Féile an Phobail, the biggest community arts festival in Ireland, returns for its 34th year from August 4-14 with over 300 events in total.
The official launch of this year’s Féile programme took place on Friday July 1, in St Mary’s University College on the Falls Road.
The main speaker was First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill MLA.
Féile an Phobail director Kevin Gamble gave a rundown of what the highlights of this year's Féile are going to be.
Kevin said: “In the city of Belfast, the month of August means its Féile time.
“Over the years, Féile an Phobail has developed enormously and is now the biggest community arts festival in Ireland, with over 300 events taking place this August.
“We have concerts, drama, art exhibitions, debates and discussions, lectures, carnival parades, parties in the park, sport, and visual arts.
“We are delighted that First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill was the main speaker at our launch event.
“This August, our debates and discussions programme will return to its long-standing home at St Mary’s University College, and we have a whole host of prominent speakers and panellists confirmed to take part.
“We will be holding four open-air concerts at our Falls Park event space and we will also be having our biggest ever Carnival Parade and Party in the Park.
“On Monday August 8 we have a massive Féile Dance Night taking place, headlined by world renowned DJ Timmy Trumpet.
“On Friday August 12 Imelda May will be live in concert at the Falls Park, supported by Damien Dempsey, and the phenomenon that is Irish language hip-hop band Kneecap.
“On Saturday August 13 we have the return of our Back to The 80s concert with major acts appearing live. This was an incredible night last year and tickets are selling really well for this concert.
“Famous singer and songwriter Paul Brady will be appearing live at The Devenish on Sunday August 7.
“Féile, from its outset in 1988, has sought to display and showcase the positives of West Belfast and the incredible talent and creativity that comes from that.
“We want to thank all our partners, funders, sponsors, and stakeholders, and most importantly our local community for their continued support.
“We hope you can all join us, enjoy, and celebrate the fantastic community that we have.
“Ticket sales for this year’s concerts and comedy shows have been incredible so far, with many events sold out, so we are advising you to get your tickets now. Don’t leave it until the last minute. When they are gone, they are gone.
“Let’s show the world why this is very much a Féile an Phobail– a festival of the people.
Féile runs from August 4-14 and you can view the full Féile events programme at feilebelfast.com. So come and join them as they celebrate their community celebration of global culture.
FÉILE 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
SPORT
Féile 10k Run
Malone College – Start and End
Sunday August 7 9am
With over 600 runners taking part last in 2021, it is going to be a big event!
Register online at https://site.corsizio.com/c/628e304885fe40ef68d08ba8/register
Fee includes t-shirt, timing chip, race number and medal
CONCERTS
Paul Brady
The Devenish, Belfast
Sunday August 7
Supported by Bernadette Morris
Tickets £25 available from Ticketmaster.ie
Féile Dance Night
Monday August 8
Falls Park, Belfast
Ticket Info to Follow
Imelda May, Damien Dempsey, Kneecap
Falls Park, Belfast
Friday August 12
Tickets £20 available from ticketmaster.ie
Back to The 80s
Falls Park, Belfast
Saturday August 13
Tickets £10 online from Ticketmaster.ie
DRAMA
Billy Boy
By Rosemary Jenkinson
Friday August 5 3pm and 8pm
A Play inspired by interviews with young bonfire builders
Cultúrlann MacAdam Ó Fiach, Falls Road
Tickets £12 available from eastsidearts.net
COMEDY
Paddy McDonnell
The Devenish, Belfast
Thursday August 4 – Limited Tickets Remaining available from Ticketmaster.ie
Friday August 5 – SOLD OUT
Shane Todd
The Devenish, Belfast
Friday August 12 – SOLD OUT
Saturday August 13 – SOLD OUT
DEBATES AND DISCUSSIONS
Preparing for a New Ireland
Thursday August 4 3pm
St Mary’s University College, Falls Road
Panellists - Seanadóir Erin McGreehan Fianna Fáil, Louise O’ Reilly Sinn Féin TD, Seanadóir Marie Sherlock Labour Party, and a Fine Gael representative.
Let’s Talk Politics
Monday August 8 3pm
St Mary’s University College, Falls Road
Panellists – David McCann, Alex Kane, Amanda Ferguson, Freya McClements
Annual James Connolly Lecture
Tuesday August 9 7pm
St Mary’s University College, Falls Road
By John Samuelson, International President of the Transport Workers Union in the United States, representing over 150,000 members across the airline, railroad, transit, universities, utilities, and services sectors, and is the former President of TWU Local 100 in New York City, the union’s largest local.
West Belfast Talks Back
Wednesday August 10 7pm
St Louise’s College, Falls Road
FAMILY AND CHILDREN
Féile Carnival Parade and Party in the Park
Saturday August 6
Carnival Parade – 12pm - Meet at Dunville Park to parade to Sportlann na hÉireann at 1pm
Party in the Park- 2-4pm Sportlann na hEireann
The Féile Carnival Parade ranks as one of the most colourful and inclusive parades in Ireland. Circus performers, music bands, street artists and more!
This year’s Party in the Park will bring a mix of local and international music and dance, inflatables, party games, sporting activities, and more!
Free Entry
Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Sunday August 7 12-3pm
Dunville Park, Belfast
They’ll have the usual fun chaos of inflatables, arts and crafts, petting farm, climbing tower, archery, with a few other surprises thrown in. Just make sure you grab a packed lunch, a blanket, Teddy Bear, and of course its owner.
Free Entry
COMMUNITY
International Food Fayre and Music
Tuesday August 9 12pm
Conway Mill, Falls Road
Our newcomer and ethnic minority communities deliver an exciting cultural experience with food, music, dance, and art. Featuring foods from Syria, Palestine, Poland, Albania, Greece, Nigeria, Mongolia, Ireland and China.
Free entry
LITERARY
Scribes at the Rock
Thursday August 11 3.30pm
Rock Bar, Falls Road
Contributions from Louise Kennedy, Damien Owens, and Deacon Blue lead singer Ricky Ross
Admission £10
