Féile Derry

Thanks to everyone who took part in our first ever Equinox celebrations in Creggan today. Whether it was sharing a story, dancing, singing, playing, taking part in The Big Dander or the spring clean of the community or just celebrating the return of the light, we thank you all.

Thanks to all our partners whose support made this event possible including SureStart Edenballymore, Stmarys Youthclub. St Mary’s Scouts, Creggan Countrypark, Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership, DEEDS – Dementia Engaged and Empowered in Derry & Strabane, OLT HLC, Sean Dolans Gac, Trojans YCG, Holy Child Primary School and Nursery Unit, St Joseph’s Boys’ School, St Cecilia’s College, Derry, St. John’s Primary School, Community Restorative Justice, Triax – Neighbourhood Management Team, Rath Mor Warriors – K1/Kickboxing & Fitness Gym., North-West Carnival Initiative, Volunteer Investment Project, Creggan Library, Allegri and Hive Cancer Support.

Photos by Jim McCafferty.

A Communities In Transition project supported by The Executive Office.

Here’s what people had to say about Féile’s latest stage production, City Til I Die!

The play follows Derry City fanatic Tony Gillespie, played by Pat Lynch, as he tries to persuade his grandson Oisin, played by Michael O’Doherty, to be a Derry City supporter. The play examined what it truly means to be a Derry City supporter and how being a supporter enhances the lives of so many. The play celebrates the club’s history and the positive contribution the club and its fans make to the city.

And if you missed the chance to see the play, it has been recorded and will be premiered online on our YouTube/Facebook channels in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out!

City Til I Die is A Communities In Transition project funded by The Executive Office.

Remembering Roisin Barton

The finale of our International Women’s Day programme took place today in the Maldron Hotel. The room was filled with laughter, tears and fond memories as Roisin’s family, friends, neighbours and the wider community gathered to celebrate Roisin Barton’s contribution to the Women of the city.

Roisin was an extraordinary individual who touched the lives of so many in our community. Her unwavering commitment to fostering a sense of social justice, togetherness, compassion, and unity has left an indelible mark on the fabric of our community.

She embodied the spirit of selflessness and empathy. She possessed a genuine desire to make a positive difference in the lives of those around her, consistently going above and beyond to lend a helping hand. Her dedication to our community was unparalleled, and she was always at the forefront of initiatives aimed at uplifting others.

In memory of Roisin’s legacy, local women were presented recognition awards at the event for their contribution to the community. Entertainment provided by Flair. Compere by Muire McCallion.

A special thanks from Féile to the Barton family.

IWD 2024 #InspireInclusion

A Streets Alive project funded by Urban Villages

Come Celebrate Our Local Inspirational Women! #InspireInclusion

The International Women’s Day programme was launched at Meenan Square today with an outdoor photographic exhibition ‘Celebrating Local Inspirational Women’. The exhibition features photographic portraits by Jim McCafferty and artwork of inspirational women from the area both past and present. Among the women celebrated are well known residents and community workers Jeanette Warke, Eileen Allen, Kathleen Simpson, Mary Nelis, Martina Anderson and Tina McLaughlin.

The launch of the exhibition brought floods of residents from the Bogside, Brandywell and Fountain into the Meenan Square area to view the exhibition. The exhibition will run from 4th – 18th March 2024.

A Streets Alive Project funded by The Executive Office’s Urban Villages programme.

Remembering Roisin Barton

Friday 8th March

12pm – 2pm, The Maldron Hotel, Derry

This International Women’s Day on Friday 8th March, we would be delighted if you could join Féile for a special event remembering the much missed community activist Roisin Barton.

Roisin was always involved in something. An activist all her life, from her childhood running “messages” for her mother Nancy Keenan in the 1950s, to her last project, Forgotten Women, highlighting the role of Derry Republican women in the 1940s.

Republicanism, prisoner support, women’s rights and community activism marked her life and Derry is a better place for it.

We will be remembering Roisin’s achievements and the impact she left in our communities on International Women’s Day, Friday 8th March from 12pm – 2pm in The Maldron Hotel.

Tickets are limited and are available here: https://bit.ly/3uTBBod

Féile is delighted to announce our schedule of events for International Women’s Day 2024 in association with our partners

Cathedral Youth Club Fountain

Triax – Neighbourhood Management Team

Dove House Meenan

Creggan Neighbourhood Partnership

Hive Cancer Support

Eden Place Arts Centre

Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum

OLT HLC

There will be a variety of events across the town from the week beginning Monday 4th March including talks, exhibitions, debates, workshops and walks. Further information will be shared closer to the time, but if you have any questions feel free to get in touch with us or our partners listed above!

#InspireInclusion

CITY TIL I DIE – A NEW STAGE PRODUCTION FROM FÉILE

Féile have announced that rehearsals are under way for a new stage production, ‘City Til I Die’. The play, which examines what it means to be a die-hard Derry City supporter, will premiere this March.

Sign up to the mailing list below to ensure you don’t miss any important dates or information!

http://eepurl.com/h-pSI5

A Communities In Transition project funded by The Executive Office.

COMMIT TO BE FIT 2024

January’s not the easiest month to get through, but this year, we were determined to make a difference!

The community organisations in the Triax area came together to design a ‘Commit to be Fit’ programme, where local people and residents took part in a wide range of activities revolving around both mental and physical fitness, including exercise classes, sound baths and meditation, mental health awareness sessions, walking, and more!

Féile was delighted to produce this short video showcasing some of the sessions that took place over the last couple of weeks.

Triax – Neighbourhood Management Team

OLT HLC

Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum

Dove House Meenan

Cathedral Youth Club Fountain

Sean Dolans Gac

Hive Cancer Support

North West Youth Service

Volunteer Investment Project

Peaball

Thank you to everyone who helped organise these events and of course, to everyone who braved the snow to attend.

We’ve hit the ground running this year!

Something is in the works…

Sign up to Féile’s mailing list via the link below to ensure you never miss any important news, info or updates:

http://eepurl.com/h-pSI5

A quick word from Féile’s cameraman and filmmaker Ruairi to thank every one for turning up last night and those who assisted in the making of the film. For anyone who missed the screening of “Ráth Mór Warriors – Release Your Inner Warrior” in the nerve centre yesterday evening, we have good news – the film will be showing online tomorrow evening (Wednesday 24th January) at 7.30pm on our YouTube channel!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8MkRTPJ3Qd46qDwywlMRpw

Rath Mor Warriors – K1/Kickboxing & Fitness Gym.