Belfast has a new Lord Mayor, and her first message from City Hall was aimed beyond the chamber: the city is being asked to come together for a summer shaped by Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, one of Europe’s largest cultural gatherings.
Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly was installed as Lord Mayor of Belfast on 1 June 2026, taking over the chain of office from Councillor Tracy Kelly after the council’s annual general meeting. Her term begins as the city prepares to host the Fleadh in 2026, with the event also due to return in 2027.
The new Lord Mayor said Belfast has a chance to show its music, traditions, communities and stories to visitors from across Ireland and beyond.
Róis-Máire Donnelly takes the chain of office
Donnelly, a Sinn Féin councillor from Ballymurphy, has represented the Black Mountain electoral area in west Belfast since May 2023. At 30, she takes office in a city where she said 40% of the population is aged 30 or under.
That age profile is expected to shape part of her year in office. Donnelly said she wants to work with young people on issues including cost of living pressures, inclusive growth and climate adaptation, arguing that many of those pressures will affect younger residents most sharply.
She also placed a particular emphasis on girls and young women, saying she wants to support community projects that empower them, challenge negative behaviour towards women and improve access to services.
Donnelly used both English and Irish in her remarks, linking her mayoral priorities to language, culture and civic participation. She said Belfast’s Irish language community is growing and should be protected and nurtured alongside other languages in the city.
Fleadh Cheoil gives Belfast a two-year cultural platform
The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will put Belfast at the centre of Irish traditional music and culture during a period when the city is expecting a large visitor presence. Donnelly described the event as being about “celebrating together” and said delivery would require a team effort across the city.
For residents, the Fleadh is not only a major calendar event. It is likely to influence how communities, venues, hospitality businesses, cultural groups and public services prepare for a busier summer. The return of the event in 2027 also gives Belfast a longer runway to build local involvement rather than treating the festival as a one-off.
Donnelly said the event offers a platform to highlight Belfast’s diversity, traditions and local stories, with benefits that could be felt beyond the festival period. Her comments framed the Fleadh as both a cultural showcase and a test of how the city presents itself to visitors.
Young people and Irish language groups among mayoral priorities
Alongside the Fleadh, Donnelly set out priorities that point to a community-focused term. She said she wants young people to help shape solutions for Belfast, particularly in areas where long-term decisions will affect their lives.
Her focus on the Irish language also connects with wider cultural regeneration in parts of the city. Donnelly said Irish language groups have a role in redevelopment, relationship-building and Belfast’s future, and she plans to highlight work that builds interest and connection across communities.
The tone of her first address was civic rather than ceremonial. It asked residents to see the summer ahead as a shared responsibility, especially as Belfast prepares to welcome audiences, performers and families connected to the Fleadh.
Deputy Lord Mayor and committee roles confirmed
Councillor Hedley Abernethy has become the new Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast. A member of the Alliance Party, he represents the Ormiston electoral area and succeeds Councillor Paul Doherty.
The annual meeting at City Hall also confirmed new committee chairs. It was the final annual meeting of the current four-year council term and was streamed live through the council’s website.
Donnelly said: “The Fleadh in Belfast is all about ‘celebrating together’ and, with the event also taking place in 2027, we have a unique opportunity to really engage communities in the staging of one of Europe’s biggest cultural events.”
Source: Belfast City Council
Source check Source trail
This article was written from Belfast City Council’s 1 June 2026 announcement and checked for names, roles, dates and event context.
- Confirmed Róis-Máire Donnelly was installed as Lord Mayor of Belfast on 1 June 2026.
- Checked that Councillor Tracy Kelly was named as the outgoing Lord Mayor.
- Verified that Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is referenced for Belfast in both 2026 and 2027.
- Confirmed Hedley Abernethy was named as the new Deputy Lord Mayor.
- Source
- Belfast City Council
- Scope
- Belfast
- Updated
- 2026-06-03 19:00
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