Thousands turn out as Gasyard Feile hailed a '˜great success'

Two fire artists pictured in front of the Children of Fire at the Gasyard Feile Finale.

The 2016 Feile ended in a blaze of glory on Monday night, with LUXe presenting the ‘Rise of the Phoenix’ at the Gasyard site.

The stunning fire and music show finale capped a fortnight of events which drew thousands from across the city and beyond.

Donna McCloskey, manager of Triax Neighbourhood Management Team and director on the Gasyard Feile Board said the finale was “absolutely fantastic”.

“We wanted to do something different and it was designed to raise the profile of the Feile and it was a roaring success,” she said.

“On the same day we had a street party in Creggan with over 2,000 people, a Fun Day in the Long Tower, and a series of parties in the Bogside.

“Those were just a few of the numerous events that have taken place as part of the Feile.”

This includes community and family themed indoor and outdoor events, concerts, debates, film screenings, fun days .

More than 200 bikers got their motor bikes running and revved along the highways to converge on the City Walls for the Roaring Festival earlier this month, which marked the opening of the festival.

Dove House meanwhile organised bus runs which saw hundreds of local people enjoying day trips, while Ballymagowan allotments in Creggan hosted an Environmental Fun Day and Farm event.

Donna said: “We also had 600 people taking part in the ‘Jog In The Bog’. Over the last 10 years it has grown so much and it is named after local man Colm Quigley so a lot of local people are emotionally attached to the event.”

On the last day of the festival, alongside the LUXe fire and music production , there was a children’s play zone, and live music from local artist Eamon Harkin and young up-and-coming band The Touts, and Portabello

Part of the festival also includes Mark Hill giving a master class with local people in designing and creating fire drawings, which became part of the finale performance on Monday night.

Donna McCloskey paid tribute to the army of volunteers, staff, local organisations and the wider community for helping to make the Feile such a success.

“We are hoping to come back bigger and better next year and we will be going out in the next weeks and months to consult with local people about that.”