Mayo council delegation to attend All-Ireland Fleadh in fact-finding mission

A delegation from Mayo County Council is to travel to the All-Ireland Fleadh in Wexford on a fact-finding mission as Ballina sets sights on hosting the 2028 Fleadh.

The mammoth event will be held in Wexford town for a second consecutive year from August 3 to 10 next.

Over 600,000 Fleadh-goers will converge on Wexford town generating a massive €60 million to the local economy.

The Fleadh will move to Belfast in 2026.

Fleadh campaigner Eamonn Walsh, who was responsible for bringing the Fleadh to Ballina in 1997 and 1998, has been campaigning ever since to bring the biggest Irish cultural event in the world back to Ballina.

“The whole of Mayo and parts of Sligo would be used as an accommodation bank.

"Knock Airport would benefit from thousands of overseas tourists to the Fleadh.

"The event has in recent years been run by the various county councils since 2010 including Cavan, Sligo, Wexford and Belfast City Council will head the 2026 event."

Eamonn Walsh said it is imperative that Mayo County Council are at the helm - otherwise the application will fail.

The cost of running the All-Ireland Fleadh is estimated at €1.9 million.

“No voluntary committee can take on such a major event – it requires a professional manpower," added Mr. Walsh.