Paddy Magee
BBC News NI

Unfortunately that's all the music, craic and colour we can squeeze into our live page today.

We've heard from musicians, visitors, volunteers, businesses and everyone in between as the city has welcomed hundreds of thousands of people over the past week.

Organisers had expected 800,000 to visit throughout the fleadh, but they say it looks like they may now exceed that number, bringing a significant economic boost to the city.

While our coverage here is ending, there's plenty more Fleadh to be had tonight, tomorrow and into its final day on Sunday.

Plus BBC News NI still has plenty of that colour and music - you can listen back to Evening Extra, and a special live performance from Lúnasa via BBC Sounds,

Meanwhile BBC Newsline will be live from City Hall tonight from 6.30pm and there's even a special edition of The One Show coming live from the city from 7pm.

In the meantime, if you're out enjoying the tunes this weekend have a good one.

Barra Best
BBC News NI weather presenter

While the weather has largely played ball for Fleadh attendees this week, it’ll be a different story at times this weekend.

Saturday promises to bring more cloud and patchy outbreaks of rain, but there’s no doubt that spirits will not be dampened.

While Sunday looks set to get off to a cloudy and, at times, damp start the forecast is for drier weather to develop later in the day for the closing ceremony at City Hall.

Image source, Pacemaker

Saturday: What's on?

The second day of Fleadh competitions gets under way on Saturday, with more than 5,000 competitors from 22 countries performing across venues including the ICC Belfast, Assembly Buildings, The MAC and Ulster University.

Outside City Hall, the Gig Rig remains at the helm of the action.

The County Cork Pipes and Drums of NYC kick things off at 11am, with live music throughout the day, an open-air céilí at 3pm and evening performances continuing into the night.

Elsewhere, families can enjoy free theatre, circus and carnival events, while the Instrument Makers’ Village at Belfast Met and the Irish language hub at The MAC remain open to visitors.

Sunday: What's on?

Belfast City Council say Sunday is expected to be the busiest day of the festival as the final day of competitions gets under way from 10am, culminating in the Senior Céilí Bands competition.

Over on the Gig Rig outdoor stage at City Hall, Áirdan are first up at 11am and the performances will keep on coming right throughout the day, with Shankill Road Defenders Flute Band at 2.50pm, Celtic Roots at 4pm and Foy Vance headlining at 6.45pm.

The Winning Senior Céilí Band will end the week on a high note at 11.40pm

At 1pm Musicians and visitors will also take part in a musical procession from east and west Belfast towards the city centre, marking the end of this year’s Fleadh.

Mark Simpson
BBC News NI

Young buskers have been playing in Belfast city centre since the Fleadh started on Sunday - on every street corner and from all parts of the island.

11-year old Dominik from Fermanagh has been playing the bango for eight months.

He says that the Fleadh has been "very exciting" and called the people of Belfast "lovely".

Image source, bbc

For Darragh, 12, from Cavan, it's been "very good" in Belfast.

"Bit big but I'm used to it now."

He added that he likes busking and plans to use his earnings at the Lego shop tonight.

Caolán, Rìan and Croía are siblings from Fermanagh who have been playing in the city.

Caolán says he "really likes playing music" and he plans to put the money he has earned back into music.

"I'm saving up to buy a new button accordion."

Catherine Morrison
BBC News NI

Marching band musicians took on what one member called "new territory" this week - their All-Ireland Fleadh debut.

New for the bands, and for the broader unionist community as a whole.

Some Ulster bands have been taking part in performances across the week.

The main event was a showcase at the Titanic Slipways on Thursday evening.

It was the product of many conversations and meetings between the Belfast Bands Forum and Comhaltas, the Fleadh organisers, and Belfast City Council.

Read more here.

Image source, TRANSLINK

The one million passenger figure over the first five day's of the fleadh is an increase of 275,000, compared to the same period last year.

With thousands more visitors expected in Belfast for the final weekend, Translink have said a special Fleadh timetable is in place, with extra capacity across bus and train services, including late-night services and Park & Ride operations.

Visitors are being advised to plan ahead, leave extra time for journeys and check travel information before setting off, as services are expected to be particularly busy at peak times.

The service said, "Public transport remains the best way to get to the Fleadh, helping more people enjoy the event while reducing congestion across the city."

While much of the Fleadh's festival of tunes and songs are focused on Irish folk and traditional, other genres do get a look in.

Below we've got Buail Feirste bringing a Brazilian samba sensibility to the Fleadh - close your eyes and you could almost be in Rio (or Ri-yeeeeoooww if you prefer).

Image source, Volunteer Now

More than 1,300 volunteers have been helping visitors throughout the Fleadh, from welcoming people to Belfast to giving directions across the city centre.

The people giving up their time to help this week – for free - have come from across Ireland and further afield with ages among the volunteer force ranging from 17 to 80 years old.

Among them is Addyson McGowan, who has travelled almost 1,500 miles from Florida as part of a study abroad programme.

“It’s awesome. I love seeing all the instruments, I love the music,” she says. “Everyone’s admiring everyone and it feels like such a safe place to be - it’s so heartwarming.”

Belfast volunteer Kevin McVeigh says he’s proud to help showcase his home city.

“I’m a big fan of volunteering. It is the social glue that helps foster good relations with people.”

You can read more about the volunteers here.

William Crawley, on our Talkback radio programme, delved into the history of the event - from its origins to the present day, with Niall McClean - Chairman of Ards branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, and Méabh Ní Fhuartáin - Author of "Heading to the Fleadh: Festival, Cultural Revival and Irish Traditional Music".

You can listen to that discussion below.

Community volunteers in Belfast are using the Fleadh to celebrate the city’s growing diversity through music, food and arts events.

The programme, organised by volunteers from groups including Anaka Women’s Collective and CATU, features arts and crafts, dancing, film and food from a range of cultures. The café is serving dishes prepared by asylum seeker chefs who are not yet able to work.

Soso Ní Cheallaigh said the Fleadh was an opportunity to reflect the changing face of Belfast.

“It’s important to show all the different cultures we have in Belfast throughout the Fleadh. We have an Irish international tradition now that extends to all members of our communities."

Twasul Mohammed said the space had become a safe way for many women to experience the festival.

“Many of the women here in Anaka don’t get to see the events of the Fleadh because they don’t feel safe going to any place. This is a safe place where they can come and enjoy part of the Fleadh, see musicians, listen to music and take part in the different events we are hosting.”

"We want everyone to enjoy the fleadh but also show solidarity with refugees and the homeless community in Northern Ireland."

Robbie Meredith
BBC News NI Education Correspondent

The Irish language is playing a central role at this year’s Fleadh, with events for speakers, learners and complete beginners taking place across Belfast.

At the Irish Language Hub in the MAC, Sorcha Campbell says everyone is welcome.

“There’s lots going on for families, for learners and for people who don’t speak Irish but just want to have a listen and learn a cúpla focal, or a few words of Irish.”

About 600 students are also taking part in classes at Scoil Éigse in Ulster University. Tutor Kieran Hanrahan said it’s “heartening” to see so many young people eager to develop their Irish language and music skills.

One of them is 14-year-old Cuán Ó Lorcáin from Dublin, who is competing in fiddle and sean-nós singing.

“The Irish language is very important… I love singing through Irish, and without it the atmosphere at the Fleadh wouldn’t be the same.”

Claire Graham
BBC News NI

Cillian Vallely from Lúnasa has told BBC News NI there is some emotion with playing in Belfast as part of the Fleadh.

"The whole area that's been pedestrianised, that was all barricades and you had nobody playing fiddles and sets of pipes on the street 30 years ago," he said.

"And it's great outside the City Hall that you have all the main concerts up there.

"It's going to be great to get the chance to play up there."

Lúnasa will be performing on Evening Extra tonight, you can listen on BBC Radio Ulster or BBC Sounds from 17:00 BST.

Finn Purdy
BBC News NI

About 2,500 passengers travelling on the cruise ship the Carnival Legends disembarked in Belfast on Friday morning, with many hoping to soak up some of the music and atmosphere at the Fleadh.

Dennis and Lana Hopping from Missouri are on their first trip Belfast.

“I’m hoping to see the downtown and I heard there might be a music festival and so we’re hoping to go see all that and hear the music”, Lana said.

“Sounds like a lot of fun to me,” Dennis added.

Terri Corson and her daughter Shelby from North Carolina said they had Irish heritage and had always wanted to visit the island.

“It’s been beautiful so far,” Terri said.

Shelby said she was looking forward to visiting shops and restaurants in Belfast and experiencing the culture.“We’ve been waiting all week for Belfast,” Terri added.

Tom Cullen from California, also on his first visit to Belfast, said the trip was his retirement gift to his wife.

He said they were looking forward to music, adding: “My wife will dance to anything”.“I’m with seven women so I’m kinda at the mercy of what they want to see and I’m just tagging along.”

Some of you have been getting in touch via our contact form (on the left here) to tell us your experiences of the Fleadh in Belfast.

Mark says: "Loved the atmosphere. Great to see people from all traditions there."

Susan says: "Went in on Thursday parked in Castle Court, found a disabled bay and off to the Fleadh. Smooth journey - well done to everyone involved."

And Hugh says: "A fantastic occasion and a credit to all visitors as to how clean the streets are, free from rubbish."

A Belfast councillor has called for more support for homeless people as the Fleadh continues in the city.

Paul McCusker says more must be done to help people sleeping rough, as homeless people have been "pushed to the peripheries of the city centre".

He said homeless services had dealt with five overdoses since Sunday, adding: “When people are being moved on it’s more difficult for services to link with them.

"We are seeing more people in Botanic and more people around Queen's University," he told the Nolan Show this morning.

The Housing Executive say: "26 crash beds are available in Belfast each night for immediate, short-term support while longer-term options for individuals are explored."

McCusker is curious as to what happens next - "Is that person going to return to the streets?”

He said: “Moving people on does not solve the issue... It is trying to cover up a major issue we have in Belfast in terms of homelessness and addiction."

Belfast City Council says a multi-agency approach is in place to ensure support continues to be available for vulnerable residents as the visitor numbers increase.

The PSNI say their "officers will be present to support public safety" and that they will work to "ensure appropriate safeguarding arrangements are in place for vulnerable people".

Mark Simpson
BBC News NI

More than 300 campervans and caravans are parked beside Belfast’s famous yellow cranes.

It’s an official site for overnight stays during the Fleadh.

The shipbuilding cranes - nicknamed Samson and Goliath after Biblical giants - date to 1969 and 1974. They have become emblematic of the city, and everything from keychains to plantpots shaped like them are purchasable.

Mike McBride
BBC News NI

Image source, Down Right Musical Trio

The Down Right Musical Trio, made up of Jack Rogers, Conor Collins and Bernard Goodwin, are celebrating a remarkable journey that began with online music lessons during the Covid-19 pandemic and has led to them performing at this year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

The three musicians, who all have Down’s syndrome, share a passion for traditional Irish music and have been supported throughout their musical journey by the Foyle Down Syndrome Trust.

Speaking on BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme, Conor Collins said they thoroughly enjoyed their performance in Belfast and that many people in the crowd were incredibly supportive. Jack said that, despite performing in front of a huge audience, they were surprisingly not nervous.

He added that playing music is the best way to relax.

Darran Marshall
BBC News NI

Some people we spoke to didn't know the Fleadh would be on in Belfast when they came for other things - but they were happily surprised.

Christine Lennan is from Fraserburgh, north of Aberdeen, and travelled for 15 hours to get to Belfast.

It’s Christine’s first time in the city and she says she’ll definitely be back.

She didn’t know the Fleadh would be on when she booked but says “It’s been great. It’s brilliant – music everywhere, lovely, really enjoyed it.”

Karen Burns, from South Shields, in north east England, is on her first visit to Belfast.

A Manchester United fan, she crossed the Irish Sea to visit George Best's family home.

“It’s amazing. It's like being at home," she says.

"Everybody is brilliant and friendly. They help you. I’m getting lost and I’ve asked for directions, ‘oh I’ll show you’, it’s brilliant. The whole place is fantastic.”

Barry O'Connor
BBC News NI

If you've walked through the city centre this week, there's a fair chance you'll have seen people performing, from céilí bands to marching bands and Irish dancing, there's something for everyone.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Pacemaker

In general the Fleadh has been hailed as a success for Belfast, including in the way it has incorporated Protestant and unionist traditions in to its marching band events and at the City Hall - more on that here.

But there have been a few discordant notes too.

On Thursday a food business apologised after it was heard to play a pro-IRA song.

A spokesman for the business, a food van, said they were "absolutely devastated" when they realised a playlist they were playing contained the song, which they played "unintentionally".

The campaign group Let's Talk Loyalism lodged a complaint about the incident and requested that organisers condemn it, and Moore Holmes from the group told the BBC's Evening Extra programme on Thursday that he wanted the council to review the matter and the Fleadh to condemn the incident.

"I think it would be very beneficial for the Fleadh to come out and condemn this," Holmes said.

"If you tolerate it when it's small then it grows into something that it shouldn't be."

Some politicians also spoke out against what had happened.

MLA Brian Kingston wrote to the city council, saying: "There is a great deal of positive activity this week and it is essential that council ensures no tolerance of those wishing to promote or excuse terrorism."

A statement from the business read: "The team were playing a public playlist and due to their busyness in the truck, didn’t notice when the inappropriate song came on."

Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann wrote in a statement that they "do not support any behaviour or music that could cause offence or intimidation".