It's all hands on deck on the Lower Ormeau this week where preparations are in full swing for this Sunday's fourth annual Féile na hAbhann celebration.

The Festival of the River will transform the Lagan walkway from Shaftsbury Recreation Centre to Central Station with a smorgasbord of carnival attractions including a live stage, circus performers and a family fun zone. 

However, key to the LORAG-backed event will be the opportunity to get onto the Lagan to enjoy water sports and boat rides. And for those who prefer to spectate rather than to dive in at the deep end, the advice is to bring your bucket and spade for the full urban beach experience.

AHOY! Féile founders Natasha Brennan and Geraard Rice outside the new community shed at the Lagan walkway
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AHOY! Féile founders Natasha Brennan and Geraard Rice outside the new community shed at the Lagan walkway

Twin dynamos behind the Féile initiative, Gerard Rice and Natasha Brennan, praised the local community for getting behind the city's only waterside festival.

"Our goal was to showcase the very best of the Lower Ormeau, the Market and Short Strand while welcoming people from every corner of the city to come and join the fun," said Natasha Brennan. "Now it's over to the public - from 11am until 4pm on Sunday, we will be opening our arms to the city and showing just a fraction of what the Lagan can offer the community. We are particularly proud of the steps we've taken to reintroduce the community of inner-south/east Belfast to the bounty of the Lagan. Indeed, Féile na hAbhann gives us an opportunity to showcase the first generation of local young people who have been trained in water sports and will be spending the Féile on the River."

Whether you fancy paddling your own canoe on Sunday or simply going with the flow, you can check out the full Féile na hAbhann itinerary online.