The planets aligned for Belfast, Ireland and the 'Capital of Irish America' Buffalo, NY, this week - and we're not talking eclipse of the sun either.
For over the past seven days, the city was on song as it welcomed the North American conference of Comhaltas Ceoltóirií Éireann for the first time — and hosted the first-ever visit from a Lord Mayor of Belfast.
The CCÉ gathering is recognized as the premier traditional Irish cultural happening in the U.S. and involved three days of instruction in traditional Irish music, song, dance, and language for as many as 400-500 attendees from all corners of the United States and Canada. There were also workshops, concerts and céilithe with different bands every night from 4-7 April.
Delighted to welcome Belfast Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy to the Curtiss Hotel pic.twitter.com/Uvs4bSkfxJ
— Conor Hawkins (@conorhawkins17) April 5, 2024
Among the VIP guests was Mayor Ryan Murphy of Belfast who was in town canvassing support from Comhaltas members for Belfast's audacious bid to host the 2026 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann - Ireland's biggest cultural event by some measure which brings trad musicians and fans from around the world together. The Fleadh Cheoil can attract up to 500,000 visitors to the host city and generate spending of around $70m.
Last week I was in the U.S as Belfast attempts to bring the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to the city in 2026.
This festival is a fantastic celebration of culture and would be a real driver for our local economy. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/37ZHD7NGtK
— Ryan Murphy (@CllrRyanMurphy) April 9, 2024
During his visit to Buffalo, Mayor Murphy was feted at the Buffalo Irish Centre and visited the refurbished Fenian Monument in the company of State Senator — and candidate in the special election to Congress on 30 April — Tim Kennedy.
The Senator took a day off from the campaign trail to introduce the Mayor to community and civic leaders across Buffalo. "I was only too happy to strengthen the bonds between these two great cities, both of which are very much on the rise," said Senator Kennedy, himself a well-known booster of, and visitor to, Belfast.
Among those rolling out the red carpet for the Mayor was Curtiss Hotel GM Conor Hawkins, a fellow native of Belfast who has made his home in The Queen City.
Honored to welcome the Lord Mayor of Belfast @CllrRyanMurphy to Buffalo this weekend, as well as John Walsh, John Greer, & Laura Leonard from the @belfastcc. This visit continued to strengthen the partnership between our two cities, and ensure they reach their fullest potential! pic.twitter.com/5ppqmfmJLK
— Senator Tim Kennedy (@SenKennedy) April 8, 2024
