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The opening ceremony of the Fleadh is set to begin at 12:00 BST, with the festivities extending into the evening featuring performances by Goitse, Blackwater Céilí Band, and Sharon Shannon. This event marks a significant occasion for Belfast, as highlighted by Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, who called it a “major moment” for the city. The festival’s main outdoor venue, known as the Gig Rig, will be located outside Belfast City Hall, offering free live shows daily throughout the festival.
Besides the core events happening in the city centre, the Fleadh also showcases a vibrant fringe programme. This includes over 90 community-based activities focusing on families and taking place across various neighbourhood venues throughout Belfast. Although live music and events are widespread during the week, the competitive sessions are scheduled to commence from Friday onwards.
Project lead for the Gig Rig at City Hall, Pádraig Ó Duinnín, expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming week. He remarked, “I think it is going to be a fantastic week, it is like nothing we have ever seen before.” He further emphasized the inclusive nature of the event, stating, “If you are into music, if you are not into music, if you play an instrument or sing, or if you don’t, there is something here for everybody. You won’t be able to move in the city without tripping over musicians.”
Local businesses have also been actively preparing for the influx of visitors. Michelle Downey from the Downey Group noted, “Fleadh fever has arrived in Belfast,” adding that they are “planning for St Patrick’s Day every day for eight days.” John Lavery of Fish City described a palpable “excitement in the air” and a “vibrancy” across the city, having invested tens of thousands in readiness for the event. Similarly, Emily Sparling from Peter Keegan’s Bar shared that their £60,000 investment included hiring 25 extra staff members, and that they had stocked up with 100 kegs of Guinness. Dominic Lavery from Lavery’s Bar explained that preparations spanned five to six months, anticipating “hundreds and hundreds of people” with the atmosphere expected to escalate from a typical weekend vibe into something akin to “Paddy’s day on steroids.”
For those travelling into Belfast, public transport is strongly recommended. Sean McGreevy, Belfast Area Manager at Translink, described the Fleadh as one of the largest events they have supported in recent years. He compared it to The Open golf tournament in Portrush but noted the extra complexity of having a week-long, city-wide event in a major urban area with multiple transportation networks. Visitors are encouraged to consult Translink’s website for travel planning. To accommodate participants, free shuttle buses will run from three park and ride locations: the Eikon Exhibition Centre at Sprucefield, Giant’s Park, and Belfast Harbour Estate. Throughout the festival, Metro, Glider, Ulsterbus, and train services will operate as usual, though there will be some temporary changes to bus stops near City Hall. Additionally, extra late-night bus and rail services will be available on Sunday, and again from Thursday through Sunday. Special day return bus services will also run from towns and cities across Northern Ireland, which can be booked in advance online
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