In a vibrant display of unity, the New Life City Church hosted a cross-community St Patrick’s Day event on Saturday that brought together residents from both the Falls and Shankill Road.
The celebration shows the significant steps being taken by local community groups towards fostering better relationships across the political divide.
The event featured an impressive line-up of performances by Irish dancers from the McNeill School of Irish Dancing and Scottish dancers from the Sarah Graham School of Highland Dancing, showcasing traditional music and dance that captivated audiences of all ages.
Colourful costumes and energetic choreography filled the church hall, transforming it into a lively celebration of heritage and community spirit.
Robert McClenaghan, from Falls Resident Association, said: “We hold a number of events throughout the year to bring the community together. St Patrick belongs to everybody and so everyone should have the chance to celebrate this occasion regardless of your background.
“The more segregated young people are the harder it is in later life to make amends. They have more in common than what divides them and we want events like today to show them that.”
Jonathan McKee, Pastor at New Life City Church, added: “There is a lot more positivity happening in the community than negativity and we want to provide the opportunity for people from both sides of the community to come together.
“We don’t want to see the trauma of the troubles passed on to another generation and on occasions like St Patrick’s Day it is important to remember the shared history and connections between our communities.”
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Irish Dancing teacher Denise McNeill said: “It’s heartwarming to see my dancers come together with their peers from different backgrounds.
“Events like this are so important — they not only showcase our cultural heritage but also foster friendships and understanding among communities.
“For my students, it’s a chance to learn and grow together and build relationships that will last a lifetime.”