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About Feis Ceoil

Feis Ceoil is Ireland’s leading classical music competition. It includes two annual festivals held in Dublin: the two-day RDS Feis Ceoil School Choir and Orchestra competitions, and the main Summer Festival, which features 180 competitions across nine days each June. Thousands of classical musicians from across the island of Ireland take part every year, from seven year-old primary school students to those with a PhD in Music Performance. Feis Ceoil is a vital part of Ireland’s musical infrastructure. Over the decades, nearly every major classical Irish musician has competed at the Feis. Past participants include James Joyce and Count John McCormack, with more recent performers such as pianists John O’Conor and Finghin Collins, singers Tara Erraught, Cara O'Sullivan, and Celine Byrne, and even comedian Risteard Cooper among its alumni. Feis Ceoil was founded in 1896 by the leading figures in Irish musical life at the time, under the guidance of Dr. Annie Patterson, in response to a perceived neglect of music development in Ireland. Today, Feis Ceoil Association continues to promote excellence in music learning and performance across all ages, levels, and disciplines. The Association also presents a programme of concerts and recitals throughout the year. Feis Ceoil will celebrate 130 years in 2026. The Feis Ceoil Association is a registered charity in Ireland (Number: 20005771) and relies on a combination of private donations, corporate sponsorship, and some state support to carry out its work. The CEO is Laura Gilsenan and the current board members are Ray Bates, Eileen Dunne, Edith Forrest, James Gleeson, Christine Monk, David Mooney, Fiona Naughton, Chris O'Toole and Deirdre Seaver.

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