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Council have discussed and approved the holding of a music festival in Newry at this month's Economy, Regeneration and Tourism committee meeting on Monday night, 19 January.
Details are very scarce as the agenda item "Newry City Music Festival" was held behind closed doors but Newry.ie understand that the festival, if all goes to plan will take place in late Spring 2026 at the Albert Basin site, just before work starts on the proposed Newry city park. The festival proposal is believed to be from a private concern who have asked the council for support both logistically and financially.
Following the 'in committee' discussions, the committee chairperson explained that councillors had agreed to approve the pilot two day Music Festival at the Albert Basin site in Newry, they agreed to enter into discussions on hire of the site for the event and they approved financial support for the event as set out in Section 4.1 of the officers report, with this being subject to approval in the 2026/27 council budget.
The decision was proposed by Councillor Geraldine Kearns and seconded by Councillor Terry Andrews.
Newry and Armagh MLA Liz Kimmins welcomed the decision “This is very welcome progress following our Sinn Féin team working with council officials and local events operators to make this proposal a reality.
“This is a big win for Newry which will boost trade for local businesses, cafés, bars, shops, restaurants and hotels, while delivering a major event for local residents right on their own doorstep.
"The proposal will now go for ratification at next month's full council meeting and I would encourage all councillors to get behind this exciting project, to give Newry the festival it truly deserves.
“Sinn Féin will continue working with the council and organisers to ensure this festival is delivered successfully and becomes a flagship annual event for Newry.”
Separately at the ERT meeting a motion calling for a Newry City Festival was referred to the newly formed Council Arts Working Group.
The last time a large scale music event was held on the Albert Basin site was in 2019 as part of Pride in Newry when Claire Richards from Steps, Heather Small, the voice of M People, Saara Aalto and B*witched took to the stage. Previous events included the Irish Famine Commemoration in 2015.
