Belfast hits the ground running as businesses vie for share of £50m Fleadh economic bonanza

Belfast businesses have hit the ground running as the city prepares for a potential economic boost of more than £50 million from Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

Dozens of hospitality businesses have invested in new pop-up and outdoor areas in preparation for the eight-day event, which kicked off on Sunday, attracting up to 100,000 people into the newly pedestrianised city centre.

Businesses have already reported a strong uplift from the major footfall boost.

Stormont’s Department for the Economy anticipate the Belfast Fleadh will generate £53 million in economic benefit based on upwards of 700,000 visitors to the city this week.

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However, that could increase if Belfast can exceed the 800,000 visitors who attended the All-Ireland Fleadh in Wexford last year.

Belfast has also been confirmed as the 2027 venue for the global music festival, effectively doubling the economic impact.

Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald described Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann as a “landmark event”, stating that it “will provide a major boost for our economy, support local businesses and showcase the very best of what we have to offer”.

Belfast City Council has provided £1m in funding for the 2026 festival, but businesses have also invested millions of pounds in new hospitality spaces.

Around 100 street trading applications have been approved for the festival, along with dozens of occasional licences for pubs and restaurants.

Heineken, which has partnered with a number of city centre pub operators for the Fleadh, estimate more than one million pints of beer could be consumed in the city this week.

One of most impressive new pop-up venues is The Donegal on Donegall Street, opened by the Simpson family, who run The Lansdowne and Benedicts hotels.

Paddy Simpson said the group has invested considerable time and money into transforming 11-17 Donegall Street into a thriving hospitality complex, filled with bars, venues and live music for one week only.

“A lot of work has gone in to make this happen,” he said. “We have been overwhelmed by the response. We’ve had people from all over the world through the doors on the first day.

“So far, it seems the numbers they are expecting will be achievable.”

He said the family have longer-term plans to redevelop the building into a major new hospitality complex for the Cathedral Quarter.

Peter Ringland who co-owns Amelia Hall and The Flint Hotel in the city centre said his hospitality group invested around £60,000 in a new pop-up venture on Callender Street, hiring 25 staff for the festival.

“Day one got off to a great start with thousands of punters coming through the doors,” he said.

“It was great to see live sessions taking place inside and outside our venue.

“The city was buzzing and we can’t wait for the rest of the week!”

Belfast Night Czar Michael Stewart, who is also a director at street food venue Common Market, said hospitality businesses have rowed in behind the Fleadh with significant investment.

“Speaking to publicans, they said there’s a real feel-good factor among customers and staff, and the tills are ringing,” he said.

“It had to be at least one hundred thousand people on Sunday.

“It really does showcase on a global stage that Belfast is a major city that can host major events,” he added.

“It shows that when you collaborate, it’s win-win, but also it’s a cry to say if you can do this for the Fleadh, have we any chance of more sustained support for live music, night-time transport and the collaboration between the public and private sector?”