Fleadh 2025

18 September 2025

Wexford Civil Defence, Fleadh Cheoil 2025,  Medical Operations Report

Wexford Civil Defence acted as Medical Controller for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025. Medical services were delivered through strong inter-agency cooperation, with support from:

• Civil Defence Units from Wexford, Kilkenny, Offaly, Wicklow, Laois, and Tipperary
• Wexford Order of Malta
• Enniscorthy & Gorey Red Cross
• Efast Ireland (Medical Centre and Doctor)

It was estimated that 800,000 people visited Wexford Town across the week, with 60,000 attending the official opening on Sunday, 3rd August.

Contribution of Voluntary Ambulance Services

The Voluntary Ambulance Services were central to the success of the operation. Their commitment, professionalism, and local knowledge ensured a high standard of patient care across all event sites. They provided:

• Essential frontline medical response
• Patient transport
• Seamless integration between Civil Defence, Red Cross, Order of Malta, and primary response agencies

Their work demonstrated the vital role of voluntary organisations in delivering safe and effective medical cover at large-scale public events.

Medical Operations

Dates Covered: Sunday, 3rd August – Monday, 11th August (inclusive)

Additional Supports: Drone operations and boat cover on 8th–10th August in Wexford Harbour

Staffing & Rostering

• Shift system in place across the town centre and competition venues
• Volunteers per day: 55 early in the week, increasing to 77 by Friday and Saturday
• Responders included CFR, FAR, EMT, PAR, and AP levels
• Two Medical Hubs staffed daily, each with a Paramedic (PAR) presence
• PAR ambulances with medications deployed each day
• A GVF audit was completed during the week with the Medical Director

Medical Hubs

Two hubs were established within pedestrian areas:
1. Main Medical Tent (Quays) – Doctor-led clinical facility
2. Ballast Office Hub – Secondary treatment centre

As attendance grew beyond previous years, staffing was increased with an additional doctor and nurse each evening, and two extra treatment bays were added.

Ambulance Cover

•   Early week: 5 ambulances per day
  • Peak (Thursday–Sunday): 10 ambulances rostered
  • Ambulances positioned near pedestrianised areas and hubs
  • All crews staffed by EMTs, Paramedics, or Advanced Paramedics and paramedic drugs.

Patient Care Statistics

 

Total Patient Contacts	383
Medical Centre Presentations	159
Walk-ins	89
VES Ambulance transports to the Medical Centre	77
Transports to Emergency Department	31
NAS Assists	7

 

Most common presentations:

• Limb Injuries – 97
• Head/Facial Injuries – 44
• General Medical – 30
• Additional: Several cardiac, stroke, and respiratory cases

Command & Control

Control Centre

• Base of operations: Old County Hall
• Staffed by Event Control, Security/CCTV, NAS, An Garda Síochána, Wexford County Council, and Civil Defence (Medical Controller)
• Three Civil Defence staff in control at all times
• Communications:
  • TETRA closed group for medical assets
  • Tracking using Tetra AVLS
  • Separate ISSI callback for ASHICE patient updates
  • UHF Backup

Mobile & Specialist Units

• Walking patrols, jeeps, and ATVs supported access in crowded areas
  Walking patrols active 09:00–22:30 daily
• Boat patrols (two units) deployed on 8th–10th August to cover Wexford Quays and Harbour, due to heavy pedestrian traffic on Wexford Bridge

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