50th Anniversary

OVER THE WIRE PODCAST: 40 Years of the Falls Women's Centre

This week on Over The Wire, James McCarthy is turning the clock back to 1982 when a group of local women who had known each other socially, decided to open a women’s centre on the Falls Road against a backdrop of increasing poverty and violence against women. After struggling to find a location for the centre, a premises was found and the Housing Executive agreed to let it to the group for a peppercorn rent of 5p per week.

OVER THE WIRE PODCAST: The Campaign for Truth and Justice

THIS week on Over The Wire, James McCarthy is joined by Relatives For Justice CEO Mark Thompson to discuss the formation of the NGO and the impact of the British Government's proposed Legacy Bill.

OVER THE WIRE PODCAST: Féile an Phobail – The Festival of the People

THIS week on Over The Wire, James McCarthy is joined by Danny Morrison to reflect on the founding of Féile an Phobail in 1988.

50th Anniversary Podcast: How a West Belfast teacher's election changed the course of Northern politics

OVER THE WIRE PODCAST: Murder at Milltown – a community responds

Guth Feirste: Raidió Fáilte Belfast’s Irish broadcaster is on your wavelength

Tá Raidió Fáilte ar cheann de na míorúiltí teanga sin atá ina gcomharthaí sóirt de spiorad agus de mheanman phobal Gaeilge Bhéal Feirste - go gcraolaidh sé go deo.

SMALL BIZ SPOTLIGHT: ACE Taxis - four decades in the fast lane

ACE Taxis has been proudly serving the local community in West Belfast for around 40 years, and provides a regular service to its many loyal and regular customers from the heart of Andersonstown.  ACE Taxis also runs a service from the local Kennedy Centre and Sainsbury’s and is used frequently by generations from the Andersonstown area.  Most drivers are local and have formed great relationships with customers, often on a name-to-name basis over the years.

TOP OF THE POPS: Everything you need is close at hand at The Popular

The Popular is located on Bearnagh Drive, just off the Glen Road. The Popular has been serving the community for four years and has all your cupboard’s essentials. They have a huge selection of scrumptious sweets, hot foods, and baked goods. It's always a hit with the schoolkids who stop in for a treat during lunch break.

SMALL BIZ SPOTLIGHT: Seven Coffee serves sumptuous snacks seven days a week

OPENED just over a year ago in April 2021, Seven Coffee is already proving a huge hit on the West Belfast coffee shop circuit. Situated at the bottom of the Glen Road, beside McEnaney's Bar, Seven Coffee is open seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch, coffee and treats. With seating inside and out, the coffee shop is also dog-friendly, so customers can bring their furry friends along – and they can even get a treat too from the doggy jar. Why not treat them to a ‘Puppuchino’ or enter our Pup Competition where the winner’s owner gets a free coffee.

50th Anniversary: Summer sale now on at Shed Factory

IRELAND'S leading provider of garden sheds and buildings has just announced its summer sale.  Based on the Apollo Road, Belfast, Shed Factory are expert manufacturers of everything from sheds, garden rooms, gazebos, log cabins and more. They are also exclusive providers of top brands such as Dunster House and Viking. 

50th Anniversary: Create your dream home at Regal Furniture Warehouse

REGAL Furniture warehouse have been at the heart of the community in Belfast for over 45 years, providing furniture and reupholstering services for homes, hospitality and the caravan industry. In addition to these services, their massive showroom at unit 16, Hannahstown Industrial Estate, is full to the brim with sofas, beds, mattresses and dining furniture which are all fit for a king or queen. 

50th Anniversary: The changing face of the Falls Road

When the Andersonstown News first hit the streets back in 1972, West Belfast and the North of Ireland were in the middle of what would be the worst year of the Troubles.

50th Anniversary: Open-door policy for all customers at McAreavey’s Pharmacy on Falls Road

LOCATED on the Falls Road, McAreavey Pharmacy was taken over by Andersonstown pharmacist Orfhlaith McAreavey just 18 months ago. The pharmacy is known for its welcoming and top-class customer service. Among its services offered, they include prescription collection and delivery, minor ailments, smoking cessation programme, blood pressure monitoring and passports. 

50th Anniversary: Affordable funeral pricing at family-run Mallon Brothers

ESTABLISHED over five years ago, Mallon Brothers are a third-generation independent family funeral directors based in West Belfast. Situated at the top of the Donegall Road, the premises at 394 Falls Road was opened last year to expand their services to the local community. “We are family-run and offer our local community affordable pricing,” said Christopher Mallon. “Pricing is a big thing for us. We are a working class family looking after working class people. “We treat every family member as if they are one of our own. We are only as good as our last funeral. It is all about looking after the deceased and their family as best as we can.“It is all about helping them through their grief of losing a loved one. “We understand the importance of a personalised service. We give great attention to detail when arranging the funeral, taking time to get to know the family. “We operate a 24/7 service, 365 days a year. We will always be available to answer your call. Mallon Brothers offer a range of benefits including realistic pricing, limousines, horse-drawn carriages, pre-paid funeral plans and advice on DHSS payments. Their fleet of funeral vehicles includes a wide range of Mercedes-Benz hearses, E-Class limousines, hearsettes and estate cars as well as a range of coffins and urns to suit each family’s individual requirements. Repatriation can also be arranged to and from anywhere in the world. Mallon Brothers394 Falls Road, Belfast BT12 7PX. Tel: 028 9043 4777Email: info@mallonbrothers.com<mailto:info@mallonbrothers.comwww.mallonbrothers.com

50th Anniversary: Falls Leisure Centre at the heart of the community for over 120 years

FALLS Leisure Centre has been at the heart of the Falls Road community for over 120 years. Originally established as the Falls Baths in 1896, at the time it was the largest baths that Belfast had built. In 2005 the building was then refurbished for £6 million for a third time and opened as we know it now as Falls Leisure Centre.