Belfast begins planning for Fleadh 2027 after 1.6m footfall and £54m-plus economic boost
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Brendan McAleer, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Diaspora and International Development Officer, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, and Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins pictured before a meeting of partners and stakeholders involved in delivering Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026.
Monday 21 September 2026
Belfast is already turning its attention to an even bigger Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2027 after this summer’s event brought more than 1.6 million recorded visits to the city centre and is expected to deliver at least £54 million in economic benefit.
The eight-day celebration of traditional Irish music, song, dance and culture will return to Belfast from 1–8 August 2027, with government, council, tourism and cultural partners now examining what worked this year and where improvements can be made.
The 2026 Fleadh was the first to be hosted in Belfast and far exceeded expectations. Belfast One BID cameras recorded city-centre footfall of 1,653,999 between 2 and 9 August — more than double the 800,000-plus originally anticipated.
Planning starts for 2027
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald and Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins have led a meeting of key organisations involved in delivering the 2026 event, hosted by Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly.
The meeting brought together representatives from government, tourism and cultural organisations to assess the impact of this year’s Fleadh, consider lessons from its delivery and begin preparations for its return next August.
Minister Archibald said:
“Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 was a landmark event, celebrating Irish music, language and culture while delivering significant benefits for tourism, local businesses and communities.
“It’s demonstrated what can be achieved through strong partnership working and today was an opportunity to thank everyone who helped make the Fleadh such a success, learn from their experience and begin looking ahead to 2027.
“Our collective aim is to make next year’s Fleadh even bigger and better, and I am committed to working with our partners to build on this year’s tremendous success and maximise the benefits for our economy and communities.”
Transport and city-centre lessons
The scale of this summer’s event required significant changes to transport and traffic management, including temporary pedestrianisation in Belfast city centre and additional public transport services.
Translink recorded more than 1.7 million passenger journeys across its bus and rail network during Fleadh week — around 620,000 more than during the equivalent period in 2025.
Minister Kimmins said:
“Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 showcased Belfast at its very best. It brought significant cultural, social and economic benefits, attracted visitors from across Ireland and beyond, and demonstrated what can be achieved when organisations work together towards a common goal.
“My Department was pleased to play its part in supporting the safe and efficient movement of people throughout the event. From delivering significant traffic management plans, including temporary pedestrianisation of the city centre, to the increased public transport services provided by Translink ensuring people got into the city and back home safely.
“The Fleadh will have a lasting legacy for Belfast and as the city once again prepares to host in 2027 we will now reflect on what worked well and identify if we can make any improvements to build on that success.”
Full economic impact still to come
While the headline figures underline the scale of the event, its final economic impact has not yet been established. Tourism NI and Belfast City Council are continuing work to assess the results, with an initial economic impact report expected before the end of the year.
The event is currently expected to generate at least £54 million in economic benefit. Earlier this month, Minister Archibald told the Northern Ireland Assembly that initial indicators were “extremely positive” and that the eventual direct economic benefit was expected to exceed the original £54 million estimate.
Lord Mayor looks to August 2027
Lord Mayor Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly said:
“It was great to take the opportunity today to share our experiences of co-ordinating and delivering such a large-scale event and to discuss how we can work together with all partners as we look ahead to 1-8 August 2027.
“Our council teams worked incredibly hard to deliver a Fleadh which will live long in the memory, together with our partners at Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Ards CCÉ.
“Co-operation and input from our musicians, city centre partners, local businesses, the creative, tourism and hospitality sectors, sponsors and all our statutory agencies was also vital – go raibh míle maith agaibh to everyone who got behind our bid to bring Fleadh to Béal Feirste and helped to make it such a huge success.
“Agus muid ag tabhairt aghaigh ar an bhliain seo chugainn, tá sé iontach go raibh muid in ann teacht le chéile leis na deiseanna agus féidearthachtaí do Fhleadh 2027.
“While our plans for 2027 are still in development, I’m delighted to see such enthusiasm and excitement for next year’s event from all those around the table.”
Belfast will now have less than a year to prepare for another eight days of competitions, performances and cultural events. Detailed plans remain in development, but the dates are confirmed: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will return to the city from Sunday 1 August to Sunday 8 August 2027.
