Fleadh expected to bring £53m boost to Belfast

Staging the world's largest celebration of Irish music and culture in Belfast this week is projected to bring a £53m economic boost to the city, figures suggest.

The projection was announced by the Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald as she welcomed visitors to the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (Music Festival of Ireland).

The eight-day festival began on Sunday and is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of traditional music and dance fans to Belfast.

Stormont's Department for the Economy allocated £1m in funding to help Belfast City Council to stage the event.

Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme, Archibald explained her department was hoping that investment would produce lucrative results.

"The economic impact that has been modelled is in and around £53m, and that is additional economic impact beyond what we would see in the course of a normal August in Belfast," the Sinn Féin minister added.

"Obviously we'll see the benefits of having all of those additional visitors in Belfast.

"The investment from my own department, through Tourism NI, is to encourage people to explore Belfast but to also explore the north more widely and of course to come back again."

The Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), said the event was "worth celebrating" because of the numbers of visitors it attracts.

"But also, this is an important showcase of the city, it's culture and its music, its celebration and its competition as well," he told the BBC's Nolan Show.

Lyons pointed out that this year's Fleadh will encompass "all forms of traditional music, including the marching bands scene in Northern Ireland".

"The Belfast Bands Forum have been central to this work since it began and in fairness to the organisers, they wanted to make sure this was inclusive from an early stage."

The Fleadh attracts some of the best Irish traditional performers from all over the world, who must qualify at local level for a chance to participate in its prestigious competitions.

There are more than 180 competition categories for performers of all ages in music, singing and dance, and many young competitors are accompanied by their families.

In additional, the festival includes performances by well-known artists, informal music sessions in pubs, story-telling and dance events, Irish language workshops, food markets and family-friendly activities.

In a departmental statement, Archibald said the event was "an opportunity to invite the world to experience the warmth of our welcome" and "showcase the very best of what we have to offer".

"The Fleadh will strengthen our international profile, drive visitor spend and leave a lasting legacy for communities.

"It promises to be an exceptional week, with world‑class competitions, vibrant performances and countless informal sessions that form the beating heart of the Fleadh."