About
Fúinn
Our History
Féile an Phobail was established in 1988 as a direct response to the conflict in the north of Ireland.
Its purpose was to celebrate the positive side of the community, its creativity, its energy, its passion for the arts, and for sport. It furthermore aimed to provide events and entertainment at a price that the majority of the community could afford. In August 1988 the first Féile opened with a relatively humble parade of floats, bands and GAA clubs walking in their club regalia to an open-air party in Dunville Park. Street parties were organised throughout the West. Door-to-door collections were made to fund day trips to the seaside for pensioners and outings for young people.
Soon the street confrontations associated with the week around August 9th were displaced by a positive display of the community and its creativity. The August Féile has proved a resounding success, growing from strength to strength and inspiring other troubled areas to organise similar festivals. Our carnival parade routinely brings thousands of participants for a colourful, musical procession with specially-designed floats representing a chosen theme, dancers and children in costume and face masks. Féile an Phobail has grown from a one-week festival to being the largest community arts festival in Ireland with a year round programme of events.
About Féile
Féile an Phobail is based in West Belfast and is a registered charity/company limited by guarantee.
It provides a programme of arts, cultural and community-based activities throughout the year with its flagship festival, the August Féile being the highlight of Ireland’s festival calendar.
Féile an Phobail is renowned for its strong programming style with festivals that most certainly have something for everyone. Féile an Phobail also offer an increasing number of specialist festivals throughout the year; Draíocht, an arts festival for children and young people takes over the Halloween festivities and Féile an Earraigh that celebrates Irish and Celtic art and culture, music and language which takes place in Spring.
About
Flagship August Festival
The August Féile is a magnet for locals and visitors alike, attracting interest from across the globe. The 2 week festival is packed with an eclectic mix of events ranging from headline concerts, lively debates and discussions and art exhibitions to massive community and sporting events showcasing the very best of Belfast.
Féile An Earraigh
Infusing the hustle and bustle of the dynamic Gaeltacht Quarter with Irish Traditional Arts, Féile an Earraigh celebrates the Irish language, traditional music and culture through a range of events
including concerts, workshops, Irish language classes, tours, walks, sports and family events culminating with Belfast’s St Patrick’s Day festivities.
Draíocht Children’s Festival
The Halloween festival provides a diverse range of activities for children and young people through Féile’s dynamic youth and creative arts programme. Events take place during the Halloween school mid-term. The week long festival includes: Art exhibitions, outdoor family events, storytelling, dramas, workshops, the famous Féile Haunted House and concludes with a massive lantern parade and fireworks display at Fall Park Belfast.
Meet The Team
Community Engagement
Our Community Engagement Programme delivers an all-year round programme of activities and events across the city. We work with the young to old, those from the local to those from newcomer communities in a wide range of artistic and personal development programmes. We also work with community partners in sharing skills, resources, experiences and providing ongoing learning opportunities.
(Currently funded by Esmée Fairbairn)
Youth Arts
Feile and Phobail’s Youth Arts project promotes and celebrates the experiences, culture, creativity, skills and potential of young people from across Belfast.
We provide a year round programme of events focused on community and young people culminated in four festivals that run throughout the year.
The Youth Arts project provides a diverse range of opportunities for community participation and the expression of self-esteem and identity through arts, culture, Irish language, sporting, environmental, educational discussion and other activities.
Boards Members
- Cathaoirleach /Chairperson – Harry Connolly
- Rúnaí Comhlachta / Company Secretary – Padraig O’Muirigh
- Cisteoir Chomhlachta /Company Treasurer – Sam Baker
- Seán Mitchell
- Sue Ramsey
- Clíodhna Nic Bhranair
- Lauren Slane
Testimonials
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