Minister for the Arts Jimmy Deenihan yesterday launched Féile an Phobail 2011 in west Belfast. Established in 1988 to present a positive image of the nationalist community, it has grown to one of the largest community festivals in Europe.
Mr Deenihan, the first Minister invited to open the festival which begins at the end of the month, said he wanted to encourage greater co-operation between arts organisations North and South. Pianist Barry Douglas, comedian Des Bishop and the Stranglers are all to appear at this year’s festival.
