Hi world let me introduce myself.
My name’s Seán Quinn and I’m the new Tourism Development officer for Fáilte Feirste Thiar, we are tasked with developing West Belfast as a tourism destination. As part of my brief and this blog I will be asking leading figures in Culture, Arts, Hospitality, Music, Irish Language, Sport, Economic Development, Business, Politics, and Community Development to write about their ideas and organisations and how they contribute to making West Belfast a must see for any tourist visiting Ireland.
So our first piece is by Kevin Gamble new Director of Féile an Phobail
It’s Féile time again!
28th July till 7th August
Having grown up, lived and worked within West Belfast my entire life, it gives me great pleasure and it is with much pride that I introduce this year’s summer festival as Director of Féile an Phobail, the largest community festival in Ireland!
23 years ago this year, a group of West Belfast activists had a vision and a plan to show the people of Belfast, across Ireland and these islands, and internationally that we in West Belfast are proud of our culture, our heritage and our community – and that vision was made flesh in Féile an Phobail.
Once again, the staff and management have worked tirelessly to deliver a great programme, with a huge array of exciting arts, multi-cultural, sporting, debates and discussions, dramas, youth and music events for you to experience. This year’s highlights include headline music act The Stranglers, our famous comedy night with Des Bishop, Poc Fada in the grounds of Stormont, and the PJ McGrory Human Rights Lecture which will be delivered by the leading Palestinian spokesperson Hanan Ashwari.
We must also be the only festival to have three mayors launch events:
Lord Mayor Niall Ó Donnghaile of Belfast (the youngest ever Mayor of Belfast); Lord Mayor Brian Heading of Lisburn; and Lord Mayor Jame McKerrow of North Down.
As a result of Féile’s success thousands of tourists come to West Belfast from places such France, Germany, the Basque country, Catalonia, Spain, and America. They also come from places much closer to home Derry, Dublin, Cork, Galway and Armagh. They all come to see and take part in events that are run from Twinbrook down to the City Centre, the debates, the music, the tours, the exhibitions and so many more.
A big thank you must go to all of the community organisations and artists who have been working on the ground creating the local events that are the backbone of our great Féile.
Finally, I would also like to thank Arts Council NI and our many sponsors for their continued support. I look forward to seeing you at the many events throughout the Féile.
You can contact me and Féile through our website www.feilebelfast.com, with links to our Facebook, twitter and emails. You can also call and see us in Teach na Féile 473 Falls Road. Belfast BT12 6DD or ring (048) from the South of Ireland (028) from the UK and North of Ireland 90313440.
Kevin Gamble
Director
Féile an Phobail
