Debate contribution: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026
Debate contribution by Ms Michelle O'Neill on .
- MLA
- Ms Michelle O'Neill
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 21 September 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5742095
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann really was an incredible success. It brought together people from across these islands and around the world to celebrate our music, our culture and our diversity and created an incredible atmosphere that many will remember for years to come. I was delighted, alongside the deputy First Minister, to attend the opening ceremony. There is no doubt that, from the first day, there was a real buzz about the city. You felt it no matter where you went. Belfast was thriving, and the fleadh showcased our people and our communities at their best. It was welcoming, inclusive and outward-looking. The figures speak for themselves. More than 1·6 million visitors came to Belfast during the fleadh, an increase of over 89% compared with 2025, with more than 600,000 additional journeys made on Translink services. While detailed assessments are still going on, we believe that the economic benefit has surpassed the original £50 million projection. What an achievement that is as an economic booster, as well as a moment of joy and pleasure for everybody. It was a huge boost for our tourism, hospitality and retail sectors. The Executive were determined to make the best of it and to do everything that we could to take that opportunity.
I was delighted to see the progress made by, for example, the Department for Infrastructure on late-night transport. That allowed people to travel to the fleadh, enjoy themselves, have the craic and then safely travel home. That really helped the Belfast night-time economy, and more progress is being made there. The Department for the Economy provided £1 million to support Belfast City Council and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. A further £300,000 was given to Tourism NI to maximise the impact of the fleadh. I am really delighted that the fleadh will come back next year. Look what we have to build on for next year: it is phenomenal. It was an absolutely amazing summer for that one showcase, never mind everything else that happened alongside it.
334 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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