Republican News · Thursday 1 August 2002

Ardoyne Fleadh bigger and better

Ardoyne Fleadh Cheoil
Saturday 3 August - Sunday 11 August

The organisers of this year's Ardoyne Fleadh have called on people from throughout Belfast and further afield to support this year's ambitious programme of events, despite the ongoing loyalist campaign against the area.

This year's Fleadh programme was launched in the Ardoyne Kickham's GAC on Tuesday 22 July. Fleadh Committee chair Gerard McGuigan said that following the turmoil in the area over the past year the Fleadh committee had put strenuous efforts into making this year's Fleadh one of the most successful. "We are celebrating the best our community has to offer," he said, and anyone who has been to Belfast's most hardcore summer festival knows what he means.

Due to the trouble that engulfed Ardoyne after loyalists attacked children and their parents going to Holy Cross school last year, some events had to be cancelled. This year, however, the Fleadh Committee has come back with a programme packed with major events, including open air concerts featuring the Hot House Flowers, the Wolfe Tones (three quarters of them, anyway), the Céilí Bandits, and London-Irish psycho-céilidh band Neck.

The theme of this year's Fleadh is Women of Ireland and writing in the Fleadh programme, Gerard McGuigan acknowledged that "the women of Ardoyne, the Bone and neighbouring districts have always been pillars of the community, indeed the women of the district were involved in 'community development' before anyone knew what the term meant.

"On news channels throughout the world, people have seen the courage of the mother's and women of Ardoyne in ensuring their children's education, shielding young girls from curses, stones and abuse day after day - holding firm in the face inconceivable hatred."

The guest speaker at the launch was Belfast Mayoress Liz Maskey, who acknowledged the importance of the Fleadh to community life in the area.

"There is a need for something positive and I am hopeful that this is a positive thing in the midst of all the grimness and tragedy," said Maskey.

The opening parade of the Ardoyne Fleadh will take place on Sunday 4 August at 11am on the Berwick Road.

For further information about the Ardoyne Fleadh and its events contact Ardoyne Fleadh Ceoil on Belfast 90751056.