Council faces controversy over holding Fleadh and Ulster Pipe competition in Bangor on the same day
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 celebrated at Commercial Court Belfast(Image: )
A DUP Councillor has said a Fleadh Cheoil fringe event being held this summer in Bangor will “create ill feeling” and added the people of Ards and North Down were being “bounced into” paying up to £40,000 to hold the event.
Last week Ards and North Down Borough Council saw controversy after it was revealed that a Fleadh Fringe was planned for Holborn Square car park, Bangor on Saturday August 1, the same day as the 73rd Ulster Championships of the Pipe Bands by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association NI, which will be held at Ward Park, Bangor.
A report for the council’s Place and Prosperity Committee stated the local authority would have a budget of £36,700 to spend on the Pipe Bands event, and up to £40,000 for the Fringe Fleadh event, subject to rates setting and procurement.
READ MORE: Investigation to be made into who is responsible for eroding coastal path
READ MORE: Council split over environmental row concerning mechanical beach cleaning
The TUV have lodged a formal equality impact complaint to the council stating it would create “conflict.” They said the Pipe Championships were “playing second fiddle” to the Fleadh, and repeated an erroneous claim reported in the media that the Fleadh was receiving twice the budget to that of the Pipes competition.
Belfast will host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture, from Sunday August 2 to Sunday August 9. Qualifying competitors from all over the world will showcase the best of traditional music, song, dance and language in All-Ireland competitions.
With a minimum of 700,000 visitors from across the world, it is anticipated to be the biggest cultural event ever held in Belfast. The Fleadh in Wexford last year generated an estimated €60million into the local economy, attracting over 800,000 visitors. Tourism NI estimates the 2026 Fleadh will bring £60 million into the Northern Ireland economy.
Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (Ards CCE) is the host branch for Fleadh Belfast, and was a bid partner with Belfast City Council. Ards CCE will mark their 50th anniversary this year.
The council officer report to the Ards North Down Council committee states: “Due to the local connection, Belfast City Council colleagues have been in contact with the Chief Executive to inform on planning stages of the event and to highlight the opportunities that will be afforded to the borough due to the proximity of the event. As set out in the Borough Events Strategic Direction, international bid events bringing participants and spend, is an area which the borough should maximise.”
At the meeting of the Place and Prosperity Committee, the chamber overwhelmingly voted to hold both events on the same day, with the proposed budgets, with only one councillor objecting, Newtownards DUP Councillor Colin Kennedy, who voted against the grain of his party. The decision will have to be ratified at the full council later this month.
Councillor Kennedy said at the committee: “In recent years officers have informed this committee and the council there is reducing money to hold and sponsor events. There are many groups in this borough – and let’s face it we are here to represent the people of Ards and North Down – many groups who have sought to run events and who have not been able to obtain funding from the council.
“That is the backdrop to this. All of a sudden.. I read £40,000 has been found for an event, good or bad. And to be fair, nobody is going to look at the Fleadh and say it isn’t a very significant event in the Irish cultural calendar.
“My issue is that clearly there has been work going on in the background discussing this. Scoping work has been done. I would like to know why the committee was not informed of that work taking place.
“My concern is that we haven’t brought along those people who have in the past been unsuccessful, and are perhaps currently looking for council assistance to run events, such as the Donagahdee group.
“And clearly, without bringing the people of Ards and North Down along with us, you are going to inevitably create ill feeling from some groups and organisations. In no way, shape or form is that to demean the event we are talking about. It is about the expectation of the people that elect us.
“It is disappointing we are being bounced into this. A lot of work may have been going on in the background. Neither I nor the people I represent were aware of that.”
The council director at the committee replied: “This council wouldn’t like to think we bounced anything. This event came via the Chief Executive. We brought it to the council when we had something to tell you. There was no point bringing a report to say we might have something. I wanted to make sure when we brought the report it was of substance, and it gave details and a budget.
“We have made a request for £40,000 as part of the rates setting process. We might not get it, and if we don’t get it the event doesn’t go ahead.”
A council officer said: “The council report presented what we believe is a neutral, strategic and opportunity focused assessment of both events. However (a media article) emphasised elements of conflict prioritisation and drew attention to political contexts, none of which were present in the report.”
She added: “Ards CCE are very positive about the dual approach for the events on August 1, and indeed we have received a letter today from the Chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association NI reiterating their positive support for the approach, with regards to the positive opportunities to showcase the musical traditions and indeed the positive bringing of a wider audience to the city (of Bangor).”
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter
