In recent years, the name Kneecap has started appearing in media outlets around the world. They are not an ordinary band: they rap in Irish and English, use sharp humour, challenge expectations and have turned hip-hop into a way of exploring identity, culture and memory in Northern Ireland. But to understand why Kneecap exists — and why they attract so much attention — you first need to understand Belfast. And, in many ways, you also need to understand the city’s sense of hum

In August 2026, Belfast will host one of the most important cultural events the city has seen in recent years. For one week, the streets, squares, pubs, and cultural venues of the city will come alive with fiddles, flutes, traditional songs, and Irish dancing as Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann arrives in Belfast — the world’s largest celebration of Irish traditional music. From 2 to 9 August 2026, Belfast will become a meeting point for thousands of musicians, dancers, and lovers o

Every July, Belfast and many towns across Northern Ireland change dramatically. Streets are filled with flags, large wooden structures begin to appear in certain neighbourhoods, and thousands of people prepare for one of the most significant dates in the local calendar: the 12th of July, commonly known as The Twelfth. This period is often referred to as the 12th of July Northern Ireland celebrations. For many visitors, it comes as a surprise that a single date can have such a

Belfast is a city of history, music and long conversations over a good pint. Although Northern Ireland’s capital is now known for its murals, Titanic Quarter and vibrant cultural scene, there is another important part of the city’s identity: its pubs. In Belfast, a pub is much more than a place to have a drink. For centuries, pubs have been meeting places for neighbours, musicians, writers, workers and generations of local families. Some pubs survived major political changes,

Every year on 17 March, Belfast joins towns and cities across Ireland in celebrating St Patrick's Day, one of the island's most important cultural festivals. The streets fill with green, traditional Irish music, parades and family-friendly events as locals and visitors come together to celebrate Ireland's patron saint. Although many people associate St Patrick's Day with Dublin, Belfast also embraces the occasion with several days of concerts, cultural events, family activiti