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Newry festival Iúr Cinn Fleadh has taken home the top prize in the Arts, Heritage and Culture category at the Newry, Mourne and Down Chairperson's Civic Awards, scooping the Overall Winner title at a ceremony held on Friday past, 20 February in Ballynahinch.
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The award, an inscribed Irish crystal vase, was presented by TV and radio personality Connor Phillips and Chairperson of Council Philip Campbell to Iúr Cinn Fleadh team member Clive Price. In accepting the honour, Clive made clear that the recognition belonged to far more than just the festival team, acknowledging the wide network of supporters, funders, musicians, singers, poets and venues that have helped the Fleadh thrive over more than ten years.
Taking to social media after the ceremony, Clive summed up that spirit of shared success. "Well done, the people of Newry," he said, "venue managers, dancers, musicians, singers, poets and dreamers, the pubs, cafes, restaurants, library, hotels, shops, churches and other public spaces and creative agencies of Newry, the servers, designers, printers, 'tall ship' skippers, funders and all other support staff and of course the festival team, we share this success together!"
Those words reflect how the Fleadh actually works in practice. Each year the festival leans on the goodwill of people and businesses right across the city, whether that's displaying posters, hosting sessions, concerts or poetry readings, or simply showing up as an audience. Artists and visitors travel from far and wide to take part, with people making the trip from Warrenpoint and Wexford to San Francisco and Sydney. Over the years the Fleadh has featured the best of local talent alongside well-known names such as Sharon Shannon, Paul Brady, Hothouse Flowers, Horslips and Frances Black.
The 2025 event was backed by Newry BID, Newry Mourne and District Council and Narrow Water Events. This year, Iúr Cinn Fleadh runs from 27-31 August, once again offering its popular mix of pub and cafe sessions, Trad Cruises and family-friendly activities in what the organisers describe as a "festival for all."
