Fleadh Feirste 2022

FLEADH FEIRSTE 2022

As the days draw in, it’s time for us to welcome the Festive Season and the delights of Fleadh Feirste. We have a fantastic programme for you, full of great events and artistic initiatives that we can all enjoy together.

This is also an opportunity to acknowledge the importance of the bond with the community around us, a bond that sustained us during the dark days of the pandemic and that will continue to sustain us as we face the challenges of the current cost of living crisis.

On Friday 18^th of November, Fleadh Feirste was launched officially with Belfast’s Lord Mayor, Tina Black, Arts Council NI’s Director of Arts Development, Gilly Campbell, local gaelscoil pupils and representatives from every organisation that has helped create this programme in attendance.

In the words of the organising committee: “Fleadh Feirste is a unique festival as it demonstrates the core values of the Irish language community in the west of the city, namely partnership, kinship and a common mission”. We are incredibly proud of our community and of this programme.

Amongst the events that will take places in various venues will be: ‘Ard-Sheis na Ceathrún Gaeltachta’, an event to discuss and celebrates the incredible strides made by our Irish-language community this year; Andy Irvine in Concert in Áras Uí Chonghaile; a panto:   Luathríona agus Pósadh an Phrionsa, a new version of the Cinderella story written by local author Seán Ó Muireagáin; Ollchiorcal Comhrá, a giant Irish language conversation circle in Cumann Chluain Árd; book launches, album launches, daily live music and much, much more!

Gilly Campbell, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council NI:

“Fleadh Feirste is just the boost we need in the run up to Christmas. Its festive programme of shows, exhibitions and events will lift everyone’s spirits, and rounds off another great year in the arts at Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich. The Arts Council is Culturlann’s principal funder, through our National Lottery funds, and we are proud of our long-standing support for this excellent arts and cultural centre and the rich creativity it brings to Belfast’s Gaeltacht Quarter.”

Tina Black, Lord Mayor of Belfast:

“It’s such a pleasure to help launch Fleadh Feirste 2022, the Gaeltacht Quarter’s annual festival. It gives us a wonderful opportunity to be immersed in the Irish language through traditional music, art and poetry. The partnership and collaboration evident in this programme is testament to the vibrancy and creativity of the Gaeltacht Quarter’s Irish language community – and I love that there’s an opportunity for all ages to get involved and enjoy it. From Luaithríona – a revamped Cinderella for the 21st century – to the launch of Ráidió Fáilte’s music recording studio, traditional music sessions in the Cultúrlann every lunchtime, Forbairt Feirste’s annual lecture and dinner and Cultúrlann’s family day with Santa’s grotto – it’s a real treat for the season.”

Copies of programme are available from Cultúrlann, festival partners and downloadable from here

Further Information:

Brónagh Fusco, Bainisteoir Imeachtaí: bronagh@culturlann.ie

Notes:

Fleadh Feirste is organised in partnership with the following organisations: Áras Uí Chonghaile, Forbairt Feirste, Fáilte Feirste Thiar, Glór na Móna, Conradh na Gaeilge, An tSnáthaid Mhór, An Ceathrú Póilí, Ionad Uíbh Eachach, Fís an Phobail, Raidió Fáilte and Aisling Ghéar.

Cultúrlann is funded by Foras na Gaeilge, Department of Communities, Belfast City Council, Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council of Northern Ireland.