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In pictures: Belfast hosts Fleadh for the first time

News imageReuters A young girl with red hair, wearing a green velvet Irish dancing outfitReuters
News imagePacemaker A woman wearing black clothing stands with an arm outstretched. She has long dark hair, and there are more people behind her, also wearing dark clothing. Pacemaker
Carys from the Reilly School of Irish Dancing entertained crowds on the first day of the festival
Fleadh Cheoil is an annual Irish arts festival and competition run by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann - the society of the musicians of Ireland

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the largest celebration of Irish music and culture in the world, is under way in Belfast.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to descend on the city.

More than 200 events are planned across the city, alongside competitions, concerts and street performances running from 2 to 9 August.

The opening ceremony began at noon on Sunday on a specially-constructed "Gig Rig" stage in the grounds of Belfast City Hall.