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Belfast Telegraph
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
DUP MLA hits out at big-screen tribute to former IRA prisoner during closing Féile event
On Sunday night at Falls Park, the band Shebeen played a song written by Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane in memory of hunger striker Bobby Sands. McFarlane, who died earlier this year following a short illness, was sentenced to life in prison in 1976 for his role in an attack on the Bayardo Bar on Aberdeen Street in Belfast which killed five people and injured more than 60 He was Officer Commanding of the IRA in the Maze Prison during the 1981 hunger strikes and in 1983 he took part in a break-out from the prison and went on the run. McFarlane was re-captured in 1986 and was released from prison in 1997. During Shebeen's performance on Sunday night, an image of McFarlane was also projected on a large screen on the stage to the 12,000-strong crowd in attendance at the event. Speaking about the scenes, the DUP's North Belfast MLA Philip Brett said: 'McFarlane was not a hero. 'He was a convicted terrorist who bore responsibility for murder and destruction, including his role in the Bayardo Bar bombing, which claimed the lives of five people and injured many more. 'Such attempts to romanticise the actions of the IRA are an insult to the families left bereaved and communities still dealing with the scars of violence. 'When Sinn Féin previously attempted to eulogise Brendan McFarlane, I set the record straight — and I will continue to stand up for victims every single time. 'Victims deserve better than selective outrage and silence from those who claim to hold truth to account. 'We owe it to victims to tell the truth: Brendan McFarlane was part of a campaign of violence which devastated lives. No amount of music, speeches, or banners will erase that reality.' Watch: Kneecap member makes surprise appearance at Féile concert In a statement, Féile an Phobail Director Kevin Gamble said: 'This year's Féile an Phobail saw the biggest Féile ever held. "In total around 130,000 people attended this year's August Féile. 'This year was a record year with record attendances across all our events. 'Over 600 events took place at 50 venues, including over 90 debates and discussions, 130 Trad Trail music sessions, 90 art exhibitions, a host of literary, sporting and theatre events, a massive carnival parade with over 6,000 people in attendance, and a series of family events. 'Our Falls Park events space hosted six 12,000 capacity outdoor concerts. 'Our nature and environment events, children's events, tours and walks also had record attendances this year. 'Also significantly, due to the hard work and commitment of Féile staff and volunteers, community organisations, political representatives and Belfast City Council, and the support of our young people and the local community, Belfast was bonfire free on 8th August. "All those involved in achieving this deserve praise. In past years these unwanted bonfires have brought destruction and an increase in anti-social behaviour to the areas in which they were held. 'The benefit of the absence of these unwanted bonfires on 8th August is significant. As well as the positive images emanating from the festival events showcasing Belfast in a positive light, there is also the considerable benefit to the city's economy which the associated increase in visitor footfall and spending over the duration of the festival brings to the city, over £6 million last year alone. 'Over the last 37 years, Féile has a proven track record of delivering significant social, cultural and economic benefits to the city of Belfast, and this increases year on year. 'This year, representatives from all communities were welcomed to Féile to have their voice heard, both as spectators and participants. 'All political persuasions attended and participated in various panel discussions, as did representatives from minority ethnic communities, and international visitors. "Féile an Phobail includes all opinions and provides a platform for many different views."
Belfast Telegraph
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
£750k benefit to Belfast from this year's St Patrick's celebrations, report finds
A report has been forwarded to a Belfast City Council committee showing the benefits from the events. The report, forwarded to the June meeting of the council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee, showed that the costs to the ratepayer were £290,000. That covered what the council calls lots – lot one, the parade and pageant at £95,000, dealt with by the council itself; lot two, the city centre weekend music programme at £70,000, delivered by Tradfest; lot three, the cross-city music showcase at £50,000, delivered by Féile an Phobail; lot four, an 'open call' at £50,000, and parade logistics and support for programming and marketing activity at £25,000. The council states: 'Good Relations funding of £20k was also secured to enhance the community offering within the parade.' It estimated the overall direct spend for the St Patrick's celebrations, excluding accommodation, was £788,062. The report states there was an estimated visitor attendance of 25,000 to 30,000 in the city centre on March 17 for the parade and festival Village – similar numbers to 2024, when the weather was better. Over 700 performers and community participants took part in the parade. Over 16,000 people attended events across 13 venues as part of the St Patrick's Music Festival, with an estimated 12,000 visitors engaging with programming at Cathedral Gardens alone over the course of the weekend. The festival featured 410 participants, over 60 hours of content, and performances from a diverse range of artists. The TradTrail extended across 60 venues citywide, featuring 87 artists, while the Spraoi Cois Lao event, or 'Footprint Fun,' which took place at Custom House Square on March 8 had almost 6,000 people. 2 Royal Avenue saw over 3,550 visitors at its events. Key findings from the Belfast St Patrick's Day 2025 socio-economic survey show 51% of visitors were from Belfast City Council area, 30% were from elsewhere in Northern Ireland, four per cent from the Republic of Ireland, nine per cent from Great Britain, and six per cent from other regions. For 44% of those who came from outside Northern Ireland, the event was the main reason for their trip. Meanwhile, 24% were staying in accommodation away from home, and 32% attended the event with children. Most (86%) gave the parade a rating of 8 to 10, including 30% who rated it as 'extremely good.' The vast majority (97%) of visitors agreed that the event improves Northern Ireland's reputation as a host for events like these. A similar number (96%) felt the St Patrick's celebrations were inclusive for all people from all cultural heritages, while 94% were likely or very likely to visit St Patrick's Day celebrations in Belfast in future years. For next year, the council intends to look at how works in other parts of the city will affect events. The report states: 'A key consideration for 2026 will be the redevelopment of Cathedral Gardens, scheduled to begin in October 2025 and lasting approximately 12 months. This will impact use of that site for next year's programme, requiring early planning around alternate locations and infrastructure. 'Operationally, while the parade route does have pinch–points due to the high density of the spectators attending; new measures (such as a screen) were introduced in 2025 to mitigate against these particular risks. There was also the addition of audio description for those with limited sight.'
