Coffin marched through Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter in Culture Night protest

A coffin was marched through the streets of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter in protest at the absence of Culture Night.

It has not taken place in Belfast since 2019 due to Covid and the withdrawal of government funding.

Amid the continuing absence of an official event publican Willie Jack, the owner of a number of prominent Belfast bars, decided to fill the gap.

Mr Jack told the Irish News: “It’s a lovely night the neon lights are lit, people are happy.

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“I just wish I could get the Assembly and the Council to run with this. They’re missing a huge trick tonight.

“It should not be up to two little pubs to put on.

“We are all proud of our city so let’s push it forward. Imagine how great this would be if we could involve everybody.”

Revellers lined the streets of the city centre hotspot for an evening of music, dance, drama and comedy.

On the night, more than 1,000 events celebrating Culture Night were held across the island of Ireland.

Since 2009, Culture Night had been run by the Cathedral Quarter Trust to promote locals arts, businesses and heritage in Belfast city centre.

However, following the withdrawal of funding last year it said it would not be involved in any future culture night events.

Belfast City Council said in May the council agreed to give £30,000 to facilitate “an engagement programme with the wider cultural sector, key funders, partners and other interested parties in relation to Culture Night from September 2025 onwards.”