Mullingar's 'Homecoming' Fleadh passes 500k attendance mark

Mullingar has surpassed the magic figure of 500,000 visitors during the fleadh, according to the vice chair of the organising committee.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner today, Willie Penrose said that there was a record attendance on Friday night and that yesterday there were between 130,000 and 150,000 visitors.

"We have gone past the half a million definitely. Friday night had the biggest crowd ever at a fleadh for a Friday night, while yesterday the initial estimate was 130,000 - 140,000, but most people who were here say there were more."

In an interview with the Westmeath Examiner, Willie paid tribute to the hundreds of volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make the fleadh such a success, as well as the Gardaí and the staff of Westmeath County Council, among others.