Pat Doherty.
West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty says that plans to include Strabane in the bid for Fleadh Cheoil na h’Éireann to return to the north west in 2017 following the most successful Fleadh ever in Derry in 2013 provides the local area with major opportunities.
He said: “I wish to commend Gearóid O h’Eara and his organising team for not resting on their laurels upon delivering the most successful Fleadh Cheoil ever to Derry in 2013.
“Subsequently, they have been hard at work not only preparing the bid to bring back the Fleadh to Derry in 2017 but to ensure that the bid is this time is widened to include Strabane.
“During the 2013 Fleadh, it is estimated that in the region of 430,000 visitors converged on Derry with the local economy benefiting to the tune of tens of millions and from all the positive publicity that was generated thousands of others visited the city having never done so before.
“If the bid to host the Fleadh in 2017 is successful then Strabane can also reap the major short-term and longer term benefits that will come with major music and cultural events being show cased locally and with thousands of visitors coming to the area. A successful bid will open up major opportunities and we must work collectively to ensure they are maximised.
“The extended bid requires the support of the new Derry City and Strabane District Council but I am confident that this will happen after the new Council’s inaugural meeting in April.”
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