Republican News · Thursday 1 August 2002

Unbowed New Lodge vows to enjoy the craic

Féile Phobail an Lóiste Úir
Sunday 4 - Saturday 10 August

The organisers of the Greater New Lodge Community Festival are determined that loyalist gun gangs won't stop an annual festival that brings colour, entertainment and good old fashioned craic to their community.

This year's mix of craic, culture and politics comes at a time when locals could do with some relief. The festival programme was launched last week under the cloud of intense loyalist violence against the nationalist community in North Belfast, culminating in the killing of 19-year-old Gerard Lawlor by the UDA.

The venue for the launch on Wednesday 24 July was the Ashton Centre, which was itself targeted by loyalists this time last year. UDA gunmen didn't care that the building they were firing into was full of children attending a playgroup.

Said festival co-ordinator Irene Sherry: "One year ago, UDA gunmen fired shots into this hall. A year later, Gerard Lawlor is dead. We hear so much bad about North Belfast but this festival is about creating a positive feeling in the community."

The official duties were carried out by Belfast Mayor and Sinn Féin councillor Alex Maskey, himself a native of the Greater New Lodge area. "The New Lodge Festival is a big part of the development of the New Lodge community," he said. "It is a tremendous tribute to the people of the New Lodge that this is one of the finest community festivals in Belfast."

The festival opens on Sunday 4 August with a fun day at the Waterworks between 12 noon and 4pm, where events will include sack races, egg and spoon races and fancy dress.

Some other highlights include:

Monday 5 August: SPYKIDS 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, will be premiered in the Movie House cinema at Yorkgate

Tuesday 6 August: Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South Central, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, will give a lecture in the 174 Trust on the Antrim Road at 7.30pm on the Importance of the 1798 Rebellion in Irish history. Afterwards, there will be a traditional music session in the Phoenix Bar.

Wednesday 7 August: The Cavehill Picnic affords the opportunity for a relaxed climb up one of Belfast's most famous and spectacular landmarks. Ruairi MacLeanacháin will give a bilingual talk on the history and environment of the area. Meet at the Ashton Centre at 11am for this one.

Thursday 8 August: Those not walked out can meet at 2pm at St Patrick's Chapel in Donegall Street and go for a guided stroll through the Cathedral Quarter and some of Belfast's most historic streets.

Friday 9 August: At 1pm an innovative campaign will be launched in Fitzgerald's pub to raise awareness about domestic violence with the launch of anti-domestic violence beermats. The aim of the ongoing campaign of posters leaflets and beerats is to send a message to men that such behaviour is abhorrent, is totally detrimental to community life and ruins family life.

Friday 9 August: The Ashton Centre at 8.30pm is the venue for a '70s throwback gig featuring ABBAtastic, James Peake, and Paul Dean and the Tuxedos. Admission is a mere £3.

Saturday 10 August: Historian Liz Curtis will lead a walk through North Belfast chronicling some of Belfast's most interesting women, from society ladies to militant mill workers. Meet at 2pm outside the post office on Donegall Street

Saturday 10 August: The festival concludes with an outdoor concert at the Ashton Centre featuring the irrepressible Brush Shiels, always a favourite in Belfast, and the U2-Tour Tribute band. Admission is again just £3.

For further information on all these events contact 90742255.