A bid to boost the borough by tapping into the spin-off potential of Belfast hosting the All-Ireland Fleadh disintegrated instead into a dispute over protocol and standing orders.
Belfast was this week confirmed as hosts of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann for the first time, with it due to take place from Sunday to Sunday, August 2 to 9, 2026. And it will be do likewise in 2027, having been chosen for a two-year run.
The Fleadh is an event which is expected to draw 800,000 visitors to enjoy the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture.
Belfast City Council hailed it as “a major economic and cultural moment for the city – and a significant opportunity for local businesses and organisations”.
And SDLP Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon wanted to cast a net and see if the borough could catch a little of the buzz and bucks!
He raised the matter under ‘any other business’ at the end of Tuesday’s economic development and regeneration committee.
“The Fleadh is one of the largest cultural festivals on this island, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and delivering a significant economic and cultural boost to the host city and the surrounding areas,” said Councillor O’Hanlon.
“Whilst Belfast is the main host, I believe there’s a real opportunity for our own borough to benefit from the wider bounce the event will generate in terms of tourism, hospitality, local businesses and cultural participation.
“I’d ask that officers investigate what opportunities exist for our own council area to attract visitors maybe travelling to the Fleadh and then also showcase our own rich musical, cultural and heritage assets.
“In particular, I’d like officers to explore whether there’s a programme of complementary events that could be developed around the time of the Fleadh.”
Flagging up potential “local partners” in Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, with local branches, schools and arts groups, he added: “I’d ask that the team bring back a report that we could consider at the earliest opportunity.”
With the request made, the fly in the ointment soon floated to the surface.
Paul Tamati, director of development and community and wellbeing, said if it was for 2026, he was “conscious of budgets” that had already been set.
But he added: “We’re happy to explore the options and bring a report back.”
It was DUP Alderman Mark Baxter who questioned the process, saying: “I’m just conscious that AOB items can’t really commit the council to spend.”
He questioned any expenditure involving a report “given the budgetary concerns this year”, and added: “It wouldn’t be for this year anyway.”
Brian Johnston, head of tourism, arts and culture, attempted to offer some hope to Councillor O’Hanlon in his quest, when he explained: “For 2026, Tourism NI have launched an initiative of joint marketing and promotion in terms of the opportunities around the Fleadh.
“We have been previously requested and again by some members and we have engaged with that. Again, it’s with a view to particularly filling bed spaces in the borough, and again, from a hospitality point of view, as those are the two main beneficiaries. Particularly the likes of Lurgen, where you have a direct train link and all that. We have been working with Tourism NI in that regard at no real additional cost.”
But in terms to question raised over how the request to explore came forward, Mr Tamati had added: “We’ll go and look at the report and clarify around AOB items. There may be opportunities, external funding, those sorts of things, but let us explore that, and obviously, we wouldn’t want to breach any standing orders around those things.”
Councillor O’Hanlon, meanwhile, stated: “I’m aware of standing orders and didn’t ask for any spend. I asked for a report.”
But Councillor Baxter came back and challenged: “You might want to go and read them again, because reports cost money and reports cost officer time, and whenever the director’s already said that, in terms of the 2026 estimates process, it falls outside of that.”
The DUP man queried protocol on such matters.
“In terms of standing orders, it sits outside of that as well. So it’s just really from a process point of view,” added Councillor Baxter.
“A request like that really should come in a notice a motion. Maybe Councillor O’Hanlon wants to go and read the standing orders before he comes back to full council.”
