92nd Newry Musical Feis will see 14,000+ Performances grace the Stage

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The 92nd Newry Musical Feis was officially opened yesterday, 14 February, by Councillor Terry Andrews, Deputy Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and Mrs Alma Brown ALCM, President, Newry Musical Feis.

Newry Musical Feis 2020 will provide forty-five days of performance opportunities in Music, Dance and Speech aimed at citizens aged from 4 – 90+.

The usual Deputy Newry, Mourne and Down Council Chairperson Cllr Terry Andrews had a welcome break from duties at the launch of Newry Musical Feis, when young Irish Dancer, Niall Keenan from Killeavy took on the role briefly at Newry Town Hall. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie — The usual Deputy Newry, Mourne and Down Council Chairperson Cllr Terry Andrews had a welcome break from duties at the launch of Newry Musical Feis, when young Irish Dancer, Niall Keenan from Killeavy took on the role 'briefly' at Newry Town Hall. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Councillor Andrews spoke of the work of the Feis and the importance of such an event in the lives of the performers. He expressed sincere thanks on behalf of the Council to the scores of volunteers who make this impressive event happen year after year. He added that Newry Mourne and Down District Council makes the empowerment of communities a priority, and this event, the 92nd in an unbroken succession, is a great example of empowerment in action. Councillor Andrews reminded the audience that Newry Musical Feis, which provides a platform for more than 14,000 performances annually, is consistently in the top three biggest events of this type in the world. He concluded by wishing all of the performers in Parts One, Two and Three of the 2020 Newry Musical Feis the best of luck as they participate in “this extraordinary celebration of the arts.”

While the vast majority of those taking part live within the Newry, Mourne and Down district, there is regular involvement from performers who travel from counties Dublin, Louth, Meath, Westmeath and Roscommon and, within Northern Ireland, from Antrim, North Armagh, North Down, Derry and Tyrone.

Newry Musical Feis Part One concludes with Music (Schools), which runs from 26th – 28th February and includes the Organ Competitions which will be held in St Catherine’s (Dominican) Church on 27th February. Class 19 (school plays) from the Speech & Drama (Schools) Section takes place on Friday evening 28th February.

Helping launch Newry Musical Feis 2020 which opened on Friday 14 February, are dancers Maisie Keenan, Ballyholland and Charlie O'Malley, Killeavy who are pictured with Terry Andrews, Deputy Chairperson, Newry, Mourne and Down Council and Alma Brown, President, Newry Musical Society. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Newry Musical Feis Part Two is also scheduled pre-Easter and includes:

Pictured at the 2020 Newry Musical Feis launch are Seated L to R: Deputy Chair NMDDC, Cllr. Terry Andrews; President, Newry Musical Feis, Mrs Alma Brown ALCM; Irish Dance Adjudicator Ms Helen Mountaine ADCRG Standing L to R: Vice-Chair Newry Musical Feis, Miss Sheila Nolan ADTCRG; Accompanist, Mr Kevin Warren; Assistant Secretary Newry Musical Feis Irish Dance, Mrs Maria Moan TCRG. — Pictured at the 2020 Newry Musical Feis launch are Seated from left: Deputy Chair NMDDC, Cllr. Terry Andrews; President, Newry Musical Feis, Mrs Alma Brown ALCM; Irish Dance Adjudicator Ms Helen Mountaine ADCRG Standing from left: Vice-Chair Newry Musical Feis, Miss Sheila Nolan ADTCRG; Accompanist, Mr Kevin Warren; Assistant Secretary Newry Musical Feis Irish Dance, Mrs Maria Moan TCRG.

Speech and Drama (Open) 23rd – 27th March,

Traditional Irish Music Sunday, 29th March

Music 30th March - 4th April.

After Easter, Part Three opens with Ballet & Theatre Dance 18th -25th April, continues with Speech & Drama (Schools) 27th April – 1st May and ends with Irish Dance (Confined) from 2nd - 4th May.

Follow Newry Musical Feis on Facebook, or check WWW.NEWRYMUSICALFEIS.COM for regular updates.