THE Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Derry is on course to be the biggest ever in the history of the festival.
Police have already confirmed numbers attending the Fleadh have made it the largest event ever staged in the city and numbers this weekend are expected to far exceed 300,000. As the Fleadh reaches its climax this weekend - and with the good weather - musicians and fans of traditional music are expected to flock from across Ireland and beyond.
Momentum has been building all week but yesterday a tsunami of traditional Irish music engulfed the city with the Mardi Gras atmosphere well and truly under way.
By 5pm yesterday police were reporting that all city centre car parks were full. As thousands continued to surge to the Fleadh, police urged supporters to use park and stride and park and ride facilities on the outskirts of the city.
An unexpected feature of Fleadh Dhoire has been the engagement of the unionist and loyalist community. As well as using the Apprentice Boys' headquarters as a Fleadh venue, a number of loyalist bands have joined the musical celebrations.
On Thursday evening Ireland's oldest flute band, the Churchill Flute Band - founded in 1893 - joined the musical carnival. Fleadh marketing manager, Anne-Marie Gallagher said the Fleadh good humour was spreading throughout the city. "There's even a group of musicians playing in the middle of a roundabout outside the City Hotel - not to be recommended. "We're starting to see the real Fleadh spirit," she said.
Ms Gallagher said all evidence in terms of ticket sales and attendances earlier in the week indicated Derry would be the biggest Fleadh in history. "We're starting to see the campsites filling up and it's heading towards being, not only the biggest event ever held in Derry, but towards being the biggest event ever held in the north in terms of a public event," she said.
The Fleadh marketing manager said police had made contingency plans to deal with up to half a million people.
She said factors such as the weather would impact on numbers but it was almost certain that crowds would be in excess of 300,000.
Ms Gallagher also revealed organisers have already started talking about bringing the Fleadh back to Derry. "It would be crazy to say it's not a great thing for the city. We are looking at going for it again,"
she said.
What's on today:
n street music on ever corner. n Fleadh all Ireland competitions at north West Regional College and University of Ulster. n Fiddlers of aileach at the Glassworks (1pm). n the Clare set at Culturlann Ui Chanain (6pm). n FleadhLive at the Craft Village (8pm)
What's on sUnday
n street music on every corner. n Fleadh all Ireland competitions at north West Regional College and University of Ulster. n From derry to the sea at st Columb's Church of Ireland Cathedral (7pm). n Fleadh Closing Ceremony with the Battlefield Band Ebrington square (7pm). n Firebirds by Fidget Feet at Ebrington square (10.30pm).
n REAL FLEADH SPIRIT': Scenes from across Derry yesterday on Fleadh Friday
PICTURES: Margaret
McLaughlin