Wexford hosted the largest ever attended Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann last week, but Belfast has set its sights on going bigger again next year
Lord Mayor of Belfast Cllr Tracy Kelly receiving the Harp from Eddie Taaffe (Chairman Fleadh Cheoil committee, Wexford), Cllr Joe Sullivan (cathaoirleach Wexford County Council), Mayor Cllr Garry Laffan at the handing over of the Fleadh Cheoil to Belfast on Sunday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell
Niall McClean and Mervyn MccCleery are the Chairperson and PRO respectively, of Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the Belfast branch which will bring the world’s largest annual festival of Irish traditional music and dance to the city for the first time ever in 2026.
They were both staying in Whites of Wexford, in the heart of town, and by the time we spoke on Saturday night, the end was in sight. Perhaps relief for both of them that a long, hot, relentlessly busy and enjoyable week away from home was coming to an end. But a little nervousness that Belfast’s first ever Fleadh would immediately follow the largest ever and most successful Fleadh in history.