Féile 35 - Céad Míle Fáilte

In the city of Belfast, the month of August means its Féile time!

Over the years, Féile an Phobail has developed enormously to become the biggest community arts festival in Ireland.

This year’s Féile an Phobail was a special one.

As it was our 35th anniversary our aim was to make it the biggest and best Féile ever held – and the record audiences and fantastic feedback suggest we achieved that!

In total over 120,000 people attended the festival over 11 days. Over 400 events, in 50+ venues throughout the entire City, including over 75 debates and discussions, over 50 art exhibitions, a host of literary, sporting and theatre events, a massive carnival parade with thousands in attendance, a series of family, community, Irish language, and environment events, five 12,500 capacity concerts and a world class major boxing event headlined by local boxing hero Padraig McCrory and screened live across the world.

This year seen the continued relationship and partnership with Foras na Gaeilge and Conradh na Gaeilge continue to develop, with an increased emphasis on high quality Irish language events and promotion throughout the entire festival.

We also welcomed representatives from all communities here to Féile to have their voice heard, including our minority ethnic communities, representatives of the PUL community, former British soldiers, and international delegates and visitors.

We had the former British Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn MP, delivering a speech on The Choice for Ireland; Pat Cullen, the CEO of the Royal College of Nursing discussing the future of Health and Care in Ireland, and GAA President-Elect Jarlath Burns in conversation with Peter Finn.

Other debates and discussions highlights included West Belfast Talks Back, Can The Case For The Union Be Made, Let’s Talk Politics, and The Ghost Limb: Stories of Alternative Protestant Lives. Marc Almond, Ryan McMullan, Boylife, KneeCap, The Whistlin Donkeys, The Wolfe Tones and Fivestar were just some of the world class international artists we had live in concert. Our massive Féile Dance Night with over 10,000 FREE tickets took place on Tuesday 8th August, with local DJ’s playing alongside international superstar DJ’s. We also had world famous Irish singer and songwriter Phil Coulter perform a mesmorising concert in the fantastic surrounds of the redeveloped St Comgalls building on the Falls Road.

We had three Féile Comedy Nights featuring Neil Delamere, Ciaran Bartlett, and Mickey Bartlett, our annual International Food Fayre, Scribes at The Rock and a fantastic Irish themed trail in the Falls Park for all of the family to take part in called Slí na Sí.

Féile an Phobail was formed in 1988 at a time of intense conflict and tragedy here in West Belfast. From its outset Féile has sought to display and showcase the positives of West Belfast and the incredible talent and creativity that comes from that.

Who thought that 35 years later, we would have seen the scale of the growth of Féile that has occurred.

We have a lot to thank the visionaries who founded Féile an Phobail for they gave the West Belfast community a light that shines brighter each year.

Significantly in recent years, the hard work and commitment of Féile staff and volunteers, community organisations, political representatives, and Belfast City Council, with the support of the local community, has achieved a bonfire free Belfast on 8th August.

All those involved in achieving this deserve praise, as in past years these unwanted bonfires have brought destruction and an increase in anti-social behaviour to the areas in which they were held.

The benefit of the absence of these unwanted bonfires is significant.

As well as the positive images emanating from the festival events, showcasing Belfast in a positive light, there is also the considerable benefit to the city’s economy which the associated increase in visitor footfall and spending brings due to Féile.

Over the last 35 years, Féile has a proven track record of delivering significant cultural, social and economic benefits to the city of Belfast, and this increases with each year that passes. The August Féile brings in over £6 Million in additional spending to the local economy. It shines a bright and positive light on the community of West Belfast and welcomes local, national and international visitors to come and join in our culture, craic and unrivalled showcase of community spirit and resilience.

Work is already underway to programme August Féile 2024, and we look forward to once again welcoming the world to our amazing festival and City.