Organisers of the Ulster Irish Dancing Championship require £20,000 in funding from Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council to hold the October event at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn.

The council closed applications for its primary funding round in December. A second round offers up to £10,000. A council director noted other funding options may arise.

An Ulster Committee spokesperson for An Chomhdhail Irish Dancing Teachers expects 3,000 dancers and 8,000 spectators. The event would promote Irish culture, music and dance in Lisburn and Castlereagh.

Sinn Fein Councillor Declan Lynch urged council support. He stated the event represents a key chance for Lisburn that might not return for six or seven years.

SDLP Councillor John Gallen called council backing straightforward. He pointed to hotel bookings by hundreds of attendees and past funding of similar events.

An economic report cited by organisers estimated a prior world championship in Belfast generated £11 million locally.