Áras Uí Chonghaile, the James Connolly Visitor Centre, has announced the launch of a special two-week programme of exhibitions and public talks commemorating the 90th anniversary of the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.

The 13th annual Belfast International Homecoming uniting Belfast with its global family will take place in Belfast on 8-9 October. A highlight of the celebration will be a a Gala Dinner on 8 October in the city's famed Titanic Hotel which will feature the presentation of Belfast Ambassador Medals to outstanding international advocates for the Belfast.If you know someone in the Irish American community whose work to promote Belfast, build bridges and support the peace process deserves recognition, you can nominate that person for an Ambassador Medal via the Homecoming website. Said Belfast International Homecoming co-founder Connla McCann. "We are inviting the Irish of America to join us in saluting those who have made a real contribution to the peaceful and prosperous Belfast we enjoy today. The reality is that there wouldn't be a peace process at all without Irish America so it's treat to welcome to our city those who have made its transformation possible. Over two days in October we will showcase the very best of Belfast and toast those ambassadors who are relentless boosters for Belfast." 

West Belfast man Michael Morris was back on his home patch yesterday to promote his newest initiative, An Gael Irish whiskey. This week the team behind A Gael took the wraps off a partnership with Celtic F.C. to promote the Lisbon Lions famous European victory on its sixtieth anniversary next year. The Spirit of the Celts single malt will go on sale on 1 August to mark the start of the 26-27 season. 

IRISH language rappers Kneecap are to headline a Falls Park, Belfast show as part of Féile an Phobail on Thursday 6th August. The massive charity ‘Uppa Falls’ gig will see a full line up of special guests, with all profits going to two Irish language projects; Glór na Móna’s Croí na Carraige Irish language youth and community hub in West Belfast, and Seán Dolans GAA Club Irish language hub in Derry. Support on the night, hand selected by Kneecap, will be provided by Bob Vylan, Miss Kaninna and Liambo Slice. Tickets for the Kneecap charity giveback gig will go on sale on Monday 13th July at 10am, from Ticketmaster.ie. Kneecap, comprised of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí, are known globally for their unwavering support for Palestine against the Israeli genocide in Gaza. Two of the members of the trio, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh and Naoise Ó Cairealláin are from West Belfast, while the third member, J. J. Ó Dochartaigh, is from Derry. This gig is about giving back to the communities that Kneecap was born out of. Communities that place humanity and solidarity before anything else. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara, was charged in Britain on trumped-up terror charges in May 2025, before the case spectacularly collapsed in a huge blow for the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer. This followed Kneecaps successful legal case against the British government (Kemi Badenoch) in 2024 when funding was withheld - monies they then donated to two charities in the Falls and Shankill equally. All three members of the group are fluent Irish language speakers and are active campaigners for full equality and rights for the Irish language.Féile an Phobail Director Kevin Gamble said: “We are delighted to announce that Kneecap will be performing a massive charity gig at Féile an Phobail in the Falls Park on Thursday 6th August. "Kneecap not only speak out to assist communities but take actions too - this is yet another clear example of that ensuring a huge amount will go into our community thanks to them." “This year’s Féile will be the biggest ever and today’s final concert announcement is our biggest. “Kneecap are coming home to West Belfast for their massive outdoor ‘Uppa Falls’ charity gig, in the heart of a community that absolutely loves them. “Kneecap have shown that when artists speak out about issues here in Ireland and across the world, that people listen and that they can raise awareness and make a real difference. “The issues of Palestine and the Irish language are so important to Kneecap, and they are also so important to people here in West Belfast. “We are incredibly proud of them for everything they have achieved. “This is the biggest concert line-up we have ever had at Féile an Phobail and this shows the enormous growth of Féile, from our inception in 1988, at a time when this community was being attacked and demonised, to now being the biggest community based arts festival in Ireland and having over 700 events across 16 days in 2026. “We are looking forward now to getting Féile underway and making this the biggest Féile ever.”

THIS week significant developments that can shape the future direction of constitutional politics on this island are taking place in Leinster House. On Tuesday Sinn Féin’s Bill setting out a practical plan to achieve a united Ireland is up for discussion. Fine Gael is moving ahead with its plan for a blueprint for Irish unity for November. And other parties, including the Social Democrats and Labour, have expressed their support for unity and, notwithstanding Micheál Martin’s opposition, it is obvious that there are many within Fianna Fáil who understand that planning for unity makes sense.