Open consultation Major event order for the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026

Summary

The Department for Communities is seeking views on a request by Belfast City Council to extend permitted hours for the sale and supply of alcohol in certain areas of Belfast city centre for the duration of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, ‘the Fleadh’, taking place in Belfast between 2 and 9 August 2026.

Consultation description

The Fleadh is a major, high profile cultural event, expected to attract around 800,000 visitors, with peak daily attendance of up to 120,000 people. It will run each day from 11.00am to 11.00pm.

Background

Belfast City Council has applied to the department to make a major event order (MEO) in respect of the Fleadh, taking place in Belfast between 2 and 9 August 2026.

Article 48A of the Licensing (NI) Order 1996 gives the Department for Communities the power to make an MEO. An MEO designates an event taking place in Northern Ireland, which the department considers will attract significant public interest, as a major event. An order also specifies the permitted hours (beyond what is permitted by an existing liquor licence) for the sale of intoxicating liquor for any place or premises included in the order and may impose conditions. Article 26A of the Registration of Clubs (NI) Order 1996 gives the department a similar power for registered clubs. 

Belfast City Council has requested an extension to permitted hours for the sale of alcohol from specific licensed premises (including pubs, hotels, restaurants, guest houses, hotels, conference centres, higher education institution, places of public entertainment), any bars licensed by an occasional licence, and the supply of alcohol from registered clubs, until 1.00am the following morning, within the core area of the event, as specified in the attached plan. 

General permitted hours for licensed premises and registered clubs end at 11.00pm, with additional permitted hours (where granted) ending at 1.00am the following morning and for certain licensed premises further additional permitted hours (where granted) ending at 2.00am the following morning. In practice, Belfast City Council’s request would mean that applicable premises within the core area of the event would be permitted to sell (or supply) alcohol until 1.00am. Drinking up time remains up to one hour after the last time for the sale of alcohol.

We would encourage anyone who is interested in responding to this consultation to utilise Citizen Space as the method of their response.

If this is not possible, you can however, respond to this consultation via email or you can respond in writing to the postal address.