Féile Derry

A local volunteer programme is encouraging people across Derry to get involved in their community as part of this year’s Volunteers’ Week celebrations.

Volunteer Investment Project (VIP), which is part of Féile, has paid tribute to the volunteers who give up their time throughout the year to support local events, community groups and activities across the neighbourhood.

The project works with people of all ages, helping them get involved in their local area, gain new experiences and access accredited training while making a difference in their community.

With a busy summer programme ahead, organisers are now appealing for new volunteers to come on board.

Elaine Doherty, Project Coordinator with the Volunteer Investment Project, said:

“Volunteers’ Week is an opportunity to say thank you to all of the people who give up their time to help others and support their community.

“Every day, volunteers are helping out at events, supporting local groups and making a real difference to the lives of others. Their contribution is huge and helps make our community the best place it can be.

“We would encourage anyone who has ever thought about volunteering to get involved. It’s a great way to meet new people, learn new skills and give something back.

“We work with people of all ages and a wide range of community organisations. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills, gain accredited training and play a part in projects that are making a real difference in our community.

“We have a busy summer ahead with lots of exciting opportunities for volunteers to get involved, so this is the perfect time to come on board and be part of something positive in your local area.”

The Volunteer Investment Project supports volunteers across a range of community activities and provides opportunities to access accredited training and gain new skills and experience.

To find out more or get involved, contact the Volunteer Investment Project at [email protected]

A powerful new mural celebrating the many cultures and communities that now call Derry home has been created at Chapel Road as part of a PEACEPLUS Street Art Reimaging project led by Féile in collaboration with street artist collective Peaball.

The finished mural centres around a vibrant mosaic vase representing many separate pieces coming together as one, while the flowers growing from it reflect the individuality, creativity and beauty of different cultures living alongside one another.

The ‘Where Cultures Bloom’ mural was developed with young people from across the city who came together to learn about the history of street art in Ireland and help shape a piece of art reflecting the people, cultures and traditions that make up the city today.

Young people from Our Space Youth Club, Hillcrest Youth Club, Clooney Youth Club and the North West Migrants Forum all took part in the project, working together through a series of workshops and creative sessions.

They also travelled to Belfast for a street art tour of the city centre, learning more about the history and influence of murals and public art across Ireland.

Féile’s project coordinator Ruairí O’Connell said the project showed the power of art to bring young people together.

He said: “It’s been brilliant to see young people from all communities come together through this project and build friendships while creating something really positive for the area.

“The workshops gave participants the chance to learn about the history of street art and murals across Ireland, develop new creative skills and have real input into the final design of this beautiful mural.

“We’ve seen the power public art can have in transforming spaces and creating pride in an area. This mural is a reflection of the many cultures and communities that call our city home and a positive celebration of our diversity.

“It’s also a reminder of what can happen when young people from all communities are given the chance to work together, share ideas and shape the places they live in.”

The project was supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body, creating opportunities for young people to come together, share experiences and see new perspectives.

Children from local primary schools stepped into a world of DJ decks, animation, music-making and movie magic at Féile’s Creative Days.

Students from St Eugene’s PS, Nazareth House PS, Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir and Long Tower PS took part in four high-energy creative sessions held in schools and community centres, giving many their first experience of cutting-edge music and digital technology.

From mixing tracks and experimenting with DJ equipment to building instruments and creating their own music, young people got the chance to explore creativity in completely new ways.

Workshops also introduced the children to animation and filmmaking using iPads, stop-motion, time-lapse and visual effects apps, with children producing their own animated shorts and superhero-style videos.

Interactive visual displays, collaborative music sessions and hands-on workshops encouraged movement, imagination and self-expression, while helping build confidence and encouraging the kids to work together.

Led by experienced artists and facilitators, the programme opened the door to new creative skills and showed how music, technology and DIY culture can inspire future opportunities for young people.

Check out this video with the young people and artists on their experience of taking part in the workshops: https://youtu.be/l4PuM9fkbP4

Creative Days was delivered through a collaboration between Meenan Square Developments and Féile Derry, with funding provided through The Executive Office’s Urban Villages initiative.

Féile Derry has announced that the Irish alternative-folk six-piece Madra Salach will play at Cultúrlrann Uí Chanáin in Derry on Friday August 14^th as part of Féile 2026. 

Having completed a sold-out Ireland headline tour last winter, the band’s fanbase has grown rapidly following the release of their January 2026 debut EP It’s a Hell of an Age which reached No. 3 on the Irish Albums Chart.

Hot on the heels of their sold-out debut UK headline tour in March, the band performed a BBC 6 Music Maida Vale Session and announced they will also feature on The Songs of Shane MacGowan, an upcoming tribute album honouring the late Pogues frontman, alongside contributions from an all-star lineup including Bruce Springsteen, Primal Scream, Tom Waits, Johnny Depp, Lisa O’Neill, and more. 

They are set for a busy festival season with appearances lined up at Primavera, Roskilde, Green Man, Latitude, End of the Road and more, as well as supporting Kneecap at their massive Crystal Palace show this June.

Tickets go on sale on Friday 8th May at 10am at eventbrite.com.

“an unexpected and beguiling alloy of purity, poison and potency” – The Guardian

“Impossible to turn away from” – DIY Mag

“Madra Salach are proving to be a major force within modern Irish folk” – Rolling Stone UK

“A fresh spin on Irish folk with punk energy and ethos at its core” – NME

“There’s nothing quite like the live stage when it comes to Madra Salach” – The Line of Best Fit

“had the entire audience completely spellbound” – The Independent  

“they are capable of timeless narration, progressive arrangement and fierce delivery” – So Young

“Very emotional, kind of anarchic… I can’t wait for what this band does next” – Ann Powers NPR

More than 60 children from Nazareth House Primary School, St Eugene’s Primary School, Long Tower Primary School and Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir came together for a fun-filled Easter egg hunt along the Foyle Greenway.

The young people were split into mixed-school teams at the start of the day, giving them the chance to meet new friends and work together with children from other schools.

A series of team-building challenges led by Far & Wild got everyone warmed up before they set off on the 1km route along the banks of the River Foyle.

Working together, the teams ran along the Greenway, keeping their eyes peeled for hidden Easter eggs along the way.

The event finished at the Daisyfield Sports Hub, where every child was rewarded with a medal and a goody bag after completing the challenge.

The day wasn’t about competition, but about bringing children together, helping them work as a team and make new friends.

The Easter Hop is part of Féile’s Connect:Interact:Create Programme, funded by The Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Fund.

Young people at St Joseph’s Boys’ School have been developing their photography skills as part of a Féile project, with their work now showcased in a school exhibition that has already been viewed by hundreds of students and staff.

The students took part in practical photography sessions with Sinead Crumlish, learning how to use DSLR cameras while documenting everyday school life and capturing images of nature in the Creggan area.

Ruairi O’Connell from Féile said the project helped pupils build confidence and ‘unleash’ their creative skills.

He said: “This project gave the boys a real opportunity to build confidence and unleash their creative skills through photography.

“From the start, the students engaged well with the sessions and showed a strong interest in learning how to use the equipment and improve their photography skills.

“They were encouraged to capture their own surroundings, from everyday life in the school to the natural environment around Creggan, and that really came through in the final images.

“The standard of work now on display shows the effort they put in and the progress they’ve made over the course of the project.”

Mr Cathan Parkhill, KS4 SPL Teacher at St. Joseph’s Boy’s School, said the programme had a really positive impact on the students.

He said: “The boys really benefited from taking part in this project. It gave them the chance to try something new, work with professional equipment and learn skills they wouldn’t normally experience in the classroom.

“They showed great enthusiasm throughout, and that is reflected in the quality of the photographs now on display. It has been very positive to see them take pride in their work and in how they have represented their school and local area.

“I want to thank Féile for giving our school the opportunity to be involved in this project. It has been a valuable experience for our pupils, and we look forward to working together in the future on more important initiatives like this.”

The programme is funded through the Executive Office’s Communities in Transition programme.

Children from five local primary schools have come together with Féile to explore the origins of the oak tree in Derry’s history through storytelling and art.

Young people from Nazareth House PS, Fountain PS, St Eugene’s PS, Long Tower PS and Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir took part in Our Shared Roots, working with storyteller Peter Heaney and artist Sinéad Crumlish.

Through a series of workshops, the children heard local myths and legends and learned about the importance of the oak tree in the city’s history, including its links to Colmcille and the early origins of Derry.

Each child then created their own oak leaf, reflecting their own ideas about heritage and belonging, which now forms a beautiful oak tree.

Féile’s Eibhlin Morrison, Project Co-ordinator, said it had been “fantastic” to see the young people coming together to celebrate their shared heritage.

She said: “It’s been fantastic to see children from different schools coming together and exploring our shared heritage in such a creative and hands-on way.

“They’ve been learning about local myths and the importance of the oak tree in the history of the city where they live, but also bringing their own ideas and creativity to bring those stories to life.

“Féile would like to thank all the schools who took part, and Peter and Sinéad who were brilliant with the children and really brought the workshops to life.

“Every leaf is different, but together they show what the children have in common, and their shared hopes and dreams for the future.”

The young people’s art is now on display in the garden of Aras Cholmcille – St. Columba Heritage Centre on Long Tower Street, and everyone is welcome to visit.

Our Shared Roots is part of Féile’s Connect:Interact:Create Programme, funded by The Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Fund.

An iconic piece of graffiti in Derry has been transformed with a new, vibrant work of art by world-renowned street artist Dave Bonzai.

The ‘Keeper Lit Sunshine’ message in the Brandywell, which was a much-loved feature in Derry’s street art, was recently damaged by unsightly graffiti.

Southampton-based artist Bonzai has been in Derry this week working with Féile to transform the wall, while keeping its original uplifting message.

Speaking after the mural was completed, a spokesperson for Féile said:

“The ‘Keeper Lit Sunshine’ mural, while simple in design, had become a source of positive inspiration for so many people.

“When the writing became badly damaged over recent months, Féile quickly identified an opportunity to create something beautiful while keeping its uplifting message.

“It was fantastic to have the opportunity to work alongside an international artist like Dave Bonzai to create this beautiful new piece of art in the Brandywell.

“The response to the new artwork has been phenomenal, which shows just how much an uplifting message can have a positive impact on people’s everyday lives. We’re delighted to now see it completed.”

Artist Dave Bonzai added:

“The reaction to the mural was amazing – people loved it. Everyone knew what it meant. People passing in cars were beeping their horns and shouting ‘keep er lit’ out the window.

“I’ve had a great time here over the last few days. It’s always a pleasure to come to Derry. The people are fantastic.”

The original message clearly struck a chord with people across the city. Many spoke about how it lifted their mood in passing – something as simple as a few words on a wall making people smile.

“I remember the first time I drove by and saw it – and every time after it made me smile,” one resident said. “It was disappointing to see it defaced, so it’s great to see it getting a bit of a lift again.”

Others shared similar thoughts, saying it “always gives you a wee boost” and praising the work as “making Derry shine brighter.”

Over recent months, Féile has worked with street-artists Peaball, local schools and the wider community through its ‘Graffiti on the Walls’ project to bring spaces to life across Creggan and the Brandywell, replacing unsightly graffiti with vibrant new murals.

The project forms part of Féile’s Graffiti on the Walls initiative, funded by the Executive Office’s Communities in Transition programme, which supports improvements to the physical landscape in Creggan and the Brandywell.

Women from across the Bogside, Bishop Street, Brandywell and Fountain neighbourhood gathered with Féile on International Women’s Day to share their stories and recognise the inspirational women who make a real difference in our community every single day.

A group of formidable women from different backgrounds and generations came together to reflect on their journeys and speak about the activism and community work they have been involved in over the years.

The event was inspired by the memory of Roisin Barton, whose lifelong commitment to social justice, equality and compassion left a lasting mark on so many.

During the gathering, women spoke in groups about their own experiences, the projects they have been part of, and why they continue to stand up and work to make life better for others.

Féile would like to thank all the women who continue to make a difference in our community and across society and recognised the important role they play in helping to build a brighter future for everyone.

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

Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/950833880712156

A new mural has been added to Creggan’s now-famous ‘outdoor gallery’ on Central Drive, completed by Féile in partnership with local street art collective Peaball.

The latest artwork features the traditional Irish Claddagh ring, representing love, friendship and loyalty, accompanied by two native birds.

It joins together two existing pieces completed in 2023 by acclaimed street artists Emic and Friz.

‘Derry Dryad’ was inspired by ‘Doire’ (the oak grove) and the tree spirits in Greek mythology, said to be protectors of trees and forests.

‘Younger Days’ features a young person walking in nature and draws inspiration from the poem ‘Blackberry Picking’ by Seamus Heaney.

Several new nature and environmental murals have also been completed in recent months with the creative help of local primary school children, sparking conversation in the community about Creggan’s wildlife and natural heritage.

Residents have spoken about the “transformation” of walls, electric generators and community and play facilities across the neighbourhood, with bright, modern artwork replacing unsightly graffiti.

The project forms part of Féile’s Graffiti on the Walls initiative, funded by the Executive Office’s Communities in Transition programme, which supports improvements to the physical landscape in Creggan and the Brandywell.