President Michael D Higgins has described the Fleadh as a "significant cultural event", saying respect for music performances and the performer is "deep within the Irish consciousness".
The president officially opened the Fleadh at a ceremony on Wexford's quay front, addressing the crowd from the 'Gig Rig' - a specially constructed stage that will play host to hundreds of free music events over the next week.
He commended Wexford County Council for all its preparation and for "keeping the streets of the town looking beautiful despite the huge crowds".
He also congratulated the organisers who he said had "worked tirelessly" behind the scenes to make the event happen and he thanked the 1,000 volunteers.
President Higgins said they showed "exemplary spirit of active participation, willingly give their time, skills and experience to their community, are contributing to an event that makes a profound offering to our culture, our society and our economy".
The president said Irish music allows us to "celebrate and to mourn, to dance and to sing, to come together, to let ourselves escape the mundane".
He said music can also provide a way for people to express "disgust and abhorrence of war", adding that it is powerful tool for social commentary.
The Irish music festival runs for eight days, with organisers saying this year will be bigger than last year.
Musicians had already started playing music and a concert took place on the 'Gig-Rig' ahead of the opening ceremony.
A new music group 'Nascnua' is at the event after its members met at last year's event in the town.
The group of five includes three sisters from Rosslare who met the two other musicians, Sophie and Liam, at the 2024 edition of the Fleadh.
They all play for different Comhaltas branches across Co Wexford and are part of Ceoltóirí na Sláine, the Wexford Youth Orchestra.
Michelle Treacy, from the official Fleadh merchandise shop, said stock has already been "flying out the door" of the tent, which is situated on the quay.
Her advice to people is to get there early to make sure they get the colours and sizes they want.
Organisers expect more people than last year to attend, with 700,000 people due to visit the town for the world's biggest traditional Irish music festival.
Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Eddie Taff said last year the 650,000 visitors who came for the Fleadh gave a €65m boost to the local economy.
He said the town has been a "hub of activity" for the last few weeks as the organisers and volunteers, local businesses and local people aim to have an even bigger and better Fleadh than last year.
There will be around 40,000 - 50,000 competitors taking part in 180 competitions over a three-day period from next Friday.
Those musicians, dancers, singers and storytellers will compete at the different venues which are located across the town.
Read more: Are you heading to the Fleadh? The story of the very first Fleadh
There will be 1,000 volunteers dressed in bright yellow t-shirts to help people find their way around Wexford town where hundreds of gigs and sessions will take place.
Visitors will also enjoy the many buskers who will entertain them on the winding, narrow streets.
Wexford County Council have a traffic management plan with diversions, street closures and park and ride routes for visitors.
There will also be extra public transport services for the duration of the festival.
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