It was the best by Fleadh..
€40m boost as 500,000 visit festival
THE Drogheda Fleadh Cheoil has been hailed a “best-ever” success after attracting a record audience.
It was estimated more than 500,000 traditional music lovers visited the historic town over the course of the week, which ended on Sunday.
It was claimed the influx would have added “€40million for the local economy”.
Officials also revealed more than 25% of those who attended came from outside Ireland.
And it is expected the Co Louth location will be the site for next year’s Fleadh Cheoil from August 11 to 18.
The event, which came to the east coast for the first time, was rounded off with a huge fireworks display late on Sunday. Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann chief Dr Labhras O Murchu said: “In the region of 500,000 people have attended the Fleadh over eight days, possibly the largest attendance in its history.
“A feature this year was the widespread representation from countries such as Japan, North America, Britain and Australia. Over 25% of those attending are from out of State, helping to generate an estimated €40million for the local economy.”
The big clean-up was underway yesterday in Drogheda town centre, which had been pedestrianised for the event.
The half-mile long West Street played host to dozens of performers and musicians.
A TRAD music festival is being hailed as one of the most successful ever.
Some in Drogheda may now want the week-long extravaganza extended to a fortnight and let’s hope this is the case.
Might be a bridge too Fleadh though.