Write a commentNewry Feis opened today with the start of Irish Dance (Open) competitions that run from now till Sunday.
The Feis held at Newry Town Hall and the adjacant Sean Hollywood Arts Centre will run to May with Irish Dance, Music, Ballet and Theatre Dance, Speech and Drama and Irish Music.
Established in 1928 it's one of the largest Feis events in the world.
Competitors and the audience were welcomed by Cllr Mark Murnin, Chairman, Newry, Mourne and Down Council and Alma Brown, President, Newry Musical Feis.
Officially opening the 91st Newry Musical Feis Cllr Murnin spoke of the work of the Feis and the importance of such an event in the lives of the performers. The Chairman referred to how the Feis provides a platform for more than 14,000 performances annually is consistently in the top three biggest events of this type in the world.
Cllr Murnin said "The opportunity to perform and to get feedback from adjudicators of the highest standard provides our children and young people with the support they need to build on their exceptional talents across all the disciplines. The chance to perform on stage as individuals or as part of a team builds confidence and self esteem. Audiences will be treated to extraordinary displays of dance, speech, drama, singing and instrumental music in all its forms. Newry, Mourne and Down Council recognises the importance of the Feis by supporting it in a very practical way as a Major event."
Timetable
Irish Dance Open
Feb 15 -17 Newry Town Hall
Music:
Feb 25 - 27 Newry Town Hall
Apr 8 - 13 Newry Town Hall and Sean Hollywood Arts Centre
Speech and Drama (Open)
Mar 11 -15 Sean Hollywood Arts Centre
Ballet and Theatre Dance (Novice)
Mar 19 - 20 Newry Town Hall
Ballet and Theatre Dance
Apr 1 - 6 Newry Town Hall
Traditional Irish Music
Apr 7 Newry Town Hall (Evening) and Sean Hollywood Arts Centre (Morning and Afternoon)
Speech and Drama Schools
Apr 29 - May 3 Newry Town Hall
Apr 29 - May 2 Sean Hollywood Arts Centre
Irish Dance Confined
May 4 - 6 Newry Town Hall
