FÉILE an Phobail have promised to deliver their biggest ever festival next year after criticism from DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.
The Minister's comments in the Assembly on Tuesday followed a question by DUP MLA Brian Kingston who compared Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann which took place in Belfast in August to the annual Féile an Phobail.
Mr Kingston stated: "Does the Minister agree that the Fleadh was a good example of how our shared cultures can be celebrated together, which is in stark contrast with the despicable scenes and glorification of terrorism that we see annually at the West Belfast festival?
In response, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons hit out at Féile an Phobail for "glorifying terrorism" and called for "a little bit more Fleadh and a lot less Féile".
"Yes, absolutely. I congratulate the organisers of the Fleadh for the way in which they went about their work and how they tried to make it inclusive and representative not just of Belfast but of Northern Ireland as a whole," he said.
"There were great opportunities for people to feel welcome and involved. The Member is absolutely right. That does stand in stark contrast to what we saw at the West Belfast festival."
Speaking to the Andersonstown News, Féile an Phobail Director Kevin Gamble said a bigger 2027 festival will be their "strongest response" to criticism.
“Since its launch in 1988 Féile an Phobail has grown from around a dozen events to more than 700 this year," he said.
“That growth reflects the strength, ambition and creativity of the West Belfast community. It is part of a wider cultural revival across the north of Ireland, including the continued expansion of the Irish language and the growing international profile of Irish music.
“Through festivals like Féile an Phobail and events such as Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Irish traditional music and culture is reaching audiences around the world.
“Féile represents a confident, positive and forward looking cultural movement. Our success is clear for everyone to see, and attempts to undermine and attack Féile will not change that.
“In 2027, we will deliver the biggest Féile ever and set new records. That will be our strongest response to anyone who doubts the festival or the proud and resilient community that created it."
