Introduction to the McClean Family and the Fleadh
No one is more enthusiastic about the world’s largest festival of Irish music and dance coming to Belfast than Niall and Bronagh McClean.
The couple have played a key role in bringing Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann—the all-Ireland Fleadh—to Belfast this summer.
"It's a dream come true,"says Niall, who has been involved in Irish traditional music for over 40 years.
The all-Ireland Fleadh is anticipated to draw approximately 800,000 visitors to Belfast during the first week of August.
"The music, the craic, the buzz, the atmosphere on the streets will be second to none,"adds Niall, who serves as co-chair of the organising committee.
Bronagh contributes to planning the programme for the main stage located in the city centre.
The McClean family, including their children Seamus, 14, Dominic, 11, Mary Cait, 9, and Orla, 5, are all musicians and hope to perform at the Fleadh.
Seamus plays multiple instruments including the tin whistle, piano, violin, flute, guitar, and uilleann pipes.
"I am looking forward to the Fleadh, it brings everyone together,"he said.
The festival is traditionally held in the Republic of Ireland and has recently taken place in Wexford, Mullingar, and Drogheda.
The McClean family usually travels a long distance to attend the Fleadh, but this year it is a short trip from their home in north Down.
"We're looking forward to seeing it on our doorstep."
Bronagh and Niall have deep roots in Irish musical tradition.
"My mother was a music teacher and my dad played. There were seven children in the house, we all played so there was always music in the house … it was always in my blood really from an early age.
Myself and Bronagh started classes in Bangor about 20 years ago. It was just to give a chance to young musicians to come together - and we now have some of those kids teaching with us."
The Fleadh is organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE), the association of musicians of Ireland.
Niall chairs the Ards branch of the organisation.
Colleen McCleery, vice-chair of the branch, acknowledges the McClean family’s significant contribution to the growth of Irish traditional music in the area.
"It's a real testament to work that they've put in that the Fleadh is coming to Belfast this year,"she said.
"I started going to lessons with Niall when I was six. That was over 20 years ago."
Colleen was among dozens of performers who recently participated in a warm-up event in Bangor for the Fleadh.
Musicians ranging from five to 65 years old performed on a variety of instruments including harps, fiddles, and accordions.
In May, King Charles and Queen Camilla joined musicians from the branch at an event in Belfast celebrating the hosting of the Fleadh.
The royal couple played bodhrán drums during the event.
History of the Fleadh in Northern Ireland
The Fleadh has previously been held in Northern Ireland only once, in 2013 in Londonderry, attracting around 400,000 visitors and 20,000 performers.
This year, the festival will take place in Belfast from 2 to 9 August and is scheduled to return to the city again next summer.
Organisers describe the event as multi-cultural, incorporating many different musical traditions.
"I think it'll be one of the best of all time,"said Niall.
"It will be something Belfast will remember for a long, long time to come."
The peak visitor period is expected between 6 and 9 August.
About Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE) was founded in 1951 by traditional musicians and advocates of Gaelic culture from across Ireland.
The organisation aims to promote traditional Irish music, dance, and language throughout Ireland.
Each year, CCE hosts numerous fleadhanna (festivals) at county and provincial levels.
