Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has confirmed a £1m funding package for the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which takes place in Belfast from August 2 to 9. The money, allocated through Tourism Northern Ireland, will help the city council deliver the event and attract over 700,000 visitors.

Belfast City Council says it expects an estimated 800,000 people to attend the world's largest Irish music and dance festival. A large car-free zone will be enforced across the city centre, stretching from the front of City Hall past Castlecourt Shopping Centre to the Ulster University campus on York Street. Dozens of streets will be closed to traffic throughout the week, with a phased closure of Donegall Square North depending on crowd levels. The peak visiting period is expected between August 6 and 9.

Visitors are urged not to drive into the city centre. Three park-and-ride sites will operate at the Eikon Exhibition Centre near the M1, Giant's Park near the M2, and Belfast Harbour near the M3. Spaces cost £10 per day and can be pre-booked from July 6. Public transport will run with minor bus stop adjustments, and NI Railways will operate a revised timetable with extra capacity.

A special policing operation will be in place. Superintendent Gavin Kirkpatrick said uniformed and plain-clothed officers will patrol key leisure and event spaces. Overnight delivery windows will be available for city centre businesses, and coaches will operate from Linenhall Street. Large shops may open at 11:00 BST on the two Sundays of the fleadh.

Official campsites are located at Ormeau Park for tents and the Titanic Quarter for caravans and camper vans. Most festival venues are within a 15-minute walk of the city centre. A food and drink village is being set up near Belfast Cathedral.

More than 400 events are planned, including headline concerts, street performances, and all-Ireland competitions. Over 1,000 volunteers will help deliver the programme. Aine Kearney of Tourism NI said the fleadh would strengthen the region's international reputation and leave a lasting legacy.

Lord Mayor Róis-Máire Donnelly said the city was working with partners to ensure readiness, and described the event as a major moment for Belfast. Labhrás Ó Murchú of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann said the fleadh would showcase traditional music, song and dance while creating new friendships and memories, as the organisation marks its 75th year.

The fleadh will return to Belfast next summer. It was previously held in Northern Ireland only once, in Derry in 2013, which drew around 400,000 people.