Belfast is set to have a dazzling new “destination” stage show, Celtic Heart, taking up residency at the Waterfront Hall and aimed at giving city visitors a must-see showcase of local culture and arts.
Celebrating Belfast’s rich cultural heritage, through traditional music, storytelling and dance, Celtic Heart is a brand new production created by award-winning local arts and music centre, The Music Yard and local scriptwriter, Colin Urwin.
The show, which has been commissioned in partnership with the Waterfront Hall, is set to run from April to September in both the Waterfront Studio and the main auditorium. It is aimed at appealing to visitors to the city, tourists and local audiences alike.
Celtic Heart brings together an ensemble of actors, musicians and dancers from across the region to weave a story grounded in early 1900’s industrial working class Belfast.
Colin Urwin’s narrative tells a moving story of forbidden love, as two traditions collide and a young woman struggles to follow her heart without defying family expectations. It weaves a captivating tale using reminiscence, Belfast humour and a sprinkling of local folklore.
The tale unfolds as a father reflects on his life from a quiet kitchen table, while memories come alive on stage through a captivating performance of live traditional music, evocative vocals exploring hauntingly beautiful Irish ballads, and a breathtaking display of jigs and reels from champion Irish dancers.
Speaking about the production, Thomas Hamilton from The Music Yard said:
Celtic Heart is a story that speaks to universal themes of love, family and identity.
"Audiences will feel the deep, unbreakable bond a father holds for his daughter, while simultaneously rooting for her to find a way to follow her heart without defying family tradition. It’s a not-unfamiliar story of love across a divide.
“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:
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 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 Celtic Heart | 25 April 2026 - 29 September 2026 | Waterfront Hall with performances scheduled throughout the spring and summer.
