Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann concluded in Belfast on Sunday night, with organisers confirming that footfall in the city centre exceeded 1.6 million people across the eight-day festival. Cameras operated by Belfast One Business Improvement District recorded 1,653,999 visitors between 2 and 9 August, with Saturday 8 August the busiest day at 289,560. The festival will return to Belfast from 1 to 8 August 2027, again hosted by Belfast City Council, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Ards CCÉ.

The final event at Belfast City Hall drew a crowd of at least 4,000 people who remained until 01:00 BST for closing speeches and a performance by the Lissadell Céilí Band, winners of the senior Céilí band competition. Earlier acts included Campbell College Bugles, Pipes and Drums, Bangor singer Foy Vance and a showcase from host branch Ards CCÉ.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, described the Fleadh as a watershed moment for the city, adding that it had surpassed all expectations. Niall McClean, Chair of Ards CCÉ and co-chair of the Fleadh Executive Committee, said the event brought the biggest numbers ever seen for a Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and had drawn every community together. Dr Labhrás O Murchú, Ardstiúrthóir of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, called the week unprecedented. John Walsh, Chief Executive of Belfast City Council and co-chair of the committee, thanked residents, volunteers, council staff and partner agencies, including the PSNI, Translink, Visit Belfast, Tourism Northern Ireland, the Department for Infrastructure, the Department for the Economy, Volunteer Now and St John Ambulance.

Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, who led the policing operation, said officers assisted with traffic and transport planning and ensured public safety. He stated that footfall exceeded one million and described the operation as complex and intensive.

Stormont economy minister Caoimhe Archibald said a full economic evaluation would be completed in the coming weeks. Previous assessments had suggested the festival would bring an additional £53 million into the local economy.

The creation of a large pedestrianised zone in the city centre during the Fleadh prompted calls for a permanent review. Alliance Party representatives across Belfast wrote to the council, the Department for Infrastructure, the Department for Communities and Translink, seeking a comprehensive review. South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl argued that any expansion must be designed with disabled people and accessibility organisations from the outset. Infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins indicated she would support permanent pedestrianisation if it served the community. Dermot Devlin, spokesperson for Disabled People Against Cuts Northern Ireland, warned that further pedestrianisation without significant mitigation would exclude many disabled people from the city centre.

Translink reported more than 1.7 million passenger journeys during the festival, an increase of 620,000 on the same period last year. Chief executive Gerard Carlin said there had been periods of exceptionally high demand but that teams adapted and planning for 2027 had already begun.

Donal O’Connor, co-founder of Belfast Tradfest, said his festival received £37,000 in council funding this year and employed 1,000 mostly local musicians, attracting an audience of over 50,000 from 40 countries. He called for sustained investment in traditional arts, noting that demand for learning is surging.