Connolly said that footfall across the Belfast One BID area reached 1,653,999 from Sunday, August 2, to Sunday, August 9. It has previously been confirmed that Belfast will play host to the Fleadh again next year, from August 1 - 8. Read more Belfast boom as Fleadh footfall shatters predictions, set to exceed 1 millionAmong the throngs of people who descended on Belfast for the Fleadh over the past week were more than 5,000 competitors from 22 countries in 180 categories. Outside the main competitions, the Fleadh hosted 438 official events, including 107 acts on the main Gig Rig stage alone. As the winners, they went on to perform on the Gig Rig outside Belfast City Hall as part of the Fleadh's closing ceremony.