Around 1.6 million people are estimated to have been in Belfast over the course of the city’s first Fleadh Cheoil na h\u00c9ireann, city officials have said.<\/p>\n
Footfall cameras across the city centre put attendance at 1,653,999 from Sunday 2 August up to yesterday, with Saturday recording the busiest day of the year to date with 289,560 visitors.<\/p>\n
The event has been described by the chief executive of Visit Belfast Gerry Lennon as a “watershed moment” for the city, which “placed it firmly on the global stage in spectacular fashion”.<\/p>\n
The numbers are double those predicted for the world\u2019s largest celebration of Irish music and culture.<\/p>\n
Music from the loyalist community and ethnic minority communities was also showcased in what has been hailed as a diverse Fleadh in the Northern Ireland capital.<\/p>\n
It will return to Belfast next summer.<\/p>\n
Public transport provider Translink counted more than 1.7 million passenger journeys across its bus and rail network during the Fleadh \u2013 620,000 additional journeys compared with the equivalent period last year.<\/p>\n
Martina Connolly, chief executive of Belfast One Business Improvement District, which released the final figures recorded by the organisation\u2019s footfall cameras, said it had been a “week like no other” for the city.<\/p>\n
She said: “This success has been a true partnership.<\/p>\n
“On behalf of my whole team at Belfast One BID, I would like to acknowledge and thank the organisers, Ards Comhaltas Ceolt\u00f3ir\u00ed \u00c9ireann and Belfast City Council, alongside the PSNI and the many partners across the city who worked tirelessly to deliver such a successful and culturally significant event.<\/p>\n
“Our business community and their teams also played a vital role, with creative activations, pop-up venues, performances and surprises, working behind the scenes to help create the vibrant, inclusive atmosphere that made the streets of Belfast come alive and drove even more visitors to the festival as a whole.<\/p>\n
“Most importantly, this success belongs to the people of Belfast. They embraced the experience, came into the city in huge numbers and created a truly positive and welcoming atmosphere.”<\/p>\n
She added: “We know there is more work to do next year to build on this success and ensure a lasting legacy.<\/p>\n
“What we have seen so far, and the excitement and hope for next year\u2019s event already, has been incredibly positive for the city.”<\/p>\n
Mr Lennon said: “Visitors throughout the Fleadh have spoken with genuine enthusiasm about the warmth of our welcome, the vibrancy of our culture and everything our city has to offer. They will return home as ambassadors for Belfast, that kind of authentic advocacy is invaluable,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Thank you to everyone whose early vision made it possible to bring this spectacular event to our city.<\/p>\n
“Its legacy is clear: the world now knows Belfast is thriving, and whenever you choose to visit, you can expect an incredible experience.”<\/p>\n
Speaking at the closing event at Belfast City Hall yesterday, Niall McClean, co-chairman of the organising committee, said the city had shone.<\/p>\n
“We\u2019ve brought every single community together and everybody has absolutely loved it,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Belfast has shone, the world has come to our doorstep, bringing the biggest numbers ever seen for a Fleadh Cheoil na h\u00c9ireann.”<\/p>\n
The Police Service of Northern Ireland described “an extremely complex and intensive policing operation” and commended the positivity of the week.<\/p>\n
Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally, who led the policing operation, said there had been “overwhelming positivity”.<\/p>\n
“Our officers and staff worked tirelessly to help deliver an event unlike anything previously seen in Northern Ireland,” he said.<\/p>\n
“The professionalism shown by our officers on the ground, who assisted with the smooth running of Fleadh Cheoil na h\u00c9ireann, is a credit to the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the communities they serve.”<\/p>\n
Listen: Head of Marketing with Visit Belfast Gavin McKenna speaks to RT\u00c9’s News at One<\/p>\n