THIS year's Flive festival in Enniskillen was a roaring success following a year's break due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Ann McDermott, Flive chair, said: "This year FLive took place over the weekend of October 1-3. It was a smaller and partly online festival this year, as when plans were being made and artists booked, no one knew what the restrictions were or whether we’d be in lockdown again, or would be free to mingle."

The festival took place across three days, starting online on Friday evening with Gerard McCrystal and Ruth McGinley, followed by a traditional music and dance performance with Pat McCabe and Caitlin McKillion on accordion, and dancers Chloe Gilmurray and Bella Nethercott. This was was followed by Seamus O’Rourke.

Saturday was focused on children, as 'Diamond Day' took place; children were entertained by a magician, 'Parky', and treated to displays including a face mask display by local secondary school children, and a shop window treasure hunt with local businesses.

PICTURES: FLive waterside ramble

Organiser Toni Johnson spoke of her highlights and said: "The lovely thing for me was doing it in the middle of the town, which meant that we had incidental people there as well who just happened across us.

"The loveliest thing was hearing all of the children laughing in the town centre. There was a real buzz in town for the children and for the parents as everyone participated."

Toni wished to thank all the local businesses who helped make sure that Diamond Day was a resounding success.

"We usually hold our events for children in the Buttermarket or at the Castle, so it was a little bit different to hold it in the town centre.

"We had a great crowd of people gathered, and a lot of people on the committee who helped too."

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Speaking of other events on Saturday, Ann said: "Back in town, in Pat's Bar, the All-Ulster Poetry Slam final was a resounding success, and in the Ardhowen Theatre there was music and poetry with Three for Joy with John Kelly and Teresa Godfrey reading from their work, and Desi Wilkinson playing some beautiful tunes on a flute."

Of the weekend, Ann said: "On Saturday evening, a very enthusiastic audience was treated to a sublime Jazz and Blues experience with singer Victoria Geelan and virtuoso pianist Scott Flanigan.

"It was a night to remember, and it felt almost normal again, sitting in the Gallery Bar, listening to live music."

Events for the festival concluded on Sunday. Ann said: "In the Ardhowen on Sunday, there was a wonderful, erudite and informative talk by Richard Pierce, which was followed by a lively post-talk discussion."

FLive finished the weekend with a film, ‘Ordinary Love’, by local film producer Brian Falconer.

However due to technical issues, the screening was substandard, for which Fermanagh Film Club and FLive apologises and assures everyone who attended that the cost of their tickets will be refunded.