Fleadh visitor numbers to Belfast expected pass one million by Friday
By Rebecca Black, Press Association
The success of the first Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast has been hailed as visitor numbers are expected to pass one million by Friday night.
It surpasses the initial predictions of 800,000 visitors for the whole week of the world’s largest celebration of Irish culture and music.
Stormont Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said her officials are also expecting the economic boost to be greater than the previously predicted £53 million figure.
President Catherine Connolly, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Secretary of State Chris Bryant, First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly are among the hundreds of thousands in the Northern Ireland capital.
It has included performances from Loyalist marching bands and minority ethnic groups as well as traditional Irish music and dance.
Friday saw the start of the Fleadh competitions with more than 5,000 competitors from 22 countries vying for All-Ireland titles in music, dancing and sean nós singing.
Initial estimates of visitor numbers to the event, which was expected to attract 800,000 across the weekend indicate that was already surpassed by Thursday.
Some 176,462 visitors were recorded on Sunday for the opening ceremony – an increase of 95% on the same day last year.
There were 165,077 visitors on Monday, 162,015 on Tuesday and 169,296 on Wednesday before jumping to 227,170 on Thursday.
The past five days have brought huge energy, talent and craic into Belfast, showing us the potential of the city to attract events with a worldwide scope.
Martina Connolly, CEO of Belfast One Business Improvement District (BID), said they expect the overall visitor number to pass one million by the end of Friday.
She said the numbers have been recorded by footfall cameras at six locations across one square mile of the city including Ann Street, Castle Street, Donegall Place, Royal Avenue, Corn Market and Fountain Street
“Since the beginning of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, our Belfast One footfall cameras have recorded 900,020 visitors in the city centre up to Thursday 6th August, exceeding expectations and putting numbers on track to pass the one million mark in our area by the end of today, the first of the three biggest days for the Fleadh as the main competitions kick off and even more visitors arrive to soak up the atmosphere,” she said.
“The busiest day so far, Thursday, saw 227,170 visitors recorded within our remit alone, which covers many of the key areas where the festival is taking place.”
She added: “The past five days have brought huge energy, talent and craic into Belfast, showing us the potential of the city to attract events with a worldwide scope, which has been wonderful to see for organisers, performers, businesses and visitors alike.”
