2 Royal
Avenue
MayWe is delighted to manage 2 Royal Avenue, a new cultural venue that Belfast City Council have transformed playing host to artistic experiences, events and workshops.
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2026 Opening Hours
2 Royal Avenue is open 10am-6pm Monday to Sunday.
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Pop in to find some new additions to the space featuring...
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A New Installation 'Landscape with Columns and Figures' curated and commissioned by Belfast City Council with MMAS Architects and OGU Architects
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Our Kids Cosy area
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The Library Corner, featuring a selection of books for all ages by Northern Irish and Irish writers and a diversity themed collection, curated by Seamus Heaney Centre at Queens, Michaela Mc Dermott, and Orla McKeating, and supplied by No Alibis bookshop.
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A Homework Station
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Our Sensory Dome
Yallaa Café will be open from 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday and 12pm-4pm Sundays, serving delightful hot & cold beverages and delicious food, featuring a new lunch menu!
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​For more information about 2 Royal Avenue accessibility please visit AccessAble via this link: https://www.accessable.co.uk/belfast-city-council/access-guides/2-royal-avenue
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Check out whats on below!
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If you are interested in using 2 Royal Avenue for an event or workshop, please contact 2royalave@maywe.co.uk​
EXHIBITIONS
The light of other days
1st august to 31st august
Jim maginn
Presented as part of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann fringe programme, The Light of Other Days offers a rare opportunity to explore a carefully curated selection of Jim Maginn's most iconic photographs.
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The collection features intimate portraits of both celebrated figures and unsung heroes of the traditional music world. Many of those pictured have since passed on, making these images not only works of art, but important cultural documents preserving moments, personalities and stories that might otherwise have been lost to time.
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Drop in to see this free exhibition on throughout August.​
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EVENTS
week commencing 27th JUly
tuesday 28 JULY
The Grapevine 11am - 1pm
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Age Friendly Belfast
​​"Drop In" hub for older people.
​An opportunity to enjoy a chat, meet new people, become involved in events, and learn about new services.
​Free Event. Drop In. ​​
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TAI CHI 1pm - 2pm
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Zen Chi Spirit Nature offers health and well-being exercises utilising Qigong, Tai Chi, and Karate-Do moves as meditation in motion.
Through these flowing and mindful practices, we promote longevity, flexibility, calmness, and the balance of spirit, mind, and body as one.
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Our approach encourages avoiding chaos and instead embracing peace and harmony with fellow Man and the universe.
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AiKi Spirit Love
ZenChi Spirit Nature
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Drop in!
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wednesday 24 July
Sos Lóin, Béal Feirste 12pm -2pm​​​
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Beir leat do lón féin agus bí ag labhairt Gaeilge i gcroílár chathair Bhéal Feirste ag am lóin.
Is teacht le chéile réchúiseach é an Sos Lóin mar a bhfuil fáilte roimh éinne ar mhaith leis Gaeilge a labhairt ar a shuaimhneas.
Cibé cé acu atá tú ag obair i lár an bhaile nó i mbun siopadóireachta nó eile, buail isteach chugainn agus déan do chomhrá seal.
Bíonn an Sos Lóin ar siúl gach re Céadaoin in 2 Ascaill Ríoga idir 12.00 agus 14.00.
Is imeacht saor in aisce é seo. Le tuilleadh eolais a fháil, seol ríomhphost chuig sosloinbealfeirste@gmail.com
Bring your own lunch and speak Irish in the heart of Belfast over lunch time.
The Sos Lóin is an informal meet-up where anyone who wants to speak Irish at their ease is welcome.
Whether you are working in the town centre, shopping or otherwise, call in and chat a while.
The Sos Lóin is on every other Wednesday in 2 Royal Avenue between 12.00 and 14.00.
This is a free event. For more information, please e-mail sosloinbealfeirste@gmail.com
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Thursday 30 July
Tai Chi 1pm - 2pm
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Zen Chi Spirit Nature offers health and well-being exercises utilising Qigong, Tai Chi, and Karate-Do moves as meditation in motion.
Through these flowing and mindful practices, we promote longevity, flexibility, calmness, and the balance of spirit, mind, and body as one.
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Our approach encourages avoiding chaos and instead embracing peace and harmony with fellow Man and the universe.
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AiKi Spirit Love
ZenChi Spirit Nature
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Drop in!
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Sunday 2 august
Belfast Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Commences!​
Explore some of the brilliant events lined up at 2 Royal Avenue over the next week as part of the Belfast City Centre Fringe Programme!
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Electric Reels 12pm - 1pm
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Catch Electric Reels, a talented young folk and trad band consisting of kids aged 11-13, delivering lively tunes, soaring harmonies and fresh energy to Irish classics.​​
No ticket required!​
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Children's Trad Seisiún 3pm - 5pm
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Glengormley School of Traditional Music​
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Join Glengormley School of Traditional Music for this daily family-friendly trad session, where children and young musicians of all abilities can play, learn and celebrate Irish traditional music together.
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week commencing 2nd august
monday 3 august
HEReNI LGBTQIA+ Heritage Documentary screening & Exhibition
10am - 11:30am​​​​​​
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Watch two double-feature screenings of our documentaries "The Troubles I've Seen" and "We Were Always Here" (approx. 30 minutes each) alongside a visual exhibition to showcase the history of Northern Ireland's LGBTQIA+ movement and queer spaces.
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Sustainability Workshop - Instrument Making 10am​​​​​​
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Join in on fun, hands-on sustainable arts workshops Monday to Thursday, inspiring creativity and environmental awareness for all ages!
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Families of Ulster Recital - Brady Family (Antrim) 1pm​​​​​​​
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Join these special traditional music recitals highlighting musical households from across the province, bringing together generations of musicians connected through family, tradition, and a shared love of Irish music.
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Children's Trad Seisiún 3pm - 5pm
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Glengormley School of Traditional Music​
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Join Glengormley School of Traditional Music for this daily family-friendly trad session, where children and young musicians of all abilities can play, learn and celebrate Irish traditional music together.
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Tuesday 4 august
Sustainability Workshop - Instrument Making 10am​​​​​​
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Join in on fun, hands-on sustainable arts workshops Monday to Thursday, inspiring creativity and environmental awareness for all ages!
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Same but Different Drum Workshop 10:30am - 12pm​​​​​​
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Tickets: £3 Available HERE​
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Discover the fascinating story behind two iconic instruments in this unique, hands-on workshop with Ceathrú Cheoil na bhFál. Through rhythm, storytelling and guided demonstrations, explore the traditions, craftsmanship and shared heritage that connect these powerful musical symbols.
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Families of Ulster Recital - Cathcart/Dolan Family (Fermanagh and Tyrone) 1pm​​​​​​​
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Join these special traditional music recitals highlighting musical households from across the province, bringing together generations of musicians connected through family, tradition, and a shared love of Irish music.
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Children's Trad Seisiún 3pm - 5pm
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Glengormley School of Traditional Music​
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Join Glengormley School of Traditional Music for this daily family-friendly trad session, where children and young musicians of all abilities can play, learn and celebrate Irish traditional music together.
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Wednesday 5 august
Sustainability Workshop - Instrument Making 10am​​​​​​
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Join in on fun, hands-on sustainable arts workshops Monday to Thursday, inspiring creativity and environmental awareness for all ages!
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Sammy the Squirrel: Irish storytelling for early years children
10am - 12pm​​​​​​
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Designed for pre-primary school children, join Sammy the Squirrel for a session of fun stories, in Irish!
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Families of Ulster Recital - Meehan Family (Armagh) 1pm​​​​​​​
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Join these special traditional music recitals highlighting musical households from across the province, bringing together generations of musicians connected through family, tradition, and a shared love of Irish music.
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Children's Trad Seisiún 3pm - 5pm
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Glengormley School of Traditional Music​
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Join Glengormley School of Traditional Music for this daily family-friendly trad session, where children and young musicians of all abilities can play, learn and celebrate Irish traditional music together.
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Thursday 6 august
Sustainability Workshop - Photo Stand Making 10am​​​​​​
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Join in on fun, hands-on sustainable arts workshops Monday to Thursday, inspiring creativity and environmental awareness for all ages!
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Families of Ulster Recital - Mitchell Family (Derry) 1pm​​​​​​​
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Join these special traditional music recitals highlighting musical households from across the province, bringing together generations of musicians connected through family, tradition, and a shared love of Irish music.
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Children's Trad Seisiún 3pm - 5pm
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Glengormley School of Traditional Music​
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Join Glengormley School of Traditional Music for this daily family-friendly trad session, where children and young musicians of all abilities can play, learn and celebrate Irish traditional music together.
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Stendhal x 2RA Takeover 6pm - 11pm​​​​​​
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Tickets: £0-£10 Available HERE​
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Stendhal Festival is taking over 2 Royal Avenue for one night only!
Experience the atmosphere of one of Northern Ireland’s favourite festivals right in the heart of Belfast City Centre.
With a packed evening of music, culture and creativity from local artists and homegrown talent, it’s not to be missed!
Full lineup:
Tessio
Paddy Nash & Friends
Balcony Sunrise
Polar Bolero
Alana Henderson
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FRIDAY 7 august
Alzheimer’s Society Singing for the Brain 10am​​​​​​
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Singing for the Brain brings people affected by dementia together to sing a variety of songs they know and love, in a fun and friendly environment.
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Seanchaí: A Living Tapestry of Ireland’s Stories 11am, 1pm & 2pm​​​​​​
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Meet Seanchaí, a spectacular roaming storyteller bringing Irish myths, songs and folklore to life through street theatre, inviting audiences to discover living stories woven throughout Belfast's streets.
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Families of Ulster Recital - Howell/Maginn/Cowan Family (Down) 12pm​​​​​​​
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Join these special traditional music recitals highlighting musical households from across the province, bringing together generations of musicians connected through family, tradition, and a shared love of Irish music.
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Families of Ulster Recital - McGlinchey Family (Tyrone) 2pm​​​​​​​
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Join these special traditional music recitals highlighting musical households from across the province, bringing together generations of musicians connected through family, tradition, and a shared love of Irish music.
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Children's Trad Seisiún 3pm - 5pm
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Glengormley School of Traditional Music​
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Join Glengormley School of Traditional Music for this daily family-friendly trad session, where children and young musicians of all abilities can play, learn and celebrate Irish traditional music together.
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Cora Harkin 4pm​​​​​​​
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Winner of Roots Young Singer-Songwriter of the Year, Derry Girl Cora Harkin is known for her dazzling live performances, packed with energy and authenticity. She recently supported the Hothouse Flowers, but she’s a headline artist in the making.
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Niamh and the Noades 5pm​​​​​​​
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Fresh from her semi-final appearance on Britain’s Got Talent, Harpist and singer/songwriter Niamh Noade will perform with her talented family accompanying her. She will be joined by her little brother Malachy’s band, Ceol na gCuillin as well as her father Mal on Uilleann Pipes and little sister Molly on the Tin Whistle. Absolutely not to be missed!
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Smashing Buttons presents MOIRO 7pm - 11pm​​​​​​
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Tickets: £0-£5 Available HERE​
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MOIRO (The Music of Irish Origin Stage) presented by Smashing Buttons, will broaden the @fleadhcheoil sound with two nights of traditional music, folk, indie, funk, soul, hip-hop and alternative rock.
Friday’s line-up includes the incredible Trad Folkin Rocks crew, Rory Gallagher’s favourite guitarist, Paul Rose, local indie favourites VERA, and the acclaimed Dark Tropics, whose music has been championed by Radio 1, Radio 2 and RTÉ 2FM.
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Saturday 8 august
Tunes Translated 12pm​​​​​​​
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Watch Tunes Translated, a vibrant community integration project from west Belfast that brings locals, migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees together through music.
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Four Corners Flute Orchestra 12:30pm & 2pm​​​​​​​
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The Four Corners Flute Orchestra brings together diverse players from across the island to create and perform music together. Young musicians from a wide range of backgrounds have come together for the first time to explore and develop a wide range of musical styles together, including traditional, world, classical, and contemporary music.
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Combining forces with flute players primarily from Belfast, Derry, Donegal, Limerick and Cork, this group showcases the pride and passion for one of the islands most symbolic instruments.
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Children's Trad Seisiún 3pm - 5pm
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Glengormley School of Traditional Music​
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Join Glengormley School of Traditional Music for this daily family-friendly trad session, where children and young musicians of all abilities can play, learn and celebrate Irish traditional music together.
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Aidan Mulholland 4pm​​​​​​​
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Aidan Mulholland is a Belfast fiddle player, violin maker and specialist restorer. For more than 30 years, his workshop in Cathedral Buildings was a vital resource for local musicians, until the devastating 2022 fire destroyed his tools, stock and irreplaceable antique wood & instruments. Aidan’s story is one of real resilience, craft and deep service to Northern Ireland’s music community. He will be joined on stage by his sons Antonio & Lorcan, who are also members of the Spanish and Irish Trad Communities.
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Cora 5pm​​​​​​​
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International Folk-Pop artist Cora grew up in rural Derry, surrounded by Irish traditional music. Since moving to London in 2021, she has taken those influences to another plane, playing festivals and events all over the world, including sold-out shows in the famous Notting Hill Arts Club and London Troubadour. Her lyrics stay rooted to her turbulent truth, shrouded by the hooky, sweet melodies that belie them.
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Smashing Buttons presents MOIRO 7pm - 11pm​​​​​​
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Tickets: £0-£5 Available HERE​
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MOIRO (The Music of Irish Origin Stage) presented by Smashing Buttons, will broaden the @fleadhcheoil sound with two nights of traditional music, folk, indie, funk, soul, hip-hop and alternative rock.
Friday’s line-up will bring more must-see performances from Irish hip-hop artists Evo and Becky McNeice, local funk legend Noble Johnson, Ed Sheeran’s pop protégé Antwan Ruiz, plus many more appearing across the weekend.
The stage will be brought to a riotous close with rapidly rising young super-band :Panic :Over. Selected by the BPI to represent Northern Ireland at the World EXPO in Osaka, Japan, :Panic :Over are poised to be the next major act to emerge from this tiny part of the island onto the global stage.
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The evening will be expertly delivered by Downtown Radio DJ and local legend Neal McClelland.
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Sunday 9 august
Families of Ulster Recital - Houton Family (Donegal) 1pm​​​​​​​
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Join these special traditional music recitals highlighting musical households from across the province, bringing together generations of musicians connected through family, tradition, and a shared love of Irish music.
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Children's Trad Seisiún 3pm - 5pm
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Glengormley School of Traditional Music​
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Join Glengormley School of Traditional Music for this daily family-friendly trad session, where children and young musicians of all abilities can play, learn and celebrate Irish traditional music together.
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