feiseanna

Feiseanna are Irish Gaelic festivals or competitions focused on traditional Irish arts. The plural form is feiseanna, and the word feis means festival or gathering. Feiseanna bring together performers in categories such as dancing, music, and singing, sometimes including storytelling and poetry.

Dancing categories typically include solo styles as well as céilí and set dances, while music events cover instruments such as fiddle, flute, pipes, whistle, accordion, and harp. Singing can encompass both traditional songs and sean-nós, with other disciplines like poetry recitation also represented in some feiseanna. Competitions are usually judged by adjudicators who award prizes, medals, or cups. Events are organized by local branches of cultural organizations, schools, churches, or community groups, with programs often divided by age and ability.

Feiseanna are held across Ireland and in Irish diaspora communities in Britain, North America, Australia, and beyond. They play a key role in preserving and promoting Irish traditional arts, providing performance opportunities, encouraging young musicians and dancers, and facilitating cultural exchange within communities. While many feiseanna are community-oriented, some are part of larger national or regional programs managed by organizations such as Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann or other Gaelic cultural groups. A well-known national example is Feis Ceoil in Dublin, established in the late 19th century, which has historically brought together diverse Irish music disciplines.