Central Drive: The faces. The places. The spaces.
This is the heart of Creggan. As part of our ‘People Make Central Drive’ exhibition, Féile spoke to those who live, work, study and grew up here about what makes this street so special.
📸 The exhibition, created in collaboration with artist Molly Keane, is still on display at Holy Child Primary School. A Communities in Transition project, funded by the Executive Office.
The Volunteer Investment Project (VIP) at Féile has been awarded the Volunteer Friendly Award in recognition of its ongoing commitment to supporting community volunteers.
The award acknowledges the years of work that have gone into valuing and supporting volunteers – especially the young people who play a major part in organising successful community events.
Speaking after receiving the award at the Guildhall today, Elaine Doherty, Project Manager of the Volunteer Investment Project (VIP) said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to get this award and the recognition that comes with it. Our volunteers are at the heart of everything – their energy, ideas and commitment are the backbone of successful community events.
“Our volunteers have put in thousands of hours supporting different community events, including supporting thousands of people at family gatherings and music events and a range of other events.
“Working with Volunteer Investment Project has really been a life-changing experience for our young people, helping them to build their confidence, getting work and life experience and also achieving recognised qualifications.
“Volunteering is about stepping up, being part of something, and making your community the best possible place to live. There is no better time to get involved, no matter what age you are.”
The Volunteer Investment Project is currently recruiting volunteers, with opportunities to learn, access qualifications and make a difference – especially as another packed summer of Féile events gets underway in August 2025.
Children from Long Tower PS, Nazareth House PS, Fountain PS, Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir and St. Eugene’s PS recently took part in Made in Our City – My Shirt, My Story – a project exploring the history of the city’s shirt factories.
From the late 19th Century, Derry became a global centre for shirt-making and by the 1920s, the city was home to more than 40 factories, employing thousands of workers.
The factories were central to people’s daily lives, and their influence and legacy is still felt in many families across the city today.
Artist Caroline Devenney worked closely with the children, helping them to connect with the stories behind our city’s once thriving shirt-making industry and supporting them in creating their own textile-based artworks, while Deirdre Williams, an expert in the Shirt Factories, gave the children a real sense of the people who worked in the factories.
The fantastic pieces produced by the children are now part of Féile’s latest exhibition, currently on display at Abercorn Play Park, right next to the site of the old Tillie and Henderson shirt factory.
A big thank you to all the schools who took part – and to Caroline and Deirdre – for helping bring these important stories to life.
This project was part of Féile’s Connect:Interact:Create programme, supported by the Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Fund.
‘Football at the Heart’ explores a remarkable footballing journey spanning over five decades in the Brandywell area of the city — a small housing estate, just half a mile in radius, that has produced some of Derry’s greatest sporting talents.
From the rise of Brandywell Harps, through the decline of local football, to the birth of Ballymoor FC and their long road home to the Daisy Field — a story shaped by community, dedication and a love of the game.
Now, football is back where it belongs — at the heart of the Brandywell.
A Communities in Transition project, funded by the Executive Office.
Féile’s ‘Lunch with a Laugh’ at the Bishop’s Gate Hotel was a huge success.
People from across the Bogside, Brandywell, Bishop Street and Fountain areas packed out the Bishop’s Gate Hotel for an amazing two course lunch, followed by a hilarious comedy set from one of the rising stars on the island’s comedy scene.
Paddy McDonnell, well-known for selling out venues across Britain and Ireland, recently completed a tour of Scotland and England—and he didn’t disappoint, leaving everyone in stitches.
A fantastic way to start off the week – with great food and great craic!
This event was part of Féile’s Connect:Interact:Create programme, supported by the Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Fund.
Nailors Row came alive as children from four local primary schools took part in the second annual Anthony Hegarty 1km Dash.
Children from Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir, Nazareth House PS, Long Tower PS, and St Eugene’s PS joined in the event to stay active and have fun while also celebrating our city’s athletic history.
The dash honours Anthony Hegarty, a renowned local athlete born in Nailors Row in December 1892. Hegarty brought pride to Derry as a silver medallist in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics.
Malcolm McCausland, author of Lion for a Day, was at the event to share Hegarty’s inspiring story with the young people who took part in the fun run.
Féile would like to thank all the schools and the young people who took part in the dash. Their energy and excitement helped make it a successful event!
This event was organised in partnership with the Bogside & Brandywell Health Forum and supported by The Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Fund through Féile’s Connect:Interact:Create programme.
‘People Make Creggan’ is a new outdoor exhibition by Féile Derry celebrating Central Drive, the beating heart of the famous Creggan estate.
The exhibition, created in collaboration with acclaimed photographer Molly Keane, showcases the people who make Central Drive a thriving community.
Central Drive is the beating heart of Creggan, home to shops, schools, and community centres that bring people together.
Through a series of compelling portraits, this exhibition celebrates the school children, young people, teachers, workers, residents, youth and community workers, and inspirational figures who are the face of this vibrant community.
Each photograph tells a story, capturing those who call this wonderful area home, and the hustle and bustle of one of the city’s busiest streets.
‘People Make Creggan’ which is made up of 60 photos, is now on display at Holy Child’s Primary School on Central Drive and we would invite everyone to come along and view this fantastic piece of artwork.
Féile would like to thank everyone who took part in this exhibition and to Molly Keane for her fantastic work in capturing these amazing portraits.
A Communities in Transition project, funded by the Executive Office.
Féile Derry’s latest film, ‘Football at the Heart – A Ballymoor Story’, premiered at the Nerve Centre this week and is set to launch online this Sunday 6 April at 7pm.
The film explores a remarkable footballing journey spanning over five decades in a small but proud housing estate, of just half a mile in radius, nestled along the banks of the River Foyle called the Brandywell.
In the 1970s and early 1980s, this tight-knit community was the epicentre of youth football in the city, home to some of the most competitive football anywhere in Ireland through the success of Brandywell Harps and other local outfits.
Many of Derry’s greatest footballing talents hail from this area, including international stars such as Liam Coyle, Johnny Campbell, Jim McLaughlin, Fay Coyle, and many more.
The re-emergence of Derry City FC in 1985 coincided with a decline in youth football in the Brandywell, which eventually faded from the area. However, in the early 2000s, a group of local people came together with a vision – and from that, Ballymoor was born.
Over the past 20 years, Ballymoor has grown from strength to strength. Despite setbacks, including the loss of their home at the Daisy Field, the club has persevered and remained a footballing force in the city.
Now, after years of campaigning and hard work, football is set to return home to the Brandywell. In the coming weeks, Ballymoor will open the doors to a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility at the newly transformed Daisy Field. Our film follows that journey.
Commenting on the launch of the film, a Féile spokesperson said:
“Féile has been delighted to work with Ballymoor Football Club over the last number of months to complete this wonderful film documenting almost 60 years of football in the Brandywell area.
“We embarked on a footballing journey for the ages, conducting hours of interviews and exploring the positive impact the beautiful game has had on so many lives and the wider community.
“This is a story of resilience and determination and of people coming together to bring about positive change in the community. The new facility now standing at the Daisy Field is a testament to that hard work.
“As has been rightly said, Ballymoor is the DNA of the Brandywell, and football is at the heart of this community. We hope people enjoy the film and would like to thank everyone who took part in the interviews, as well as those who provided footage and photos.”
Sean McLaughlin, Chairperson of Ballymoor FC, expressed his pride in the club’s journey and hopes for the future:
“Ballymoor FC would like to thank Féile for putting together this incredible production, which tells the story of our club and its journey over the past 22 years.
“We are immensely proud of our club and its players. This new facility at the Daisy Field is a real game-changer for football in the community. Hopefully, it will be the catalyst for a youth football revival in the Brandywell.
“Football in the Brandywell has a long and proud history, from the success of Brandywell Harps to the rise of Ballymoor. Now, with this facility, I believe we can help develop the next generation of footballing heroes. The future is definitely bright for Ballymoor.
“To parents considering where to start their child’s footballing journey – Ballymoor will welcome them with open arms. With an amazing new facility and a dedicated team of coaches, this is the perfect place for young players to develop their skills and love for the game.”
‘Football at the Heart – A Ballymoor Story’ premieres online this Sunday 6 April at 7pm on Féile’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
A Communities in Transition project, funded by The Executive Office.
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.