Dougie MacLean - St Patrick's Music Weekend 2026

Belfast TradFest is proud to present the internationally acclaimed Scottish singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean, the legendary voice behind the timeless anthem “Caledonia”, in a very special concert at Mandela Hall on Saturday 14 March 2026 as part of the Belfast St Patrick’s Music Festival 2026.

Few songs capture the spirit of home, belonging and identity quite like Caledonia. Although written on a beach in Brittany, the song’s earliest performances took place here in NI — shared informally among friends in the maternal home of celebrated Belfast harper Ursula Burns. Now, decades later, MacLean returns to the city where the song’s journey truly began, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience his music in a place intimately connected to its history.

With a career spanning more than four decades, Dougie MacLean has become one of Celtic music’s most cherished figures. His rich blend of heartfelt storytelling, soulful vocals and masterful musicianship has taken him to the world’s great stages, including Carnegie Hall, London’s Festival Theatre, and the Sydney Opera House. His emotionally charged, intimate performances continue to inspire a global following, resulting in multiple sold-out international tours.

MacLean’s songs have been recorded and reimagined by an extraordinary range of artists, including Paolo Nutini, Dolores Keane, Amy MacDonald, Ronan Keating, Cara Dillon, Mary and Frances Black, and Grammy-winner Kathy Mattea. His music has featured prominently in iconic films such as The Last of the Mohicans, as well as major BBC dramas and three full-length television specials.

Throughout his distinguished career, MacLean has shared the stage with cultural greats, from Lou Reed and James Taylor to Eddi Reader and Mavis Staples. His contribution to Scottish music has been recognised with an OBE, two Tartan Clef Awards, induction into the Scottish Music Hall of Fame, and the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award.

Join us on Saturday 14 March 2026 at Mandela Hall for an intimate, atmospheric evening with “a musical hero,” as described by The Wall Street Journal. Expect songs, stories and soulful moments that honour music, memory and the ties that bind us across seas and generations.

“...a Scottish phenomenon... with his exquisite guitar style, expressive voice and honest performance, his songs conjure up remarkably vivid imagery of our world.”

— The Performing Songwriter, USA

Tickets go on sale Fri 21st Nov 2025 10am at www.belfasttradfest.com

St. Patrick’s Music Festival is curated by Belfast TradFest as part of Belfast’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations, supported by Belfast City Council and Arts Council of Northern Ireland. 

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