Reared Protestant and unionist, the Fleadh in Belfast has many layers for me… it’s a revelation that shows we can be brought together
So pontificated the Belfast Telegraph’s ‘Apostle of Ecumenism’, Alf McCreary!
‘The Fleadh’ is a gathering of musicians setting out to promote the culture of Irish Republicanism. It is being very successful thanks to the efforts of the Belfast Telegraph, the local BBC and of course the Democratic Unionist Party!
I have often thought of a verse in Genesis whenever I think of the disposition that the Irish Roman Catholic has for ‘traditional’ music.
Amongst the descendants of Cain, the murderer and hater of God’s truth, was one ‘Jubal’.
“And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ,” Genesis 4:21.
Music has a place in the purpose and worship of God. Such music is distinct from that which springs up from the sinful impulses of man’s depraved heart and is a means of ‘consoling’ those who have no knowledge of God or enjoyment of His mercy and grace.
There is a classification of music that I once saw characterised as being centred upon ‘men in a bar, sorrowfully crying in their beer over a lost love’!
That is the world’s song!
The music of this world is a means of ‘comfort’, needed by those who are lacking in any of the comforts that true faith in Christ will bring.
The Saviour’s invitation is: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light,” Matthew 11:28-30.
Those who reject that loving invitation turn to the ‘pleasures of sin’ for rest and relief from the burdens of life.
The pub and céilí is theIrishman’s traditional alternative to the comforts of the Gospel. The most popular Irish songs are songs narrating loneliness, departure, farewells and tragedy!
The Christian, on the other hand delights to unite with other believers to sing a different song:
Let us sing of his love once again,
Of the love that can never decay,
Of the blood of the Lamb who was slain,
Till we praise him again in that day.
Consequently, it is not surprising to see Alf McCreary and the rest of the ‘Ecumenical Camp’ extolling the wonders of ‘The Fleadh’!
DUP
Nor is it surprising that the DUP have joined in the promoting of this ‘Republican Propaganda’ exercise.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly attended the official launch of the week-long Fleadh Cheoil
That visit took place on Lord’s Day, August 2nd. Sabbath breaking means nothing to the DUP.
?????
How can Free Presbyterians be in membership of this godless political organisation or support it in any way?
Another example of the ‘sucking in’ of the blind and benighted, so-called Protestants, was given us in the local BBC news, today (6.8.26).
‘New territory’ as marching band musicians prepare for the Fleadh
The BBC article indicates that DUP Belfast Councillor, Tracy Kelly was one of the instigators of this Republican ‘Propaganda Coup’!
It is but the latest in an ongoing series of successful manoeuvres by Sinn Fein that has left Unionism totally ‘outfoxed’ — not for the first time nor for the last!
Appearing religiously and politically ‘WOKE’ is the consuming aspiration of the DUP, irrespective of principles, truth or professed allegiance to the cause of Ulster!
Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)
6th August 2026