Féile an Phobail is steadily and strongly moving through its early teenage years, reaching fifteen this time out. It is unlikely that those attending the festival who are under 30 years of age remember what life for nationalist Belfast was like before am Féile. Free article

Leading Palestine spokesperson, Dr Mustafa Barghouti, addressed a packed hall in St Mary's Teacher Training College on Tuesday evening 5 August. Dr Barghouti was not in Belfast to speak on the Palestinian situation on the invite of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign because the Israeli government barred him from leaving Palestine, but the organisers overcame the problem by using a live video link. Free article

The British media wields enormous influence on the British voters and consequently has significant impact on the British government, Roy Greenslade told an audience in West Belfast during Féile week. Free article

Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly has applauded a decision to address the shortfall in funding experienced by two community festivals in north Belfast. The announcement comes nearly a week after a meeting between organisers of the Ardoyne and New Lodge festivals and the British Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Angela Smith. Free article

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives celebrates the lives of 33 IRA and Fianna Volunteers from the Ballymurphy area whose names appear on the Ballymurphy Roll of Honour. It is a deeply personal play, clearly a labour of love. One of the things that makes it particularly poignant is the fact that it was written by the families, friends, and neighbours of those who died. It was written by those who knew and loved them best, and it shows. Free article

In the second part of her report on the crisis in the Six-County Human Rights Commission, UNA GILLESPIE examines the controversial role of HRC chair Brice Dickson in a human rights case brought by a Holy Cross parent Free article

Few people around the world would have suspected that Irish disabled people were ever treated with anything other than respect in their own land. Home to the Special Olympics, the country pulled out all the stops to ensure that its guests were looked after like heroes when they arrived and that the Games went off without a hitch. The booing received by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the Opening Ceremony was indicativ, however, of the discontent felt by Irish disabled people and their families towards the government. Free article

American activist and artist Elizabeth Billups has worked with Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety and the American Indian movement, but it is her deep love of Ireland that has inspired her new photographic exhibition at the Conway Mill in West Belfast. Free article

AN DRAOI RUA this week recalls some of the evening pastimes that kept people occupied before television took over. It seems there were plenty of games, stories, poetry and music to entertain at all sorts of occasions. Free article