Thousands of people are gathering for the opening day of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025, which is being held in Wexford town for the second year in a row.
The Irish music festival will run for eight days, with organisers saying this year will be bigger than last year.
President Michael D Higgins will officially open the Fleadh at a ceremony on Wexford’s quay front later this afternoon, where he will address the crowd from the ‘Gig Rig’ – a specially constructed stage that will play host to hundreds of free music events over the next week.
Harpists from Ceoltóirí na Sláine performing this afternoon
Ahead of the official opening, musicians have already started playing music and a concert is taking place on the ‘Gig-Rig’.
A new music group ‘Nascnua’ is at the event after its members met at last year’s event in the town.
The group of five includes three sisters from Rosslare who met the two other musicians, Sophie and Liam, at the 2024 edition of the Fleadh.
They all play for different Comhaltas branches across Co Wexford and are part of Ceoltóirí na Sláine, the Wexford Youth Orchestra.
(L-R) Muireann Ní Chuillin, Cliodhna Ní Chuillin, Sophie Wickham, Meadhbh Ní Chuillin and Liam Stafford
Michelle Treacy, from the official Fleadh merchandise shop, said stock has already been “flying out the door” of the tent, which is situated on the quay.
Her advice to people is to get there early to make sure they get the colours and sizes they want.
Organisers expect more people than last year to attend, with 700,000 people due to visit the town for the world’s biggest traditional Irish music festival.
Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Eddie Taff said last year the 650,000 visitors who came for the Fleadh gave a €65m boost to the local economy.
Terry Byrne, Bobby Devereux, Catherine and Jacinta George are volunteering for Fleadh for the second time
He said the town has been a “hub of activity” for the last few weeks as the organisers and volunteers, local businesses and local people aim to have an even bigger and better Fleadh than last year.
There will be around 40,000 – 50,000 competitors taking part in 180 competitions over a three-day period from next Friday.
Those musicians, dancers, singers and storytellers will compete at the different venues which are located across the town.
Read more: Are you heading to the Fleadh? The story of the very first Fleadh
There will be 1,000 volunteers dressed in bright yellow t-shirts to help people find their way around Wexford town where hundreds of gigs and sessions will take place.
Visitors will also enjoy the many buskers who will entertain them on the winding, narrow streets.
Wexford County Council have a traffic management plan with diversions, street closures and park and ride routes for visitors.
There will also be extra public transport services for the duration of the festival.