Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has announced an expanded Culture in the Park programme running over three days in September, while councillors have agreed to pursue a report on hosting a fringe Fleadh event when Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann returns to Belfast in 2027.

The Culture in the Park weekend begins on Friday 11 September at the Marketplace Theatre, Armagh, from 6pm to 9pm, with an Ulster University Flourish workshop exploring Ulster-Scots and Irish language heritage. The main outdoor event takes place on Saturday 12 September in Lurgan Park from 1pm to 5pm, featuring performances by pipe bands, Irish dancers, and Chinese and Indian dance traditions, alongside artisan market stalls, family activities and live cooking demonstrations by Food Heartland chefs. The programme concludes on Sunday 13 September at Banbridge Old Town Hall with cultural craft workshops and creative activities.

Pre-festival workshops are also available. Residents can register for Bollywood dancing (ages 12 to 50), Thai cuisine (18 and over) and Chinese brush painting (14 and over). Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis and booking is essential.

At the council’s monthly meeting on 24 August, Lurgan Alliance councillor Peter Lavery proposed that an options report be drawn up on a fringe Fleadh for the borough. He noted that Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council had held its own fringe events during the recent Fleadh, which attracted an estimated 1.6 million visitors to Belfast. He identified Lurgan as a suitable location, citing its transport links and venues such as Lurgan Park, the Town Hall and the town centre plaza. The proposal was seconded by Lord Mayor Mary O’Dowd (Sinn Féin) and supported by Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon (SDLP), who highlighted the presence of several Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann branches across the borough and asked that the report go to the Economic Development Committee. The director of development, community and wellbeing confirmed the request would be taken on board.

The Culture in the Park weekend is delivered by the council’s Community Development and Good Relations Team and funded by the TBUC District Council Good Relations Programme.