The All-Ireland Fleadh, the world’s largest Irish music and culture festival, concludes in Belfast on Sunday after a week of more than 200 events. Organisers now expect the festival to deliver over £53m to the local economy, and footfall cameras recorded 900,020 city-centre visits up to Thursday, with totals forecast to exceed one million. The final day features performances at Belfast City Hall from 18:00 BST, opening with Niamh Noade and closing at midnight with the Senior Céilí Band winners.
All-Ireland Fleadh In Belfast Concludes After Record Week — Organisers Project More Than £53M Boost
Week-long celebration of Irish music and culture to come to a close
The All-Ireland Fleadh — the world’s largest celebration of Irish music and culture — draws to a close on Sunday after a week of more than 200 events staged across Belfast. This year marked the first time the city hosted the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and organisers say it may be the biggest Fleadh on record.
Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said the festival is now expected to deliver an economic boost in excess of £53 million to Belfast. Martina Connolly, chief executive of the Belfast One Business Improvement District, reported that footfall cameras across six city-centre locations recorded 900,020 visitors up to Thursday, with totals forecast to pass one million by the end of Friday.
"Since the beginning of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, our Belfast One footfall cameras have recorded 900,020 visitors in the city centre up to Thursday," said Martina Connolly.
Throughout the week Belfast was alive with traditional music, street performances and competitions. From buskers playing the bodhrán to fiddlers and céilí bands, the city hosted open sessions, interactive workshops, dance classes and pop-up pubs that invited visitors to join in or try new skills.
Final Day Highlights
The festival’s final day features a packed programme at Belfast City Hall and across the city centre. Acts scheduled at City Hall include Áirdan, Seoid and Celtic Roots. The closing ceremony starts at 18:00 BST with a performance from singer-songwriter and harpist Niamh Noade and will conclude at midnight with the winners of the Senior Céilí Band Competition.
- Exhibitions: The Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen's University is hosting "Something to Say," an exhibition exploring the friendship and collaboration between Seamus Heaney and David Hammond.
- Markets & Workshops: An Irish-language craft and culture market runs at Conway Mill alongside workshops and arts activities across multiple venues.
- The MAC: Hosted a dedicated Irish Language Hub during the week and a performance by singer Kate Nash.
Competitions, Crowds And Volunteers
More than 180 competition categories ran during the Fleadh, covering solo instruments, marching bands, céilí dancing and more. Organisers estimate the opening ceremony at Belfast City Hall drew over 176,000 people. More than 1,300 volunteers supported the festival, providing directions, information and practical help — some travelling from as far as Florida and France to assist.
The Fleadh’s arrival in Belfast combined large-scale public performances, community-led sessions and a significant economic impact, leaving the city poised for a busy final day of music and culture before the festival closes.
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