Féile Derry

Derry's largest community based arts and cultural festival!

Féile’s short film to air at Film Festival in Rome

Good Tidings We Bring, a short film produced by Féile in collaboration with IFTA-nominated filmmaker Seán Mullan, will be showcased at the Irish Film Festa 2025 in Rome on Sunday 30 March.

Eibhlín Morrison, Project Co-Ordinator at Féile, said:

“Féile is delighted that the film has been selected for this special screening at the festival, offering not only a chance to reflect on the important social issues faced by people here in Derry and the strength of our communities in supporting those in need, but also to share these powerful messages to an international audience.”

The film explored the themes of immigration, community, housing, and the struggles facing young people across Ireland today.

Taking inspiration from the traditional Christmas story, the film followed a pregnant mother who is desperately searching for somewhere to stay as the birth of her child nears. In her journey, the young woman finds unexpected refuge in an unlikely place, highlighting the importance of community and compassion in times of crisis.

The film featured a talented cast of local actors, including Shannon Wilkinson, Shoma Hasan, and Shimin Hasan, as well as the talented children from primary schools across the Bogside, Brandywell, Fountain, and Bishop Street areas.

Good Tidings We Bring was a project within Féile’s Connect:Interact:Create Programme, which is supported by The Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Fund.

By Féile Derry, ago

Creggan community present striking willow-woven Dara knot to thousands at Spring parade

Tens of thousands of people filled the streets of Derry for this year’s Spring Carnival Parade, where children from Seán Dolan’s GAC, Trojans YCG, and the Volunteer Investment Project proudly carried a striking Dara Knot – handmade by the Creggan community using the ancient Celtic art of willow weaving.

A Féile Derry spokesperson said:

“This stunning piece, crafted in the ancient Celtic tradition of willow weaving by the people of Creggan – residents, community workers, and young people from local schools, sports groups, and community organisations – who worked alongside acclaimed artist Brendan Farren to bring this vision to life.

“Inspired by the deep roots of the ancient oak tree, long seen in Celtic culture as a symbol of strength, wisdom, and endurance, this artwork represents the interwoven nature of the Creggan community.

“A special thanks to the North West Carnival Initiative for helping us showcase this amazing artwork in the heart of the city centre, reaching tens of thousands of people. Big thanks also to the young people who carried the knot – they should feel very proud of their contribution to this project.

“This is part of a wider series of events taking place throughout March in Creggan as part of the Dara festival celebrating the interwoven nature of the Creggan community through music, dance, art, theatre and stories.”

A Communities in Transition project, funded by the Executive Office.

By Féile Derry, ago

Féile to mark Equinox with Creggan Country Park choral performance 

This Thursday, 20th March, Féile invites the community to gather at Creggan Country Park to celebrate the Spring Equinox. The event, which will run from 8:30am to 9:30am, will feature choral performances from Allegri, Momentum, and Holy Child Primary School.  

The spring equinox in 2025 occurs at 09:01am on 20th March, marking what is officially the first day of spring. This is the vernal or spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the point in the year when day and night are the same length.

For millennia, the spring equinox has represented longer days, new beginnings, seeds, a rebalancing of light and dark, celebration, and the birth of animals and colourful flowers all around the world. For ancient cultures, these astronomical phenomena were a reliable way to record the yearly/seasonal cycle and were incorporated into their cultural and religious practices.

The equinox, or Cónocht an Earraigh in Gaelic, has held a special place in Ireland for thousands of years. Some speculate that the close proximity of the spring equinox to St Patrick’s Day is due to a merging of ancient Celtic traditions with more modern Christian rituals. 

A Communities In Transition project funded by The Executive Office. 

By Féile Derry, ago

Cork-Based sensation Kabin Crew creates new track with Derry schools

Cork-based nonprofit, Kabin Crew, has quickly become a household name after their viral hit ‘The Spark’ took the internet by storm last year. The track, made by young rappers, exploded online picking up billions of views across TikTok and YouTube.

Building on this success, producers from Kabin Studios teamed up with talented young people from St. John’s Primary School and Holy Child Primary School in Creggan for an exciting new project. In a collaboration organised by Féile Derry, Kabin Studios visited Derry’s Celtronic Studios, where the students wrote the lyrics and crafted the beats for a brand-new track.

Féile Derry, in partnership with Kabin Studios, is proud to highlight the incredible talent of these young people and their ability to produce a powerful and energetic new track.

A video documenting the workshops and featuring testimonials from the young people and Garry McCarthy, from Kabin Studio, can be viewed here:

Facebook: https://fb.watch/y7-BILJgPr/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG0Tbjrpxvh

YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZMZcznrS_-0

By Féile Derry, ago

Féile honours ten local women in memory of community champion Roisin Barton

In celebration of our dear friend and community champion, Roisin Barton, Féile honoured the incredible contributions of 10 outstanding women in our community for International Women’s Day.

A heartfelt thanks to Candace Partridge, Daisy Mules, Jean Rodgers, Karinne Doherty, Kathleen McCallion, Kathleen Simpson, Monica McGuigan, Shauna Gill and Megan Nicell (Family of Sister Clare Crockett), and the late Sadie Callan and Anne Doherty who were represented by their families.

These women have worked tirelessly to better the lives of those in the Bogside, Brandywell, Bishop Street and Fountain areas over many years.

This event was part of Féile’s Connect:Interact:Create Programme, funded by The Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Fund.

By Féile Derry, ago

Roisin Barton Awards to celebrate local community heroes on International Women’s Day

To mark International Women’s Day 2025, Féile Derry will host the second annual Roisin Barton Awards, celebrating the vital contributions of women to the betterment of the community in the Bogside, Brandywell, Bishop Street, and Fountain areas of Derry.

This special event will bring together Roisin Barton’s family, friends, neighbours, and the wider community to remember and honour her outstanding legacy with 10 women from the local community being presented with awards in recognition of their dedication to making a difference in the lives of others.

A spokesperson for Féile Derry said:

“Féile Derry is incredibly proud to host the second annual Roisin Barton Awards this year in celebration of International Women’s Day.

“Roisin Barton was an extraordinary individual whose dedication to social justice, equality, and compassion left a lasting imprint on Derry’s community, and in particular the Bogside and surrounding areas.

“Her selflessness and tireless efforts to uplift those around her are remembered fondly by all who knew her and is reflected in the major physical transformation across our community over recent years.

“These awards are an opportunity to honour her legacy by recognising the work of 10 local women who have demonstrated the same spirit of commitment, empathy, and positive community action that Roisin embodied throughout her life.

“By honouring these local women, we continue Roisin’s work and celebrate the extraordinary contributions being made in our own community every day.”

Áine Barton, Roisin’s Daughter: “My mother, Roisin Barton, was the epitome of kindness and determination to better people’s lives. She was always there for us and all those who needed her, and she truly believed in the power of community.

“Seeing her legacy live on through these awards is something that our family hold very dear and we would like to thank Féile for honouring our mother’s memory.

“I’m so proud that her spirit continues to inspire and recognise the women who are making a real difference in our city. This is a fitting tribute to all the selfless women who continue to champion justice, equality, and community spirit, just like our Roisin.”

A ceremony will be held in Maldron Hotel on Friday 7th March 2025 from 12pm-2pm to present the awards.

The event is part of Féile’s Connect-Interact-Create project, funded by The Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Fund.

By Féile Derry, ago

Hundreds celebrate Valentine’s Day at Féile’s family celebration

Féile’s Family Valentine’s Day event was a fantastic success, with hundreds of people and families enjoying a fun-filled afternoon at the Gasyard Centre.

There was plenty to keep everyone entertained, including performances from Caolan the Magician and Kazoo the Clown, along with music from Ciara, Ramon and Marty Healy.

For the younger ones, SureStart Edenballymore provided entertainment with Mini Melo Beats and Tricia’s Time to Rhyme. There were also arts and crafts, face painting, and balloon modelling, plus food from Gather at the Gasyard.

Thanks to everyone who attended ‘Love, Laughs and Magic’ to celebrate Valentine’s Day together with Féile and to all the volunteers and performers who made the event a huge success!

The event was part of Féile’s Connect-Interact-Create project, funded by The Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Fund.

Photos: Event Images Derry

By Féile Derry, ago

Féile teams up with local schools to explore electronic music production

Féile Derry teamed up with Creggan-based primary schools, Holy Child PS and St John’s PS, along with local DJs, to offer an exciting opportunity for children to explore electronic music, beat-making, songwriting, and hip-hop production.

The six-week programme’s goal was to inspire young people to tap into their creativity and develop skills for the future in music production.

A video documenting the workshops and featuring testimonials from the young people that took part can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/CdJMEMYGRg4

Reflecting on the programme’s success, a spokesperson for Féile Derry said:

“We were delighted to work with Holy Child PS and St John’s PS on this fantastic project. It was wonderful to see such enthusiastic young people come together to explore the world of electronic music and production.

“These workshops helped them learn valuable skills in DJing, songwriting, and beat-making, as well as working together to create good music. We’re excited to see how they continue to develop their creative talents in the future.”

Shay Whelan from Celtronic Studios describes the students’ hands-on experience:

“The students had the opportunity to learn how to DJ and work with a range of cutting-edge music production equipment. From beat-making to mixing sounds, they explored the fundamentals of songwriting and hip-hop production, writing their own songs and recording their voices.

“They gained valuable hands-on experience that will serve them well in the future. I hope we have inspired Derry’s next generation of young DJs.”

Principals of the schools who took part in the programme comment on the students’ experiences:

Pat Concannon, Principal of Holy Child PS, shared her thoughts:

“Our students had an amazing time working on this project, and we can’t thank Féile enough for making it happen! It was a fantastic way for them to unleash their creativity and learn new skills in music production. The energy, teamwork, and collaboration throughout the project was just brilliant to see.

Geraldine O’Connor, Principal of St John’s PS, also expressed her appreciation:

“The project was a huge success with our children. It allowed them to engage with music in a new and exciting way, and they loved working together to create their own tracks. It was a perfect blend of creativity and fun, and I hope we can take part in similar programmes in the future.”

This programme was part of Féile’s Imagine-Create project, a Communities in Transition initiative funded by The Executive Office.

By Féile Derry, ago

January 2025: Féile celebrates North West Carnival Initiative

Féile Derry recently premiered its latest film, A North West Carnival Story – Engage, Inspire and Celebrate, which highlighted the work of the Creggan-based North West Carnival Initiative (NWCI) and its significant role in the growth of major community and cultural events in the city, such as the Spring Festival and Halloween.

Watch the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0rzYRSbiDM

The film featured interviews with key figures, including Project Manager Jim Collins, Ollie Green from Studio2, and volunteers, artists, and organisations like Kabalikat in NW, Destined, City of Derry Rugby Club, and Rainbow School of Dance, all of whom took part in the city’s carnival parades.

A spokesperson for Féile Derry said: “For over 20 years, the North West Carnival Initiative has been central to Derry’s carnival celebrations, helping generate interest in carnival arts and producing the iconic Spring Carnival and the world-renowned Halloween event. This film celebrates the hard work and dedication that have made the NWCI a cornerstone of Derry’s cultural life, reflecting the commitment of the Creggan-based team who transformed our city into a vibrant centre of creativity.”

Féile Derry has worked closely with the NWCI on several major projects, including the successful Lúnasa event and parade through Creggan.

The film also highlighted the growth of Halloween in Derry, with the Carnival Initiative playing a key role in turning a small community event into a world-renowned celebration. Today, Derry attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, making it one of the top Halloween destinations globally.

“Carnival parades have not only become a key part of Derry’s identity but have also reinvigorated the city’s arts scene and revitalised the city centre,” the spokesperson added. “This film captures that journey and the people behind it.”

Jim Collins, Project Manager at NWCI, said: “We were delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate and promote the creativity of the community. The film captures this journey, and we hope it encourages people to continue supporting the volunteers and organisations that make it all happen. We’d also like to thank Féile Derry for their support in bringing this film to life.”

Looking ahead to the Spring Carnival in March, he called on individuals and groups to get involved and help make the St Patrick’s Day parade a huge success. “Volunteering with the North West Carnival Initiative is a fantastic way to contribute to your community, and we would love to welcome new faces to help with preparations. Whether you’re interested in costume making, event coordination, or taking part in the parade, there’s something for everyone.”

The North West Carnival Initiative can be contacted at 028 7141 4243 or by emailing [email protected].

The film was produced as part of Féile Derry’s Communities in Transition project, funded by The Executive Office.

By Féile Derry, ago

December 2024:Féile short films address important issues in Derry’s communities

Féile Derry released two impactful short films focusing on important issues in Derry’s communities, particularly in the Creggan, Bogside, Brandywell, Bishop Street, and Fountain areas.

The first film, Good Tidings We Bring, was created in collaboration with IFTA-nominated filmmaker Sean Mullan. The poignant Christmas story follows a pregnant mother searching for shelter as the birth of her child nears, exploring themes of immigration, housing, and community struggles. Featuring local actors such as Shannon Wilkinson, Shoma Hasan, and Shimin Hasan, the film highlights the power of community and compassion during times of crisis.

A spokesperson for Féile said, “Good Tidings We Bring is about highlighting the resilience of people who, despite adversity, find support and kindness in unexpected places. The film explores the very real issue of housing, especially in the run-up to Christmas, while reinforcing the power of community spirit in times of need.”

You can watch the film here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTzfAClPiNI

The second film, Home Time, addresses the growing issue of emigration among young people in the Creggan area. It follows Kevin, a young man returning from Australia after three years, who faces a tough decision between his life abroad and helping his friend Jack, who struggles with a gambling addiction. Home Time explores the tough choices young people face when deciding whether to stay in their community or leave in search of better opportunities.

The spokesperson added, “Home Time is about the tough choices young people face when pulled between home and the promise of a new life elsewhere. It’s a story of personal conflict and loyalty, where the decision to stay or leave isn’t just about opportunity—it’s about the deep connections that tie us to our community.”

Home Time was created with support from local actors and community organisations, including Oakleaf Boxing Club, Rath Mór Warriors Kickboxing Gym, and Holy Child Primary School.

You can watch Home Time here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jSg4xW0RK8

Both films are part of Féile’s ongoing commitment to creating films and sharing narratives that reflect the experiences, struggles, and aspirations of the people of Derry. Through these stories, Féile hopes to encourage dialogue, understanding, and action on the challenges facing communities across Ireland.

Good Tidings We Bring is part of Féile’s ‘Connect-Interact-Create’ project, funded by The Executive Office. Home Time was also funded by The Executive Office as part of Féile’s Communities in Transition project.

By Féile Derry, ago