Festivals are back with a bang this summer after a few years of Covid lockdowns and there’s a festival for everyone in Derry.
By Daire Ní Chanáin
Published 17th May 2022, 15:43 BST
Keep your eyes pealed for more information on these festivals and maybe even more to come!
5.
O'Neills Foyle Cup 2022. Ireland's premier youth soccer event will attract hundred of teams from across the world from 18th-23rd July 2022. From its humble beginnings back in 1992 when just 8 teams took part in what was then a one day event; the Foyle Cup has grown year on year and now welcomes hundreds of teams from across the globe to compete in the six day tournament that is spread across the entire North West region; and 2022 promises to be the biggest and best year yet!
Foyle Maritime Festival. July 20-24 2022. Get ready for summer 2022, when the most highly anticipated maritime event in the North West of Ireland will return. After the suspension of The Clipper 2019-20 Race last year in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, and plans for the city to act as a Host Port Partner for the fifth time were put on hold, we are now delighted to inform you that our internationally acclaimed Foyle Maritime Festival will return to the city in July 2022 alongside the return of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet. The Foyle Maritime Festival theme for 2022 is 'What Lies Beneath' focusing on the natural beauty of our oceans, rivers and lakes, and the onus on all of us to protect and preserve marine life. Take the Pledge will be the message, with a dedicated campaign within the festival encouraging local people to sign up to being more eco-friendly. Highlights of this year's event include the Legenderry Street Food Festival, live music events, on street animation, marine themed in
Gasyard Féile. 13 - 21 August. Gasyard Wall Féile is the biggest community and arts festival in the North West, attracting over 20,000 people annually to the programme of events which takes place across the Bogside, Brandywell, Creggan, Bishop Street and Fountain neighbourhoods as well as Derry City centre. Events range in form from music, literature, sport, education, visual arts, carnival, fun days, health, discussions, lectures, conferences, community consultation and tours.
Foyle Obon Japanese Festival. On the evening of Saturday May 28, the city’s very own Obon Festival of Japanese music, arts and culture returns to the grounds of the Playtrail. In Japan, Obon is one of the most important annual festivals, combining family, food, dance and taiko drumming culminating in a three day feast of colour, rhythm and light. Foyle Obon was born of a desire to share Japanese culture and tradition while creating a meaningful family festival for all and recognising the ever growing number of Japanese and shared heritage families in the North West. The gates will open at 5.30pm and ticket holders are invited into Little Tokyo. In the grounds there will be calligraphy and origami workshops, Taiko drumming workshops, traditional Japanese storytelling, fun Japanese games, Kakigori ice.