Debate contribution: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

Debate contribution by Ms Kate Nicholl on 14 September 2026.

MLA: Ms Kate Nicholl
Party at the time: Alliance Party
Date: 14 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Opposition Business
Heading: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5685955

Text

I welcome the motion and the leader of the Opposition's positivity. I share in much of what he said. The fleadh was amazing. There was maybe only one day on which I did not go into Belfast while it was on. The shared spirit spoke to all of us about the society that we really want to create. I will not reiterate the points that have been made, because there is so much other business today, but one thing really struck me. I grew up in Zimbabwe, so I did not have much interaction with the GAA, the Irish language and such things until I met my husband. My son has started playing Gaelic football, and, as a mum, I am sometimes quite conscious of his wearing a GAA jersey in places where he may not be accepted or may be treated differently, because we have experienced that before. However, as I walked down Royal Avenue, I saw throngs of people in GAA jerseys and Northern Ireland jerseys. That shared spirit in the city was so moving and special, and it was a sign of where we could be.
It felt like a real turning point for this place; it felt like the hope that we needed after a summer of fractures. I echo the thanks to Niall McClean and his family for bringing that wonderful thing to our city and to Belfast City Council, Translink, the volunteers, the arts groups and all the people who brought music, life, dance and song on to the streets and inspired so many people. A constituent of mine, the Belfast artist Niall Conlon, has started an Instagram music session where people are frantically trying to learn music so that they can perform next year, and that is wonderful. It is not just young people; it is older people as well. The point about funding the arts is important because it gives meaning and makes life richer and all the better, and it is something that must be celebrated and enhanced. One thing that we learned from the fleadh is that, when you build a city around people, it brings life. Therefore, pedestrianisation should be looked at seriously, and I welcome the work that the Infrastructure Minister is taking forward. That work must be done with accessibility at its heart, because a city that is not inclusive is not a city for everyone. We must make sure that those who will be impacted on are at the heart of that work. It was a wonderful week for our city, and I look forward to next year. Going by the number of people who have said that they will take the entire week off next year, I do not know what productivity will be like in the city, but it will be one big party. I am very much looking forward to it and to seeing how we enhance it across Northern Ireland.

488 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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