Fleadh expected to bring more than £53 million economic boost to Belfast

The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is expected to exceed the projected £53m (€61m) economic boost to Belfast.

The latest projection was given by Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald as she welcomed hospitality representatives and tour operators to the city.

The eight-day festival, which opened on August 2 and runs until August 9, is the world’s largest celebration of Irish music and culture. This year marks the first time the event has been held in Belfast.

More than 176,000 people were in the city centre on Sunday for the opening ceremony, an increase of 95% on the same day last year.

Archibald said signals were “pointing in a positive direction” as to exceeding the projected €61m figure which her department had announced earlier this week.

“I think we have seen greater than expected numbers coming to experience the Fleadh this year, so we are anticipating that it will likely be greater than that,” she added. “We haven’t got a number on it yet, all of that will come in the evaluations post event.”

The Fleadh features more than 200 events and 180 traditional music competitions at venues, pubs and streets across the city.

Yesterday, August 6, the festival saw acts such as Kate Nash at The MAC, the Ulster Marching Bands Showcase at Titanic Slipways, Ryan McMullan at The Empire and the Comhaltas International Showcase at Ulster Hall.