12/08/2026
O’Toole Calls For Action To Secure Belfast Fleadh Legacy
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA has warned that the momentum from the successful 2026 Belfast Fleadh must not be lost.
He has written to First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly setting out proposals to build on the event's impact and to inform planning for future large-scale occasions.
His recommendations include greater pedestrianisation of Belfast city centre, reform of licensing laws, enhanced public transport provision, targeted deployment of good relations funding and the creation of an annual music festival.
South Belfast MLA Matthew O'Toole said: "This past week has been extraordinary. Belfast has been transformed and the Fleadh has shown us not just the very best of our city, but the enormous potential that too often goes unrealised. More than a million people from across this island and further afield came together to celebrate music, culture and everything that is good about this place. It was glorious.
"The challenge now is to capture some of that magic and make it part of Belfast every day. A city centre with more space for people, better public transport, licensing laws fit for a modern European city and more opportunities to bring music, culture and life onto our streets. The Fleadh showed us what Belfast can be when we get these things right.
"There is clearly a huge appetite for events that bring people together and breathe life into our city. That is why I am proposing an annual music festival that builds on what we have seen this week, bringing people into Belfast and supporting our hospitality, tourism and cultural sectors.
"Too often something special happens here and we fail to build on it. That cannot be allowed that to happen this time. We have just experienced one of the most special weeks Belfast has ever seen. The ambition now has to be to take what worked, learn from it and build a better city because of it."
He has written to First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly setting out proposals to build on the event's impact and to inform planning for future large-scale occasions.
His recommendations include greater pedestrianisation of Belfast city centre, reform of licensing laws, enhanced public transport provision, targeted deployment of good relations funding and the creation of an annual music festival.
"The challenge now is to capture some of that magic and make it part of Belfast every day. A city centre with more space for people, better public transport, licensing laws fit for a modern European city and more opportunities to bring music, culture and life onto our streets. The Fleadh showed us what Belfast can be when we get these things right.
"There is clearly a huge appetite for events that bring people together and breathe life into our city. That is why I am proposing an annual music festival that builds on what we have seen this week, bringing people into Belfast and supporting our hospitality, tourism and cultural sectors.
"Too often something special happens here and we fail to build on it. That cannot be allowed that to happen this time. We have just experienced one of the most special weeks Belfast has ever seen. The ambition now has to be to take what worked, learn from it and build a better city because of it."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 August 2021
BCC Leader Questions Funding Of West Belfast Festival Over 'Pro-IRA Singing'
The DUP leader of Belfast City Council has questioned the funding of West Belfast Festival over alleged "pro-IRA singing" at one of their events. Councillor Ald Brian Kingston raised the issued after it was alleged that the crowed at a concert at the Festival chanted "ooh ah up the Ra".
BCC Leader Questions Funding Of West Belfast Festival Over 'Pro-IRA Singing'
The DUP leader of Belfast City Council has questioned the funding of West Belfast Festival over alleged "pro-IRA singing" at one of their events. Councillor Ald Brian Kingston raised the issued after it was alleged that the crowed at a concert at the Festival chanted "ooh ah up the Ra".
16 November 2023
New Spaces And Places To Redefine Belfast City Region
A new initiative to drive the development of new spaces and places that sustainably boost employment, improve tourism and cultural infrastructure, deliver homes and support community and neighbourhood regeneration has been announced, with the redefinition of the Belfast City Region.
New Spaces And Places To Redefine Belfast City Region
A new initiative to drive the development of new spaces and places that sustainably boost employment, improve tourism and cultural infrastructure, deliver homes and support community and neighbourhood regeneration has been announced, with the redefinition of the Belfast City Region.
02 March 2022
Design Ideas Sought For New Belfast Stories Site
Early career architects are being invited to pitch their creative concepts for the temporary use of a vacant site on the corner of Royal Avenue and North Street, the location for the £100m Belfast Stories tourism destination.
Design Ideas Sought For New Belfast Stories Site
Early career architects are being invited to pitch their creative concepts for the temporary use of a vacant site on the corner of Royal Avenue and North Street, the location for the £100m Belfast Stories tourism destination.
23 July 2009
Belfast 'Twelfth' Was Shopping Hit
Initial feedback on the commercial impact of Belfast shops being open over the traditional 'Twelfth' celebration has been excellent. This year's event, titled 'Orangefest' on 13 July witnessed Belfast city centre shops opening on the day of the parades for the first time.
Belfast 'Twelfth' Was Shopping Hit
Initial feedback on the commercial impact of Belfast shops being open over the traditional 'Twelfth' celebration has been excellent. This year's event, titled 'Orangefest' on 13 July witnessed Belfast city centre shops opening on the day of the parades for the first time.
12 October 2004
City Hall prepares for bookworm invasion
Belfast City Hall is preparing itself for an invasion of young bookworms later this month. Belfast City Council is teaming up with two major cultural festivals, Young at Art and the Belfast Festival at Queen’s, to open up the world of children’s literature.
City Hall prepares for bookworm invasion
Belfast City Hall is preparing itself for an invasion of young bookworms later this month. Belfast City Council is teaming up with two major cultural festivals, Young at Art and the Belfast Festival at Queen’s, to open up the world of children’s literature.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry and cloudy this morning, some patchy rain in the northwest. This afternoon will be cloudy with some light and patchy rain spreading southeast for a time. Maximum temperature 17 °C.Tonight:Clear periods across the north at first this evening. Otherwise a cloudy evening and night with outbreaks of rain spreading from the southwest. Light winds. Minimum temperature 7 °C.