A CELEBRATION of 150 years of a parish in Belfast's Sailortown district will take place later this month.
'The Gathering' is a three-day festival featuring music, parades, dancing and boxing and takes place at St Joseph's Church, which has been the centre of an ongoing community driven restoration.
Events, which take place from June 10 to 12, will also include a community market, performances by local musicians, Pint Sized Pop Up Street Theatre as well as sketching Sailortown sessions and the opportunity to experience the Sailortown heritage archives through film and displays.
The revival of St Joseph's Franciscan Friars tradition of the 'The Annual Blessing of the Animals' is also set to take place.
The Franciscan served the St Joseph's Community from 1984-1996 and the annual blessing is fondly remembered when parishioners brought their pets - from dogs to cats, turtles and guinea pigs - to receive a blessing of good health and well-being.
The event will give participants the opportunity to show off your pets of whatever variety in a family friendly event, with donations going to Crosskeenan Shelter.
Belfast singer Brian Kennedy will also perform in the iconic St Joseph’s Church, while DJ Johnny Hero will host a bingo night, which will help support St Joseph's restoration fund.
Christina Nelson also stars in a one-woman show by Patricia Gormley charting the misadventures of four generations of one west Belfast family, while Radio Ulster's Hugo Duncan will compere the Sailortown Dockers Club dance off.
For further information, please visit https://bit.ly/SailortownGathering
