Cork councils to join forces in bid to host Fleadh Cheoil with €100m boost predicted

Cork County Council says it will work with the city on a joint bid to host the national traditional music festival

Taoiseach Michael Martin listening to performers at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2026, in Belfast. Picture: Mark Marlow/PA Wire

Cork County Council is to seek a collaboration with the city council in the hope of winning a bid to host the annual Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, which, if successful, could provide the region with a €100m windfall.

County council chief executive Moira Murrell said her staff would “100% work” with their counterparts in the city to put forward the strongest joint bid possible.

She made the vow after the move was proposed by Social Democrats councillor Ann Bambury, who called for a bid to be made for the 2028 or 2029 national competition.

“This should recognise the immense musical and cultural contribution of County Cork, particularly the many successful Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann branches throughout the county, which play a vital role in nurturing musicians, dancers and singers. The city's working on a formal bid, but the vast majority of Comhaltas branches are in the county,” Ms Bambury said.

“When Wexford held it in 2024 it generated €60m. Belfast held it recently and got £53m (€61.7m). We could get more at lots of different venues and generate €100m,” she added.

“I was lucky enough to attend it in Belfast. It was absolutely fantastic and had a lot of international visitors,” Fianna Fail councillor Gearoid Murphy said.

Fine Gael councillor Sinead Sheppard, who chairs the council’s arts committee and is a dance teacher, said it was an excellent idea.

“I’m involved in Comhaltas in Cobh and the amount of young people being introduced to traditional Irish music and dance is fantastic. Hosting the Fleadh would attract even more people to join these groups and the economic benefits would be incredible,” she said.

Joint bid for Fleadh

Fianna Fáil councillor Frank O’Flynn said the county council should also write to the director general of Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann, Labhrás Ó Murchú, expressing their interest in hosting the event.

“It makes absolute sense for the two councils to do it together. It would only strengthen the bid,” said Labour councillor Ronan Sheehan.

County council assistant chief executive Niall Healy said it would be supportive of collaborative engagement with Cork City Council, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Fáilte Ireland, Visit Cork and other relevant stakeholders to explore opportunities for partnership and coordinated planning.

“Such cooperation would seek to maximise the benefits of the event for communities throughout Cork and ensure that the strengths, resources and cultural assets of the county contribute positively to the success of any hosting proposal,” Mr Healy added.