The success of the first Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast has been described as a “dream come true” for organisers.
Visitor numbers were estimated to have topped one million by yesterday evening, already exceeding the 800,000 expected by tomorrow, with music and dancing filling the city centre streets.
Today saw the continuation of All-Ireland competitions with 5,000 musicians and dancers from 22 countries taking part, as well as street performances and pop-up activities Fleadh Fringe events on the outskirts of the city.
There has also been participation from musical bands from the Loyalist and Unionist traditions as well as minority ethnic communities.
President Catherine Connolly, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Bryant, First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly are among those who have attended the Fleadh in Belfast this week.
Ahead of the final day tomorrow, organisers have urged visitors to consider using public transport or park and ride facilities amid high numbers of attendees.
The streets of Belfast have been filled with musicians and dancers throughout the week
Watching the crowds pass through the Cathedral Quarter, Jim Ingram, manager of the Friend At Hand Irish whiskey shop, said the Fleadh had brought everyone together.
“Nobody knew what was going to happen,” he said.
“It’s bought everyone together, similar to when the King and Queen visited. It’s a bit like being at a wedding – we see the same business owners every day but everyone’s out hugging each other and celebrating.
“It’s just brought a nice atmosphere – we should do it more often.
“The Fleadh is coming back next year, but there is no reason why after that we couldn’t have a weekend event of our own and make it an annual thing. It would be lovely to keep it like this.”
Niall McClean, chair of Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, said the crowds have exceeded expectations
Niall McClean, chair of Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE), the host branch for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast said: “It’s been absolutely unbelievable, way beyond our expectations, the crowds from the very start have exceeded all we thought, we’re over the moon, and there is still two days to go.”
“I’ve been going to Fleadhs for 40 years and the atmosphere is always good wherever you go, but I’d been maybe a little bit sceptical with it being a complex city that it would work still – but it’s been extraordinary, the streets are full of music.
“It’s getting busier and busier and then the last day is always the highlight to see the Céilí band finish at the Gig Rig, so I think Sunday will be even bigger again – we don’t know where we’re going to put everyone.”
In terms of the Fleadh returning to Belfast next year, Mr McClean said there are always lessons to learn, but that generally events have exceeded all their expectations.
Visitor numbers to Belfast are estimated to have topped 1m by yesterday evening
“This will be hard to top when you see what has happened this week. The second year of the Fleadh is always bigger again, so I think Belfast is going to have to get an extension,” he added.
Brendan McAleer, from Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, said it had been brilliant to see people from all backgrounds coming into Belfast to enjoy the Fleadh.
He also paid tribute to the leadership from the Belfast Bands Forum bringing music from the loyalist and unionist traditions.
“It’s exceeded all expectations for us because from the very outset we wanted all communities to be involved, and that has been our goal, and I think we have achieved it with the flute bands and the leadership of the bands forum that has ensured that all communities have been able to come in, feel welcome and to engage,” he said.
The Fleadh concludes tomorrow night and will return to Belfast next year
Mr McAleer said they repeated what had been done ahead of the Fleadh when it took place in Derry in 2013, engaging with the bands forum early on.
“We asked them the question, ‘what do you want to see from the Fleadh, what can we do that will engage communities across the city’, we listened to that and put it in place,” he said.
“There’s no point in me saying ‘here’s what we are putting on for you; it’s more ‘what do you want from us, and we’ll make it happen’.
“We always wanted this to be a Fleadh for everyone, we wanted everyone in the city to feel the power of what music can do for Belfast, for Northern Ireland, for all of Ireland.
“This has been a moment, I think Belfast has been ready for it, it’s really a moment for us all.
“We have come together, we have given Belfast a taste of what it can be, we now need to build the legacy to make sure that stays.”