Irish and Ulster Scots dancers are set to come together to mark the beginning of a week-long cross community programme to mark St Patrick's Day.
The event, which will take place at the Northumberland Street interface in West Belfast from 6pm on Monday night marks the latest in a series of events aimed at bringing together the communities in the Falls and Shankill for shared cultural celebrations.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Robert McClenaghan from the Falls Residents' Association said the event will demonstrate the strengthening of cultural bonds between the two communities.
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"The Falls Residents' Association have been working with the residents from the Shankill as part of the Falls-Shankill Forum. Out of that, we have been working with Pastor Johnny McKee at New Life City Church," he said.
"At Christmas we organised a carol service which was a great success and we decided that we needed to continue to foster these good relations.
"We came up with the idea of marking St Patrick's Day together and developed a series of events in the run up to St Patrick's Day."
Robert described the area where the dancers will be performing as being akin to 'no man's land' and said he is delighted that the communities can make use of the space.
"The symbolism of the Scottish Highland dancers and Irish dancers coming together along with the people of the Falls and Shankill shows how culture can unite people.
"After the performance between the gates, we will be going into the New Life City Church where we will be joined by Lord Mayor Cllr Tina Black who will join us for a Céilí.
"We will have the old fashioned Céilí callers, a bit of food and a bit of craic."
Robert added that he hopes people will realise that there is a lot of similarities between the two cultural traditions.
"Irish culture and Ulster Scots culture belongs to us all and these steps that we are taking will bring us closer together as a community in terms of peace and reconciliation, especially as we approach the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement."
Following Monday's festivities, residents from the Shankill are being invited to join their neighbours from the Falls Road on Wednesday from 7pm for the first Céilí to be held in St Comgall's Primary School in 50 years.
"We are going to have a full blown Céilí band, callers and everyone is invited to join the dancing.
"In a way, Monday will be a taster session for the people of the Shankill to learn the steps for the Siege of Ennis and the Walls of Limerick before joining us on Wednesday," he said.
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