Greyhounds take centre stage on last day of Derry Féile

Friday was the last day of Féile 2025 in Derry and the Brandywell streets were illuminated by a parade showcasing the unique qualities of the neighbourhood.

The parade featured local groups, sports teams, and organizations, along with residents holding lanterns, candles, and emblems representing pride in their community.

The Brandywell Greyhound Supporters Group (BGSG) was invited to take part in the parade since greyhound racing has been an integral part of the Brandywell Community since the greyhound track was first opened in 1932.

The BGSG section of the parade was led by Keeva Bell and Jolene Doran who carried a banner focusing on the greyhound as a much loved pet, and as an athlete, with its own community of enthusiasts who have been conservationists of this majestic breed for almost 100 years at the Brandywell.

These conservationists focus on health, temperament, speed and athleticism as important attributes for the racing greyhound. And they ensure these sighthounds have the freedom to express their normal behaviour at the Brandywell Track where the mechanical lure and level sand surface enables them to safely fulfil their natural urge to chase a moving object.

Assembled near the Longtower Chapel where the Feile parade started. JOLENE DORAN (right) & KEEVA BELL (left) holding the banner alongside 9 racing or retired dogs with their owners.

It is a breed that can easily transition into a wonderful pet when it retires from racing because of the excellent care and socialisation it receives throughout its life.

The large crowd and commotion of the Feile event was a new experience for the nine greyhounds in attendance, yet they were a credit to their breed, taking it all in their stride and behaved impeccably. There wasn’t so much as a single bark heard from any of them as they calmly weaved their way through the streets of Brandywell.

Tony Doherty’s 10 year old Sunny (green velvet jacket) was the oldest greyhound in the parade. She enjoys long walks at the beach and cuddles with her family. 6 year old Beautiful Rua (red velvet jacket) came along with her namesake, Rua Canning and her dad, Harry McGuinness. 8 year old Anitas Lady (ex-professional athlete jacket) also represented the retired greyhounds of the Brandywell and was accompanied by her owner Shea Cassidy who had trained her when she had won at the track back in 2019 and 2020.

Each race at Brandywell is contested by greyhounds wearing jackets numbered 1 – 6. The McLaughlin family brought along 3 year old Patch (wearing 1 red jacket) who is a successful athlete that still enjoys his racing career having notched up a couple of wins recently. Their son Brandon, also aged 3, takes a keen interest in helping his dad care for Patch and a love of the dogs has been handed down to him through the generations by both his grandfathers who were regular attenders at the Brandywell.

Tom Mullan’s 6 year old Sparky (wearing 2 blue jacket) had a very successful career, winning 16 races for Tom’s uncle William Mullan who trained him. Racing under the name of Unreliable, he helped contribute to William’s 1000th winner milestone which was an incredible achievement for this local trainer.

Retired greyhounds, from left: Tony Doherty with Sunny, then Harry McGuinness and daughter Rua with beautiful Rua and Shea Cassidy and Anitas Lady.

Derry (wearing the 3 white jacket) was the youngest greyhound to attend the parade. At 15 months of age, he will soon start to go to the track for schooling before he embarks on his racing career. He was accompanied by his owner Stephen Racliffe.

6 year old Beautiful Peggy (wearing 4 black jacket) was a prolific winner at the Brandywell with 15 successes notched up over the years from 2020 to 2023. Born and raised near the Brandywell, Peggy now lives in County Antrim with her family but relished the trip back to familiar turf.

Mairead Millar brought along 3 year old Liberty Katy (wearing the 5 orange jacket). She is a winner of 9 of her 40 races and along with successes at Brandywell and Lifford, she also won a terrific race at Shelbourne Park in Dublin a few months ago.

Last but certainly not least, the aptly named Brandywell Queen (wearing the 6 stripes jacket) was joined on the parade by Martin Doyle and his daughter Ceallach Ming.

Queen will soon be 2 years old and has the same mother as Beautiful Peggy. She has already won 2 races at the Brandywell this year.

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It was an honour to be invited to take part in the parade in recognition of greyhound racing’s rich history and culture in the Brandywell and to celebrate as part of the collective spirit of this community.