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The inaugural All Ireland Fleadh held in Belfast concluded in the early hours of Monday, with organisers expressing their delight at the overwhelmingly positive reception from people across all communities. Over the course of the eight-day festival, the city centre welcomed an estimated attendance exceeding one million visitors. Even at 1:00 am BST, many remained gathered within the Belfast City Hall grounds to hear the final speeches and musical performances.
Niall McClean, who co-chairs the event’s organising committee, described the occasion as historic, highlighting its unprecedented scale and community spirit. Reflecting on the experience, he stated, “We’ve done something that has never, ever happened in this city before. We’ve brought every single community together – and everybody has absolutely loved it.” McClean also shared his happiness about the event’s success, saying, “It has put a permanent smile on my face. I’m the happiest man in Belfast. Roll on 2027.” He praised the collaboration and enthusiasm surrounding the festival, ending his remarks to enthusiastic applause with, “Well done Belfast, we’ll see you next year.” The Fleadh is scheduled to return to Belfast from 1 to 8 August 2027.
Dr Labhrás Ó Murchú, director general of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the organisation responsible for the All Ireland Fleadh, described this year’s event as nothing short of a “miracle.” He explained to attendees, “I hope that when you go back (home), you’ll bring with you not just the memories but you’ll tell people that you were part of – and you witnessed and you experienced – a miracle here in Belfast this week. Because it was a miracle, a miracle of music, a miracle of friendship, a miracle of creativity.” The festival showcased a wide variety of performances, including the final act by the Lissadell Céilí Band, winners of the senior Céilí band competition, along with appearances by the Campbell College Bugles, Pipes and Drums, and Bangor singer Foy Vance. The Lord Mayor of Belfast, councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, officially closed the eight-day event, which was jointly hosted by Belfast City Council, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, and Ards CCÉ.
Reflecting on the success, the Lord Mayor said, “Words cannot do justice to how proud I am of this city and the magic that it has produced over the last eight days.” She praised the city’s spirit and the unifying power of music, calling the event a “watershed moment” that symbolizes Belfast’s strength and ambitious future. John Walsh, Chief Executive of Belfast City Council, also expressed his enthusiasm, noting that bringing the Fleadh to Belfast “has been a long time in the making” and that the memories created would endure. He thanked volunteers, performers, and residents who contributed to the occasion’s success, extending an invitation to attend again in 2027. Dr Ó Murchú echoed the sentiment, calling the event “unprecedented” and said the city had opened its doors and hearts to visitors worldwide, making Belfast “the envy of the world.”
In light of the positive experience with city centre pedestrianisation during the festival, there have been calls to consider making this change permanent. Representatives from the Alliance Party have petitioned for a “comprehensive review of pedestrianisation” in Belfast city centre. MLA Kate Nicholl remarked that the Fleadh demonstrated “Belfast at its best, open, welcoming and full of life,” and stressed that designing streets for people rather than traffic makes the city centre more attractive and beneficial for businesses and civic pride. However, she emphasized that any expansion must carefully consider accessibility needs from the outset, including provisions for disabled parking, accessible drop-off points, public transport connectivity, and wayfinding. Green Party councillor Brian Smyth noted that the festival’s success relied heavily on pedestrianised spaces, suggesting that the concept is gaining broader acceptance.
Despite this enthusiasm, some disability advocacy groups have expressed concerns. Disabled People Against Cuts Northern Ireland (DPAC NI) warned that past experiences have shown disabled people often bear the brunt of such changes. Dermot Devlin, a spokesperson for DPAC NI, highlighted the challenges faced by those who can only walk or wheel
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