It's a shorter one this week.

To be fair, the city has already given us enough to take in. Between the music, crowds and everything happening across Belfast, we didn't want to add more noise.

But we’re big on showing up every Thursday, so here we are.

Plus, there’s something else. A first for Belfast Insider, and you've probably heard a little about it already.

Right, let's get into it.

You could feel it before you even saw a fiddle.

The city centre has been absolutely heaving this week, with almost 177,000 people passing through on the opening Sunday alone. That's nearly double last year's numbers and even bigger than this year's St Patrick's Day crowds. Thanks to the Fleadh.

It's also been so busy that Belfast City Council has expanded the pedestrian zone around City Hall until Sunday, 9th of August, closing Wellington Place and three sides of Donegall Square to traffic so people can move around safely.

But it isn't just the music. St George's Market is open every day this week, the Cathedral Quarter Food Village is packed with local traders, and cafés, bars and restaurants across the city have all leaned into the celebrations with live sessions, tasting menus and late-night openings.

Belfast feels different this week. Busier. Louder. Like the whole city decided to head outside at the same time.

🔗 Belfast City Council | Belfast Telegraph

Belfast entrepreneur Brendan Boyd has invested £250,000 to launch Hopp Belfast, bringing more than 100 app-based electric bikes to the city.

The Hopp network currently covers the Falls Road, Shankill Road, Ormeau Road, Antrim Road and Titanic Quarter, with plans to expand as demand grows.

Belfast has seen its fair share of bike schemes but Hopp is betting that app-based e-bikes are finally arriving at the right time. Expect to see shiny new green bikes flying past you over the next few weeks.

Also leaving the city centre...

After 12 years on Arthur Street, Joules has closed its Belfast store. The unit is now on the market for around £115,000 a year, adding another empty unit to one of the city's best-known shopping streets.

🔗 Newsletter | Belfast Telegraph

Your guide to what’s on across Belfast & Northern Ireland

No event listings this week because, the Fleadh is the event.

Instead of trying to pick a list from hundreds of sessions, concerts, céilís and street performances, we'd recommend grabbing an official programme or chatting to one of the many volunteers around the city. They'll usually point you towards something you'd never have found yourself.

Honestly, the best Fleadh plans usually aren't plans at all. Our advice? Don't over-plan it. The best Fleadh moments will probably be the ones you accidentally stumble into.

Normally we'd send you off to a hidden café or new restaurant.

This week, we'd tell you to wander.

The Fleadh has transformed the city centre into one giant food crawl. From the Cathedral Quarter Food Village to independent traders dotted along High Street, Royal Avenue and beyond, there are loads of pop-up stalls serving everything from local favourites to international street food.

Go hungry.

While Belfast has been celebrating, we've been cooking up something of our own .On Sunday 30 August, Belfast Insider is bringing internationally celebrated chef, Chef Fregz to the city for our first-ever dining experience.

Expect a one-night-only menu that brings together bold flavours, great company and stories behind every course.

Whether you're already familiar with African cuisine or trying it for the first time, this will be a night to remember.

🎟️ Book your place → (Tickets are limited)

How has your Fleadh experience been so far?

Vote here →

At's us nai.

If you stumble across an unbelievable trad session, a hidden food stall or the best pint of the week, send it our way. Half the fun of Belfast is hearing about the places you only find because someone told you.

See you next Thursday.

Team Belfast Insider 💛