choir will perform some of their repertoire, including ‘Running Bear’ and ‘Black Hills of Dakota’.
The Kelly Family have earned their stripes in Trad music circles, having played all over the country and being active members of their local Comhaltas. Paul, and son Thomas, can move seamlessly from guitar, to mandolin, to banjo and fiddle. They will be performing a selection of their favourite tunes and will be accompanying the choir. Come along for what promises to be a magical afternoon of musical fusion that will put a smile on everyone’s face. Newry Museum. Monday 31 August 12.30 - 2.30pm.
Check out the full Fleadh Festival Programme here: Iúr Cinn Fleadh 2026 Event Guide
