FÉILE NEWS

Over 400 people attended the premiere of Féile’s latest stage show, In the Way of It, at St. Cecilia’s College.

The play, which was co-written by Conghaile McLaughlin and Michael McLaughlin along with Féile’s Ruairí Campbell, followed four students who meet an inspirational teacher and become friends during a week-long spell of detention.

Over the course of the week, the teacher learns of the issues facing the students and is able to reach them like no other teacher, inspiring them to follow their dreams and strive to reach their full potential in life.

The amazing cast included Shannon Wilkinson as Ms. Heaney, Pat Lynch as Sir, and Aisling Hutton as the Principal, Emma McDaid. The cast also featured Conan Hamilton, Ava Carlin, and Kelsi Clarke from St. Cecilia’s College, and Harley Nixon from St. Joseph’s Boys’ School.

A spokesperson for Féile said the play was a ‘huge success’ and thanked everyone who took part.

“Féile would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the cast who worked hard over recent months to ensure this play was a fantastic success, and a particular thanks to our fantastic Director, Shauna Kelpie. 

“A special thanks also to our Stage Manager, Fiona Harkin, St. Cecilia’s College, PS Audio, St. Mary’s Youth Club and the Creggan Artists for their help in making this production a huge success.

“We would like to thank the over 400 people who watched the production over two sittings, including young people from our local schools and youth clubs. They are the future, and it’s our hope that they can take inspiration from this production.

“In the Way of It was written by young people and from the perspective of young people on their lived experiences of growing up in Derry. It’s an innovative way of sharing their powerful story, dealing with difficult topics while also having a laugh along the way.”

Full photo album here.

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

Féile Derry has commissioned a new, bespoke mural on Central Drive, celebrating the community’s love for Derry City FC through fan anthem ‘Teenage Kicks’, while also honouring Creggan resident Vinny Cunningham, who recently passed away.

The mural, which runs from Central Drive to the corner of Fanad Drive, was painted by talented Derry street-art collective Peaball, with the help of children from Holy Child’s Primary School.

A spokesperson from Féile Derry said: “Féile Derry is really pleased to be unveiling this amazing new mural on Central Drive in Creggan with the words ‘Teenage Dreams so Hard to Beat’ – which celebrates the community’s passion for Derry City FC through fan anthem ‘Teenage Kicks’ by The Undertones.

“The football club is at the heart of this city, and this mural is a recognition of something that unites us all – the love of sport, music and art.

“It is also fitting that this mural recognises Vinny Cunningham, who has been a great friend and supporter to Féile, making a significant and positive contribution to the community over many years.   

“Féile had the great privilege of working with Vinny on several projects, and his contributions are still felt today, particularly through his help with our films and his role in visually telling the community’s story.

“A special thanks to the talented Derry street-art collective Peaball for their work on this magnificent piece of art with the help of the talented children from Holy Child Primary School.

“This is a continuation of Féile’s ‘Graffiti on the Walls’ initiative which has already seen the many spaces and walls across the area brought to life. This mural is another special addition to Central Drive.”

Donal O’Doherty, artist at Peaball, believes the mural is an example of how street art can be a powerful way of positively recognising people’s contributions to the community. He commented:

“Peaball was absolutely delighted to work on this project with Féile Derry, and it is especially fitting that we are helping to celebrate the life of local legend Vinny Cunningham.

“This is what community art is all about – recognising people’s significant contributions to society through vibrant, colourful displays at the heart of the community.

“It was particularly great to see the schools involved in this project, and we hope this will be a way of passing on Vinny’s legacy to the next generation.”

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

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.

Féile and the local community gathered at Creggan Country Park to celebrate the Spring Equinox. The event featured choral performances from Allegri, Momentum and Holy Child Primary School.

The spring equinox in 2025 occurred 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 huge thank you to everyone who came along, and to the choirs for their amazing performances to mark the beginning of Spring. And also to the Tasty Reel for supplying the beautiful breakfast. 

A Communities In Transition project funded by The Executive Office. 

All photos from the event can be viewed here.

Féile had a fantastic day at the Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, exploring the life and work of the Nobel Prize-winning poet who lived right on our doorstep.

Around 50 people came together to experience the brilliant exhibition, with Seamus Heaney’s story and powerful words brought to life through his own voice.

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

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.

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. 

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

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.