18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Organisers of Wexford Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann announce major change for this year's event
With the Fleadh set to depart for Belfast in 2026, the Wexford Fleadh Committee is keen to leave the best impression possible that will live long in the memories of those in attendance – hopefully a record-breaking 700,000 people this year.
In the wake of last year's success, Chair of the Fleadh Executive Committee Eddie Taaffe vowed to carry out a thorough debrief and tweak anything that required it ahead of August 2025.
One significant piece of feedback emerging from last year was around The Dome setup in Clonard Church car park, which hosted the Fleadh's showpiece event – the Senior All-Ireland Céilí Band Competition.
Many Fleadh-goers felt that Clonard was just too far out from the main hub of activity, while others raised issues around the sound in the huge, purpose built temporary structure. At this week's meeting of the Wexford Borough District, Mr Taaffe confirmed that the committee would be addressing those concerns this year.
"We won't be using the large marquee in Clonard this year,' he said. 'We've decided instead to relocate the Senior Céilí band competition to the tent which will host the Breakwater Festival at the far side of the bridge.
"It will offer an increased capacity and it makes sense that we can use the venue of the Sunday. We're currently in discussions with the operator there as to how everything will work.'
Sinn Féin councillor Tom Forde was curious as to the structure of the deal with Lantern Events, the company behind The Breakwater Festival.
"Are we getting the use of the Breakwater marquee free of charge, or has a deal been struck?' he asked.
"There are certain requirements,' Mr Taaffe replied. 'The Céilí band competition needs to be fully seated and there are also audio-visual requirements as it has to be streamed online. There will be additional costs arising from this. Seating costs will be significant. It's still more cost effective than another venue though. We'll be looking to share those costs with the operator.'
Independent councillor Leonard Kelly followed up by asking if Lantern Events pay to use the council-owned land at the far side of the bridge for The Breakwater Festival.
"We charge a nominal fee only," Mr Taaffe replied. 'We're keen to get business into the town. We don't charge for activities on the quay either. Events like this are a huge economic driver into the town and when we don't incur any costs, I don't see why we would charge the operators.
"There is a small charge on the quay for vendors during the Fleadh, for example, because we provide them with power etc.'
As well as the relocation of the Senior Céilí Band Competition, Mr Taaffe also revealed that there will be a new stage set up to the rear of St Iberius Church at Church Lane Car Park, which will see acts performing most likely from Thursday to Sunday.
"There was a huge demand for slots to perform on the main gig rig stage,' he said. 'We wanted to create a bit more opportunity for local groups and smaller acts to perform.
"We have roughly 110 slots for performers on the main gig rig on the quay. We had over 400 applications, so there were lots of people disappointed. Hopefully, we'll be able to give a lot of acts another shot at it by performing on this additional stage.'
Mr Taaffe also confirmed changes to parking arrangements this year. Last year, the old Timber Provider's yard at Redmond Road had been set aside for parking for those working in town for the duration of the Fleadh.
This year, he revealed that this site will be set aside entirely for accessible parking. For workers, park n' ride facilities will be available from car parks at the outskirts of town from 7.30 a.m. and passes will be available for purchase by employers in the coming weeks.
