Published Monday, 30 January 2012
Chief Superintendent Stephen Martin was with the Derry bid team when the announcement was made on Saturday that the traditional Irish cultural festival will be taking place there in 2013 - crossing the border for the first time.
It is hoped the event could attract up to 300,000 visitors and generate tens of millions pounds for the local economy of the north west.
However the celebrations that followed last weekend's announcement seemed unlikely just days ago when Derry's bid was rejected amid fears over dissident republican violence.
But the Comhaltas committee lobbied to have that decision overturned, backed by the PSNI and leaders from across the political parties.
Eibhlín Ní Dhochartaigh from the organising team thanked Ch Supt Martin for his participation in the bid effort.
She said: "The fact that he went down there and was there in person to address any concerns and address any issues I think that was great.
"It's a great traditional music event and the streets of Derry will be thronged - it is a great family event, it's also the biggest youth festival in the world, if you look at the statistics so Derry will have never seen anything like this.
"Already people are ringing in from America and elsewhere and musicians will be in Derry 2013, we'll be there for the Fleadh."
The addition of the Fleadh means 2013 is shaping up to be a year to remember for the city.
It will coincide with the Derry/Londonderry UK City of Culture - and it is all taking place during the 400th anniversary of the city being granted its Royal Charter.