The 2017 Fermanagh Feis Committe. Back from left, Kathleen Lavin, Monica Lunny, Ciara O’Flanagan, Barbara Johnston, Helen Cleary and Maureen McGovern. Front, Noreen McCluskey, Catherine Murphy and Ann Allen RMG03
THE county’s biggest arts and cultural event for young people, Feis Fermanagh, will be making a welcome return next year.
Organisers have been unable to stage the event for the past two years due to an over-stretched committee and a shortage of volunteers.
Since 1962 the Feis has celebrated young local talent and served as a stepping stone for success both nationally and internationally. Past participants have included actors Adrian Dunbar and Ciaran McMenamin.
Former Feis Committee members met last month to discuss the possibility of either formally winding up the event or trying to stage it again in 2017. A very successful turnout of well-wishers and volunteers at the recent AGM in St Michael’s Parish Centre has ensured that there now will be a Feis in 2017. Former Committee members, parents, teachers and supporters from throughout the county came together in an effort to revive the Feis which plays a fundamental role in encouraging children’s participation in the arts. The Feis will run from 4th March to 9th April 2017.
A new Committee was elected to serve under the leadership of President Lena Corrigan. Catherine Murphy was elected as acting chairman, Ann Allen as Secretary and Katie Crudden as Treasurer. New members Geraldine Hickey, Ciara O’Flanagan and Frances Gilleece were elected to support the Drama, Classical Music and Traditional Music Section respectively. Noreen McCluskey, who last served in 2002, rejoined the Committee to support Helen Cleary in the Verse Section. Also elected were Ita McManus and Ita Vesey (Art Section), Ann Allen and Ciara O’Flanagan (Classical Music Section), Barbara Johnston and Geraldine Hickey (Drama Section), Catherine Murphy. Claire Murphy and Caroline Murphy (Irish Dancing Section), Kathleen Lavin (Irish Language Section), Maeve Jackson (History Section), Monica Lunny and Frances Gilleece (Traditional Music), Helen Cleary and Noreen McCluskey (verse Section). While the Classical Music Section will be run a reduced number of competitions, at present there are no changes planned for the other sections.
Committee Secretary Ann Allen is delighted at the community effort to bring the event back next spring.
She told the Herald: “It was fabulous to see so many people coming forward to help. We felt really buoyed up by the response of those who will serve on the commmittee and others who have volunteered to help. It was great to see such determination from those present for the revival of the event.
“The Officers and Section Secretaries are now working hard to book the various adjudicators and venues to ensure that the syllabus will be in schools at the beginning of the Spring term next year,” she added.
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