A packed South Main Street on Friday evening during Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann. Pic: Jim Campbell
While many business owners are eagerly awaiting Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025, for some Wexford residents the prospect of more than 650,000 people descending upon the town is proving less than appealing.
Describing the 2024 edition as “a week of hell”, a Wexford county councillor has said those living in Bride Street have asked that organisers of this year’s event meet with them to discuss the impact it will have on them.
Cllr Ray Shannon relayed their concerns at the April meeting of the Wexford Borough District (WBD).
“The people in Bride St had great difficulty accessing their own homes during the Fleadh last year, is there anyone who could meet with them to discuss this?” he asked. “At the moment they are planning on putting an objection in. They’re not anti-Fleadh, they’re just anti having it outside their homes. They said they had a week of hell last year. It’s very unfair on them.”
Having witnessed first-hand how last year’s event was organised, Cllr Shannon’s colleagues also had some suggestions as to how the 2025 edition could be improved.
“With regards to parking, is there any way we can make it more accessible for those with disabilities?” asked Cllr Robbie Staples. “Also, in terms of transport from rural areas like Crossabeg, Castlebridge, and Curracloe, is there a possibility buses could be extended out to those villages? It would keep more cars off the road and logistically it makes sense.”
Transport was also on Cllr Tom Forde’s mind with his concerns centring around the loss of earnings for local taxi drivers.
“A lot of the drivers were not happy with the move from Dunne’s Stores to 1798 St, they said they were down significant earnings as a result. I know it’s not a long distance away but the drivers said that a lot of people weren’t aware of where to go. They have asked that the rank be left where it is.”
Fielding their queries and vowing to look into these issues, council official Eimear Kennedy said that one of the primary concerns for festival organisers was finding accommodation for those making their way to Wexford in August.
“We’re looking for accommodation providers, if any members of the public have a spare room they might consider making it available. The biggest requirement for accommodation will be from the Thursday – Sunday, from August 7-10, it will prove more difficult to find someone to stay for the other days.”
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