Students and faculty from seven universities in the USA attended the St Mary’s International Summer School and were fortunate to experience the positivity of Belfast as the city hosted the historic Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026.

St Mary’s International Summer School coincided with Belfast’s first hosting of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the world’s largest celebration of traditional Irish music and culture which transformed the city into a vibrant festival of sound, colour and craic, allowing the American students and academics to experience Belfast at its most dynamic.

Delivered in association with Féile an Phobail, the Summer School continues to showcase Belfast to an international audience while highlighting the city’s diversity, community spirit and cultural
confidence. The timing of the programme offers participants a unique opportunity to experience the excitement of a city taking centre stage on a global cultural platform.

Participating institutions:
James Madison University, Virginia
Merrimack College, Massachusetts
Bellarmine University, Kentucky
Alvernia University, Pennsylvania
Saint Martin’s University, Washington
Edgewood University, Wisconsin
Carroll University, Wisconsin