Sean Paul O’Hare, Féile an Phobail director, said: “We are delighted to confirm the rumours surrounding the Féile this year especially in light of our 20th birthday celebrations.

“We have put together a programme of events which will have Belfast buzzing this August.”

The festival will kick off on Saturday, August 2, in the city centre’s Bank Square, with three nights of musical entertainment to prepare for the sensational acts appearing the following week, Thursday, August 7 - Sunday, August 10.

This year the Féile programme offers drive in movies, debates, drama, exhibitions, family fun and tours and walks. Key highlights include:

• The Fun Lovin’ Criminals at Andersonstown Leisure Centre on Sunday August 10.

• Brian Kennedy at Clonard Monastery, on Wednesday, August 6.

• Ardal O Hanlon, best known as Father Dougal on long running series Father Ted, at Andersonstown Leisure Centre on Thursday, August 7.

• Drive in Movies, at Andersonstown Leisure Centre, Sunday, August 3 - Tuesday, August 5. For those of you without a car, Translink will provide a double decker bus. Movies shown will be Dirty Dancing, Pulp Fiction and The Exorcist.

• West Belfast Talks Back at St Louise’s Comprehensive College on Wednesday, August 6, 7.30pm. This is a chance for an audience to debate with leading politicians and commentators.

• Opening Carnival Day Parade, assembling at Kennedy Centre Car Park on Sunday, August 3, 12pm.

Tickets are available now at www.feilebelfast.com and at Féile offices, 473 Falls Road, Belfast, BT12 6DD.

Tickets will subsequently be available at traditional Féile outlets: An Chultúrlann, The Art Shop and Belfast Welcome Centre.

Keep checking Féile’s website at www.feilebelfast.com for confirmation on acts, dates and events for the August Féile 08 programme.