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СпутникиРНSpaceXРоскосмосNASA"It's incredible that Belfast is getting the Fleadh - it's a very poignant moment and it's something to be super proud of so I'm happy to be here"
Ryan McMullan chats about the Fleadh coming to Belfast
With two sold-out shows and a prime slot on the Fleadh Zone stage, Ryan McMullan wasn't even initially sure if he was going to get involved as the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann rolled into Belfast.
The Co Down singer-songwriter took to the stage at The Belfast Empire on Wednesday night for his first-ever visit and performance at the Fleadh - reimagining some of his greatest hits alongside a full trad band.
Describing it as one of his "favourite gigs ever", Ryan told Belfast Live ahead of the show that he hopes the Fleadh in Belfast showcases the talent in our region at a global level and puts our arts and music scene on the map.
He said: "I was sort of torn with the idea of do I get involved or not because I have a lot of respect for the trad players and I'm not one.
"A few people had said 'oh you have to do something, you have to do something' and when these shows were sort of being talked about, I was excited for it.
"I know so many amazing players and I thought, I get to reimagine the songs in a totally different way. This could actually be really exciting."
Chatting in the green room of the Empire just before he and the band were to take to the stage, it was clear that there was a buzz surrounding these intimate Fleadh gigs and Ryan was delighted to be a part of the celebrations.
"It's incredible that Belfast is getting the Fleadh," he added.
"It's a very poignant moment and it's something to be super proud of so I'm happy to be here.
"I say it everywhere I go, but per square inch, [Belfast is] the most talented place in the world - not just music, poetry, filmmakers, actors, sports, it's just such a talented place.
"The food in Belfast is killer, the bars are great so to be able to put it on display for everybody is great. We get to show off what we already know and it's just really exciting."
He added that he couldn't wait to get in and take in the Fleadh energy in the city centre for himself after the show yesterday evening.
If you weren't able to get your hands on tickets to his two intimate shows, he is also set to perform once again at Custom House Square as part of the Fleadh Zone free shows.
Ryan continued: "I'm excited to see sort of how it all goes because there's so much amazing stuff on that I don't know how anybody would ever choose where to go.
"If they don't come to me, just go somewhere because there are plenty of talented people about."
Fans of the 'Belfast City' singer don't have to panic if they are unable to see him perform as part of the Fleadh Cheoil, Ryan is also set to perform later this month at a pop-up 'Gig in the Glens' event in the picturesque north coast village of Waterfoot.
Ryan described getting to follow his passion for the last 10 years as a "joy" and has loved getting to reexplore his music with some trad influence.
"This is just that rare occasion that you get to completely do something that you're not used to doing. It's just really exciting to do stuff like that.
"I hope everybody just enjoys it and understands the incredible talent on the stage behind me - they just are such good musicians that it's just so natural.
"I hope they come away understanding just how much talent there is from this part of the world."
Asked whether traditional music may find its way onto his upcoming album, Ryan confirmed to Belfast Live that it is offically done so it won't be on the second album.
"Maybe the next one, and maybe the one after that," he laughed.
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