It was a time of year associated with rising tensions and the associated violence on the streets of West Belfast.
Young people lit bonfires to mark the anniversary of internment without trial and confrontations would inevitably take place with the British Army and RUC.
Thirty-three years ago some forward thinking individuals – among them former West Belfast MP, Gerry Adams – had a vision of a festival at the start of August that would exploit the energy and the creativity in the west of the city, and from there the West Belfast Festival was born, eventually growing into Féile an Phobail.
This year’s festival over ten days came to end on Sunday, August 15, with festival organizers hailing it as the most successful ever with over 250 events held. Thousands of people from all over the country and further afield made their way to concerts, book launches and debates. Not even the rain was going to stop them.
Féile Director Kevin Gamble said this year was a celebration of community resilience “after everything we have been through over the past eighteen months."
“Féile was the first large outdoor festival to take place after the easing of restrictions by the Executive and we made the decision to voluntarily introduce Covid entry requirements for all those attending our outdoor Falls Park events,” Gamble said.
And he added: “Three 10,000 person concerts were held, along with a sold out 8,000 person Féile Fight Night featuring Michael Conlan, and the biggest ever outdoor MMA event to be held in Ireland.
“This year was a record year with record attendances across all of our events. Our three large outdoor concerts sold out. Our three comedy nights sold out. Our in-person literary events sold out. Our Féile Fight Night sold out. All in record time.”
A delighted West Belfast MP Paul Maskey hailed this year’s festival as an “unrivaled success."
"The people of West Belfast and beyond have been treated to a spectacular series of concerts, debates, and of course the amazing Féile carnival parade,” he said.
"The last 18 months have been difficult, and Féile are to be commended on facilitating the best festival so far. Féile 2021 has been an unrivaled success."
