A food vendor at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast has issued an apology after inadvertently playing a pro-IRA song to punters.
The Hatch expressed regret for “any offence caused” following footage that emerged online, seemingly showing pro-IRA music being broadcast from their vehicle. It’s believed the track in question was Celtic Symphony by the Wolfe Tones.
The establishment, which operates outlets in Newcastle and Banbridge, is currently trading within the Official Food and Drink Village at St Anne’s Cathedral. They’ve confirmed the song was played completely by mistake, reports Belfast Live.
Let’s Talk Loyalism has now submitted a formal complaint to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann organisers regarding the matter and has called on them to denounce pro-IRA songs being broadcast at stalls linked to the festival.
Their official complaint reads: “On August 5 an alleged food trader played ‘Oh Ah Up the Ra’ over their speakers to queuing customers, including families and children. The incident was captured on video, attached. I ask that you identify the trader from the footage and the Fleadh trading records.”
The loyalist organisation continued: “This song glorifies the IRA, in Belfast, a city the IRA bombed indiscriminately for decades. People here buried parents, children, husbands and wives. Survivors still live with the injuries and the trauma.
“For them, this song is a public celebration of the organisation that destroyed their lives, played at a self-proclaimed family event, in the heart of the city, from a stall trading under a council licence. The hurt this causes is profound.
“It also threatens the Fleadh itself. This event came to Belfast promising a shared celebration open to all, and many in British, unionist and Protestant communities took that promise in good faith, welcoming, attending and even participating in the Fleadh.
“The Fleadh declares its ethos ‘all-embracing and inclusive of everyone regardless of race, religion or ability.’ If this incident goes unaddressed, the perception will take hold that the Fleadh is comfortable with the celebration of extreme republicanism, and its identity as an inclusive space will be compromised. Silence would not be neutrality. It would be confirmation.”
The organisation has urged Fleadh officials to launch an immediate inquiry into what happened, withdraw the trader’s permit, and issue a public condemnation of the incident.
In an apology released after the controversy emerged, The Hatch expressed being “absolutely devastated” upon viewing the footage, acknowledging that their Fleadh playlist had included the contentious track.
The establishment continued, “The Fleadh has been an incredibly positive event, and we would be very upset if this mistake was used to stir up tension. This song was played unintentionally, and we apologise for any offence caused.”
A Belfast City Council spokesperson released a statement saying: “We are aware of this video and have spoken to the operators of the official Food and Drink Village to ensure all traders and vendors are aware that Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is a welcoming and inclusive event for everyone.
“This incident does not reflect the ethos of the Fleadh, and we do not support any behaviour or music which could cause offence or intimidation.
“We would also take this opportunity to remind everyone attending and taking part in the Fleadh to be respectful of other visitors – the Fleadh is an event for everyone.”
Article continues below
Ensure our latest stories always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.