Belfast's DUP Lord Mayor says next year's Fleadh will have ‘a few twists'
Speaking on the TG4 broadcast, the DUP's Tracy Kelly acknowledged that Belfast will have 'big shoes to fill' in 2026.
'From what I have been over the last couple of days, Belfast has big shoes to fill,' the Lord Mayor said, as she was quizzed by musician and presenter, Doireann NíGhlacáin.
'[It's] absolutely fantastic what I have witnessed here today and last night, and we do have big shoes to fill, but we are looking forward to it.
'It is still in the planning stage. But yes, there is lots of different traditions in Belfast's music, so we are really looking forward to having a little bit of a twist to the Fleadh this year.'
Offering advice to the DUP councillor was CEO of Wexford County Council, Eddie Taaffe.
'Start planning early, it is a huge job, but we will give them every help that we can,' he advised Ms Kelly.
'And we have had two fantastic Fleadhs here in Wexford, a huge team behind it, a mountain of work, but we are really privileged to do it.
'We would have every confidence that, from what we have seen from the people in Belfast, it will be a fantastic Fleadh.'
During the event, Ms Kelly accepted the Fleadh harp on behalf of the city in line with the long-running tradition which signifies a gesture of friendship and goodwill.
Organisers Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann announced Belfast as the next host back in March.
The last time the historic celebration was hosted in NI was in 2013 when it drew around 430,000 people onto the streets of Londonderry and hailed as the 'biggest ever' Fleadh.
A world record was broken at the time, when 2,500 people – including Eamonn Holmes – took part in Riverdance in Ebrington Square.
'Having hosted the Fleadh in both 2024 and 2025, Wexford will prove a very hard act to follow, but Belfast is delighted to take up the baton and really ramp up our preparations for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 – let the countdown begin,' the mayor said.
'I am delighted and honoured to receive the Fleadh harp for our year ahead, on behalf of the citizens of Belfast.
'The festival gives us an opportunity to showcase our city as a superb cultural destination and we're ready, along with our city partners, to give everyone a huge welcome.
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'The benefits that the Fleadh will bring to Belfast can't be underestimated. We're expecting hundreds of thousands of people to travel for a week of music, fun and friendship, and it will be a momentous event for all our residents, visitors and businesses, with plenty of opportunities for everyone to come along, get involved and celebrate our people and our city, together.'
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