Belfast’s new Lord Mayor has urged residents to come together this summer as the city prepares to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and welcome visitors from across Ireland and beyond.
Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly was installed as Lord Mayor at Belfast City Hall on 1 June 2026, taking over the chain of office from Councillor Tracy Kelly after the annual general meeting of Belfast City Council.
Róis-Máire Donnelly takes the chain of office
Councillor Donnelly, a Sinn Féin representative for the Black Mountain electoral area in west Belfast, is from Ballymurphy and has served on the council since May 2023.
She said Belfast had a chance to show what its communities could achieve together during a summer shaped by music, visitors and civic events.
“This is a huge year for Belfast, and I’m calling on all our citizens to get involved this summer and show what we can do and achieve together,” she said.
Fleadh summer puts Belfast communities in focus
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is due to bring a major cultural programme to the city, with Belfast also set to host the event in 2027. The Lord Mayor said the scale of the Fleadh would require a team effort and could highlight the city’s people, diversity, traditions and stories.
For residents looking for the wider local picture, Beehive Web has also covered how Belfast communities are being urged to prepare for the Fleadh summer.
Councillor Donnelly said the event was about “celebrating together” and encouraging visitors to explore more of the city.
Young people and the Irish language among priorities
The new Lord Mayor said young people, especially girls and young women, would be a focus of her term. She pointed to Belfast’s younger population, saying many of the city’s pressures, including cost of living, inclusive growth and climate adaptation, would affect them most.
She also said she would promote Belfast’s growing Irish language community and showcase groups working to build interest and connection across the city.
Councillor Hedley Abernethy of the Alliance Party has become Deputy Lord Mayor, taking over from Councillor Paul Doherty. He represents the Ormiston electoral area.
Source: Belfast Scraper
Source check Source trail
This report is based on Belfast City Council’s published account of the Lord Mayor handover and summer civic message.
- Confirmed the installation date as 1 June 2026 from the source item.
- Checked the named office holders and handover from Councillor Tracy Kelly to Councillor Ró...
- Retained the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 and 2027 context as stated by the council.
- Identified Belfast as the factual geographic scope of the story.
- Source
- Belfast City Council
- Scope
- Belfast
- Updated
- 2026-06-04 21:48
Source check
Report a trust issue
Send a clear signal to community moderation if the source, facts or context need review.
Comments