Latest news with #LabhrásÓMurchú
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Full steam ahead for Fleadh Cheoil 2025 as Wexford aims to attract 700,000 visitors
Wexford People Today at 19:00 It was an altogether quiet affair this year as Wexford County Council hosted information evenings around Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann at its headquarters. Last year's information sessions, taking place in the backdrop of a local election campaign, proved a lot more contentious, even sparking a war of words between sitting councillors and election hopefuls. It also saw a much larger attendance, with the Wexford public not fully aware of what to expect from the town hosting the Fleadh. Following last year's meeting, some took to social media to call the planning of the massive event as 'a farce', expressing concerns that residents in the likes of Crossabeg and Castlebridge would be left stranded and that people would be unable to access GP and hospital services. However, such apprehensions seem to have fizzled in the wake of the success of last year's event and this year's information sessions saw only around 30 business owners and 15 town residents attend the information meeting over the course of a day at county hall. "I think in general, everyone was pretty happy with how things went last year," Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Eddie Taaffe said. "There were a few minor suggestions and tweaks put forward by those in attendance and we hope to address those in the weeks ahead.' According to garda estimates, a record-breaking 650,000 people from all over Ireland and the world attended last year's Fleadh Cheoil which was described by Ardstiúrthóir of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Labhrás Ó Murchú as 'one of the greatest Fleadhs of all time'. Mr Taaffe confirmed that organisers in Wexford are expecting this year's Fleadh to break attendance records once again. "Generally speaking, on the second year of a town hosting a Fleadh, you factor in an additional 10% in terms of attendance,' he said. 'With that in mind, we think we could push to around 700,000 people over the eight days this year.'
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Belfast to host All-Ireland music festival in 2026
The world's largest festival of Irish music and dance is to take place in Belfast in 2026. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann - the All-Ireland Fleadh - is held for a week during August and, in the past, has welcomed up to 600,000 visitors to the host town or city. Organisers Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Belfast City Council officially made the announcement at an event in City Hall on Saturday. It will be the second time the event will be held in Northern Ireland. In 2013 Londonderry hosted the event, attracting an estimated 400,000 people and 20,000 performers. At the 2024 All-Ireland Fleadh in Wexford, more than 500,000 people visited and more than 1,500 people took part. The 2025 event is scheduled to take place between 3 -10 August in Wexford. Dr Labhrás Ó Murchú, the director general of Comhaltas, told BBC News NI he has "been looking forward to this for many years". "It is the Olympics of culture and friendship, and with Comhaltas organised across 22 countries worldwide, I believe this will be one of the greatest gatherings of all time. "The fleadh belongs to everyone and everybody will put their own mark on it." The chairperson of Ards Comhaltas has described the announcement as a "historic day for Belfast" and a "historic day for the north". Niall McClean said Belfast is the ideal city to host "For the event, this city has got everything; the venues are incredible, and the streets will be buzzing with music." Fleadh Cheoil is an annual Irish arts festival and competition run by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann - the society of the musicians of Ireland. The organisation was founded in 1951 by traditional musicians and Gaelic culture advocates from across Ireland. They sought to enhance traditional Irish music, dance and language in Ireland. Each year Comhaltas hosts numerous fleadhanna (festivals) across the island at county and provincial level. In oversea regions where fleadhanna are also held they are sometimes known as "Féilte". The best-known of these festivals is Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, often simply known as the Fleadh. Festival 'could bring Irish music to chip shops' Fleadh showcase for Irish culture in Derry New generation inspired to take up traditional music
BBC News
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Fleadh Cheoil: Belfast to host Irish music festival in 2026
The world's largest festival of Irish music and dance is to take place in Belfast in Cheoil na hÉireann - the All-Ireland Fleadh - is held for a week during August and, in the past, has welcomed up to 600,000 visitors to the host town or Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Belfast City Council officially made the announcement at an event in City Hall on will be the second time the event will be held in Northern Ireland. In 2013 Londonderry hosted the event, attracting an estimated 400,000 people and 20,000 the 2024 All-Ireland Fleadh in Wexford, more than 500,000 people visited and more than 1,500 people took 2025 event is scheduled to take place between 3 -10 August in Wexford. Dr Labhrás Ó Murchú, the director general of Comhaltas, told BBC News NI he has "been looking forward to this for many years". "It is the Olympics of culture and friendship, and with Comhaltas organised across 22 countries worldwide, I believe this will be one of the greatest gatherings of all time."The fleadh belongs to everyone and everybody will put their own mark on it." The chairperson of Ards Comhaltas has described the announcement as a "historic day for Belfast" and a "historic day for the north".Niall McClean said Belfast is the ideal city to host"For the event, this city has got everything; the venues are incredible, and the streets will be buzzing with music." What is the Fleadh Cheoil? Fleadh Cheoil is an annual Irish arts festival and competition run by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann - the society of the musicians of organisation was founded in 1951 by traditional musicians and Gaelic culture advocates from across sought to enhance traditional Irish music, dance and language in year Comhaltas hosts numerous fleadhanna (festivals) across the island at county and provincial oversea regions where fleadhanna are also held they are sometimes known as "Féilte". The best-known of these festivals is Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, often simply known as the Fleadh.
