Young Dunloy musician lands starring role in major new Belfast trad show set to draw summer crowds

Young Dunloy woman Lasairfhíona Nic Ruairí

A 20-year-old musician from Dunloy is set to take to one of Belfast’s biggest stages this summer, as a new large-scale traditional music production aims to attract thousands of visitors to the city.

Lasairfhíona Nic Ruairí will perform on both harp and fiddle in Celtic Heart, a brand new “destination” stage show commissioned by the Waterfront Hall.

The production will run from April through to September, offering audiences a live showcase of traditional music, song, Irish dancing and storytelling rooted in Belfast’s cultural identity.

Described as “Belfast’s answer to Riverdance”, the show is designed to capture the atmosphere of the city’s trad music scene, bringing together a cast of performers from across Northern Ireland in what organisers hope will become a must-see experience for tourists.

From Dunloy to the Waterfront stage

Lasairfhíona brings a background that blends classical training with traditional Irish music. She began playing tin whistle and fiddle in primary school, initially studying classical violin before moving more fully into traditional performance after achieving Grade 7 level.

Her shift towards trad music, she found, offered greater creative freedom through interpretation and ornamentation.

Her talent has already been recognised nationally, having won the All-Ireland slow air competition on tin whistle at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann two years ago.

She later took up the 36-string harp in her first year of secondary school and has now been playing for nine years, further expanding her musical range.

Currently studying music with Irish at university, Lasairfhíona said the production reflects both sides of her identity.

“I speak fluent Irish, so just playing traditional music I feel more connected through all of my culture and history – and the harp is a beautiful part of that too. Developing myself as a performer and building that identity as someone who plays music is a huge step.

“Celtic Heart is my first time being part of something on this scale, a proper production on a big stage. There aren’t many things that lets tourists see what we’re all capable of, our culture and history. Putting this show out to international audiences, we’ll hopefully keep them coming back here for more!”

A Belfast story brought to life

Celtic Heart Writer Colin Urwin

The show has been created by the award-winning team at The Music Yard alongside local scriptwriter Colin Urwin, who also performs as the production’s storytelling father figure.

Set in early 1900s industrial working-class Belfast, the narrative centres on a story of forbidden love, as two traditions collide and a young woman struggles to follow her heart without defying family expectations.

The story unfolds through the reflections of a father at his kitchen table, with memories brought to life through live music and Irish dance. The performance blends historical themes with Belfast humour and elements of local folklore.

Musically, the production features a full trad ensemble including fiddles, pipes, guitar, banjo, harp and bodhrán, alongside Irish ballads and familiar pub favourites, combined with high-energy jigs and reels performed by champion dancers.

‘A Belfast story, told authentically’

The cast of Celtic Heart

Thomas Hamilton from The Music Yard said the show is designed to take audiences on an emotional journey grounded in the city’s character.

“Audiences will be captivated as they’re taken on an emotional and turbulent journey with  passion and resilience at its heart. Underscoring it is the unique Belfast humour, which turns even troubled times into lighter moments. And every emotion is brought alive through the city’s love of music: from haunting ballads and live traditional musicians, evocative of both sides of local culture, to floorboard rattling jigs and reels in a dazzling whirl of Irish dancing.

“This is a Belfast story, told authentically, honestly, and from the heart, and one which will resonate with audiences long after the final note has faded.”

Rob McConnell, Chief Executive of ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall, said the production has been developed as a long-running cultural attraction for the city.

“Celtic Heart is a really special addition to Belfast’s cultural offering for visitors and local audiences this spring/summer. It captures the spirit and history of the city, it’s a perfect showcase of our outstanding local performance artists, the unique music of this place, and of course our innate love of spinning a good yarn!

“We wanted to offer a long-running “destination” show, unique to Belfast, which people can book in and plan as a must-see part of their visit to the city. It’s an ideal extension of our now-renowned “Big Belfast Welcome”.

“We worked alongside The Music Yard as they auditioned the very best local talent, including Lasairfhíona, to join the cast of incredible performers. We’ve been blown away by some of the young artists who will now have a “residency” in this show over the coming months. Who knows where the future will take them after this. We can’t wait for audiences to experience this remarkable show.”

Tickets for the 21-show run are now on sale at https://www.waterfront.co.uk/celtic-heart, with performances scheduled throughout the spring and summer.

---

At a glance

• 20-year-old Dunloy musician Lasairfhíona Nic Ruairí to star in new Belfast trad show Celtic Heart

• Production commissioned by Waterfront Hall and runs from April to September

• Show blends traditional music, Irish dancing and storytelling set in early 1900s Belfast

• Cast includes performers from across Northern Ireland’s trad scene

• Lasairfhíona performs on harp and fiddle and is an All-Ireland slow air champion on tin whistle

• Production created by The Music Yard and writer Colin Urwin

• 21-show run planned as a “destination” experience for tourists and locals

• Tickets now on sale for spring and summer performances