Festival fun for everyone

Harlem Gospel Choir kicked off the festival

A feast of music and entertainment gets under way at the weekend in Northern Ireland with the start of a number of festivals.

The Ardoyne Fleadh, which is billed as one of the cultural highlights of the year, gets off the ground in north Belfast.

Events include drama, set dancing, sports and fireworks with the fun going on until 11 August.

As part of the festival, a parade featuring six bands will take place in the area, with up to 2,000 people expected to participate.

In west Belfast, the Feile an Phobail (The People's Festival) continues with Irish popstars group Six taking to the stage on Sunday.

Highlight

The festival got under way on Friday night with the internationally renowned Harlem Gospel Choir performing at Clonard Monastery.

It was a feast of music bringing together African-American and Irish culture.

The choir was joined by Cappella Caeciliana and musicians from the area in what was said to have been a major highlight of the 10-day festival.

Meanwhile, the County Down town of Warrenpoint plays host to the International Maiden of the Mournes Festival.

It runs from Sunday until 15 August.

This is a family festival involving children's events, street entertainment and concerts.

One of the highlights of this festival is the Maiden of the Mournes contest - a personality competition involving young ladies from all over the world.