Fleadh 2027 ‘will be even bigger’, says Bryant on final day of event in Belfast

By Rebecca Black, Press Association

Next year’s Fleadh will be an “even bigger success” when it returns to Belfast, according to Chris Bryant.

More than a million people are estimated to have attended this year’s event, the first Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann hosted by Belfast

Sunday will see the conclusion of All-Ireland competitions with 5,000 musicians and dancers from 22 countries taking part in 180 categories.

They will end with the Senior Céilí Bands competition at the ICC/Belfast Waterfront Hall at 5.30pm. The winning senior Céilí band will take to the Gig Rig for a finale performance.

Street performances across the city centre and Fleadh Fringe events on the outskirts will continue through the final day.

The week-long event has also featured bands from the Loyalist and Unionist traditions in Northern Ireland as well as minority ethnic communities.

President Catherine Connolly, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Secretary of State Bryant, First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have been among the hundreds of thousands of attendees.

On Sunday morning Sir Chris congratulated the Fleadh organisers in a message on the social media network X.

“Many congratulations to everyone involved in the Fleadh’s first showing in Belfast which has defied expectations showcasing an amazingly talented and welcoming city,” he wrote.

“I predict next year will be an even bigger success once those who missed out this year book!”