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Féile an Phobail was established in 1988 as a direct response to the conflict in the north of Ireland. Its purpose was to celebrate the positive side of the community, its creativity, its energy, its passion for the arts, and for sport. It furthermore aimed to provide events and entertainment at a price that the majority of the community could afford.
In August 1988 the first Féile opened with a relatively humble parade of floats, bands and GAA clubs walking in their club regalia to an open-air party in Dunville Park. Street parties were organized throughout the West. Door-to-door collections were made to fund day trips to the seaside for pensioners and outings for young people.
Soon the street confrontations associated with the week around August 9th were displaced by a positive display of the community and its creativity.
The August Féile has proved a resounding success, growing from strength to strength and inspiring other troubled areas to organize similar festivals. Our carnival parade routinely brings over 50,000 participants for a colorful, musical procession with specially-designed floats representing a chosen theme, dancers and children in costume and face-masks.
We have grown from a one-week festival to a year-round programme with many events.
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