Fears over cost have cast cloud over Cork's hopes of hosting Fleadh Cheoil

There has been a setback to hopes of the city hosting Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, over fears of what it would cost Cork City Council.

Despite hopes that the annual music festival could potentially bring millions of euro into the city,  the City Council said this week that there would be a “significant cost” to the local authority, which could not be recouped.

Fianna Fáil councillor Terry Coleman put a query to the council executive at the most recent council meeting.

“As this is time sensitive, is Cork City Council now in a position to actively begin the process of implementing a plan to pursue the possibility and viability of making a submission to host Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann?” he asked.

Cormac Ó Súilleabháin, the council’s director of city centre development and operations said: “Cork city would be a fantastic location to host the Fleadh in 2028 and Cork City Council is very strongly of the view that there is not a better location in Ireland.

“Indeed, given the growth in popularity of the Fleadh in recent years it is considered that Cork City is one of only a limited number of cities that could successfully deliver an event of this scale.” 

He confirmed that the Council is currently considering the feasibility of hosting the Fleadh in 2028, but said that at this stage of the process “two significant constraints have been identified”.

There has been cross-party support for Cork City Council to apply to host the festival, with the matter first raised last year by Fine Gael’s Shane O’Callaghan, who said more than €100m could be generated for Cork’s economy by the event.

But Mr Ó Súilleabháin said: “Significant cost will be incurred by Cork City Council in hosting the event, with the significant economic benefit arising being realised by local businesses and the exchequer. This increase in exchequer return will not be available to the local authority to cover the considerable cost of hosting this international celebration of Irish culture," he said.

He added: “The Fleadh Cheoil is awarded through a competitive bid process with the successful applicant being informed at the end of Q1 in 2027. As Budget 2027 preparations progress, a clearer picture will emerge as to how and if the City Council can fund such a major event in the city."

He pointed out that the required funding would need to be budgeted for, across a number of budget cycles.

“If successful, Cork City Council would incur not insignificant costs in 2027 including the payment of €450,000 to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann – the first instalment of a €550,000 advance levy.” 

He said that members would be updated on the outcome of this feasibility process once complete, adding that the deadline for completed applications is December 1.

Belfast hosted the festival this year, and is set to hold it again next year. This is expected to deliver up to €177m for the city, in benefits to local businesses, significantly exceeding initial projections.