A nine-year-old singer from west Belfast has attracted worldwide attention after performing the traditional Irish folk ballad “Spancill Hill” at Belfast’s inaugural Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The performance was shared widely online and led members of the public and businesses to offer Daniel Kavanagh a guitar and free singing lessons.
The story was published by Armagh Journal on 22 August 2026 at 21:00 and updated on 23 August 2026 at 17:28. Although it may interest readers across Northern Ireland, the supplied report is about Belfast and does not identify an event or development in Armagh.
Performance sparks offers of support
Footage of Daniel singing was watched by thousands of people around the world. His father, Dan Anthony, was contacted by people offering practical support as Daniel continues developing as a singer.
The family said some of those who got in touch also encouraged Daniel to keep the money he had earned while performing. The offers followed Daniel’s original plan to busk in Belfast city centre to raise enough money to buy a guitar.
His father said Daniel’s busking performances raised hundreds during Fleadh week. The performances also allowed him to meet people from across Ireland and beyond, turning his attempt to save for a musical instrument into a story that reached audiences far beyond Belfast.
From Belfast streets to the Fleadh stage
Daniel had repeatedly asked to sing on Belfast’s streets before his mother helped gather a small crowd to hear him perform. He returned throughout Fleadh week, singing to audiences and performing alongside more experienced adult musicians in some of the event’s main tents.
The video that spread online was recorded during the inaugural Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast. The event gave Daniel a platform to perform and prompted the offers of musical support after the footage reached viewers around the world.
Family influence and ambitions
Anthony described his son as an “old soul” in a young body and said Daniel sings with passion. He recalled Daniel reading song lyrics and quickly singing them back, saying he had recognised his son’s ability with words for some time.
Daniel said his “daddy, nanny, mummy and granda” had sung to him when he was younger, helping inspire his interest in music. Asked about his ambitions, he said he wanted to become a hurler, a Gaelic player and “probably a musician”.
The family is already looking towards next year’s Fleadh, when Daniel is expected to return with a microphone. Anthony described the week as an “unreal experience” and said it was the best thing that had happened to Belfast.
