PHOTO CAPTION: Anne McGale and her husband John volunteered as team leaders at the historic Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast during Summer 2026 and have already signed up to do it all again when the festival returns in 2027.
Menopause awareness Trainer and Registered Nurse Anne McGale, from South Belfast, was among 1,500 volunteers who helped make history when the Fleadh came to Northern Ireland, for the first ever time, in August 2026.
A tin whistle player and lifelong lover of traditional music, Anne wanted to play her part in an event that brought people of all ages and backgrounds together through a shared appreciation of music and culture.
Alongside her husband John, Anne volunteered for four days, completing 16 hours as a team leader supporting fringe events during the Fleadh, which was held in NI for the first time.
For Anne, the significance of the occasion went well beyond the music.
“It really felt like history in the making,” she said.
“There was something incredibly positive about seeing our culture represented and celebrated through music in a non-political way.
“Music can be an escape for people. It can help us relax, lift our mood and give us a way of connecting with other people. What was particularly striking at the Fleadh was the huge range of ages attending and enjoying the music together.”
Anne and John volunteered through Volunteer Now, receiving extensive preparation ahead of the festival. This included detailed training and Fleadh-specific knowledge so that volunteers could confidently answer visitors’ questions, provide directions and information, and help ensure people had the best possible experience.
The training proved invaluable as Belfast welcomed musicians, families and traditional music enthusiasts to a celebration that transformed the city and demonstrated the power of volunteering at a major cultural event.
Anne’s professional work as a Nurse and Menopause Awareness Trainer has made her particularly conscious of the role that connection, community and enjoyable activities can play in wellbeing. Her experience at the Fleadh reinforced her belief in the therapeutic value of music and in creating opportunities for people to participate in community life.
With the Fleadh returning to Belfast in 2027, Anne and John have already signed up to volunteer again.
For Anne, it is another opportunity to give something back to the local community while being part of an event that celebrates music as something capable of crossing generations and bringing people together.
Interested in volunteering?
Anyone inspired by Anne and John’s experience and interested in getting involved in volunteering can contact Volunteer Now to find out more about volunteering opportunities and how to take part.
