Organisers and public figures call for Belfast city centre to keep a pedestrianised area permanently after the success of Fleadh events. The Irish Independent and Belfast Telegraph both report renewed discussion on extending or making longer-term the car-free approach used during the festival period.
The coverage frames the push as a response to what supporters describe as positive outcomes from Fleadh, including how the street environment works for visitors and local activity. While both outlets agree on the core message—that there is momentum for a permanent pedestrianised zone—details on who is making the call and what specific measures are proposed are not identical across the reports.
Overall, the story centers on post-event discussions about whether the temporary pedestrianisation should become a lasting feature of the city centre, weighing potential benefits for the public and business against the practical implications of changing traffic and access arrangements.
