Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kinahan has welcomed the announcement that the Ulster Council of Comhaltas has decided after all to endorse Londonderry’s decision to host the 2013 all-Ireland Fleadh.
The South Antrim representative said;
“Next year is a very big year for the city of Londonderry, as it will be the 2013 UK City of Culture.
This means that a great deal of events will be happening in the city and it will attract a great deal of media attention and of course visitors. If the 2013 all-Ireland Fleadh – a huge festival of music and culture which is expected to attract a quarter of a million people - were also to be held in Londonderry, this would be a double boost for the city in terms of profile, visitor numbers and investment.
I was extremely disappointed with the original decision of the Ulster Council of Comhaltas not to support Londonderry’s bid to host the Fleadh next year due to security situation, because I felt this was handing a victory and a propaganda boost to terrorists.
Violence and those who threaten violence must never be allowed to win, and the decision to bid for Londonderry to host the event is to be welcomed. I sincerely hope that the organising body takes this opportunity to host the Fleadh in Northern Ireland for the very first time and in the UK City of Culture.”
