Warrenpoint on song with traditional music and dance

Forty thousand singers, dancers, musicians and supporters are expected in Warrenpoint this week for the 2025 Ulster Fleadh.

It is the first time the town in County Down has hosted the celebration of traditional Irish music, dance and language in 16 years.

Organised by the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the cultural festival runs from 20 to 27 July and features competitions and sessions across a number of venues.

With the All-Ireland Fleadh taking place in Belfast next year, organisers are hopeful their “semi-final” event can showcase the region as a potential host for a future All-Ireland Fleadh.

An estimated 600,000 people attend the All-Ireland Fleadh each year.

Jimi Quinn, the chairperson of this year’s Ulster event, says more than 3,000 people will take part in the main competitions at St Mark’s High School next weekend.

Before then, it is hoped bars, cafes, halls, squares and parks in Warrenpoint and nearby Rostrevor will be alive with traditional music.

“There were 30 to 35,000 people at last year’s event in Dromore in County Tyrone,” he said.

“The projection for this year is 40,000. That’s because Dromore is a small town and doesn’t have the same number of facilities we have here in Warrenpoint.

“So the town is going to be very busy with live music, dancing and singing all the way through the week.”

The festival began on Sunday night with a céilí (traditional dance) in Rostrevor Square that served the dual purpose of bringing the curtain down on the village’s annual Fiddler’s Green Festival.

In the week ahead, Mr Quinn says that planned and impromptu sessions will take place in a variety of venues.

“We have sessions planned for each of the pubs and clubs and people to lead those sessions but we know that as soon as the pubs open and people wander in for a coffee that someone will have a guitar with them, or a tin whistle or a set of pipes and they’ll keep playing until they’re thrown out – probably the following Sunday.”

As well as making full use of the town’s Edwardian bandstand, a gig rig and artisan market will be erected in the town park.

With the full Fleadh coming to Belfast next year, Mr Quinn says the dream remains to bring the event to the shores of Carlingford Lough.

“It’s always in the back of your mind – that would be the dream,” he said.

“But a lot of work goes into this. We’ve a small committee and they have been superb.

“This is about trying to get a name for this place and getting people into this part of the world.”