By Jerilynn Hagan
In the 1960s, the revival of Irish identity and nationality was rapid and engulfing. The popularity of everything associated with the Irish spread throughout North America, including competitions, called Feiseanna.
Literally, the word Feismeans festival. As with anything, one cannot discuss the present without understanding the past.
In the beginning, a Feis was a parliamentary assembly, and to it came the provincial kings and nobility, chief, judges, doctors, poets and bards of all Ireland. Assembled in one place were the living repositories of Gaelic culture and tradition.
While the deliberative functions of the Feis were taking place, the remaining assembled people were entertained by recitations of their history, stories, and songs. thletic events and games took place along with multiple musical events.
After the Norman invasion of Ireland around 1169 AD, an assault began on everything Gaelic, including its cultural traditions. This lasted for centuries. The Feis, however, was able to exist wherever the old Gaelic order held out.
This, was, however, in a much-attenuated form. Over the long years, the Feis degenerated into a simple market or country style fair.
With the emigration of the Irish, the need to preserve Irish culture and heritage remained strong. This was/is met by maintaining the practice of holding a Feis.
Holding a Feis
As early as 1911, Feiseanna began appearing across America. It soon became evident that formal guidelines in the rudiments and principles of running a Feis were needed. In 1968, under the tutelage and dedication of Gerry Campbell, Bob Gabor, George Sweetnam, and Ed Callahan, the North American Feis Commission (NAFC) was organized to meet the need.
Over the years, this group of resolute volunteers worked tirelessly to objectively and fairly ensure competitors had the opportunity to compete across North America. Under the guidance of the NAFC , Irish cultural organizations were able to schedule and run Irish competitions, which included dancing, playing music, singing, recitations, baking and crafts. The NAFC created its own incredibly special competitions. The Senior Belt, Junior Trophy, and Minor Trophy were established. The competitions were later renamed to commemorate Gerry Campbell, Robert Gabor and George Sweetnam respectively.
Top L-R: Cindy Schuler, Ed Hansberry, Patrick Short, John Glynn.
Bottom L-R: Joan Smullenn, Helen Gannon, Anne Gervin, Jerilyn Hagan, Donna Genthe,Jeanne Farrell
Legends of Irish Dancing
These elite competitions were held annually and opened only to those competitors who had won first in the Championship level at a Feis within the calendar year. Beginning with Hanna Sullivan, the first to win the Gerry Campbell Senior Belt in 1975, the list of winners contains the legends of Irish dancing.
Additionally, in 1978, the NAFC focused on memorializing those who had given unselfishly of themselves to promote Irish culture through their leadership and participation. The NAFC Irish Cultural Hall of Fame was created. Every year people active in the Irish arts were nominated to be inducted into this great group.
Nominees come from all areas of North America and those chosen are immortalized through a biographical plaque. The plaques are on display in the Michael J. Quill Irish Center, in East Durham, New York.
An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (An Coimisiún), located in Dublin, is the organization comprised of Irish Dance teachers/adjudicators across the world. Recognizing the benefit of an objective third party setting the competition calendar for Feiseanna, An Coimisiún entered a contract with the NAFC.
The NAFC became the official organization setting the competition dates for the North American region; it also collected registration fees set by An Coimisiún. In exchange, the NAFC assured that only students of An Coimisiún registered teachers were allowed to compete and ensured only live music would be used.
The success of dance productions such as “Riverdance” and “Lord of the Dance” surged the interest in Irish dancing. With that, the desire for opportunities to compete increased. Standardization of running a Feis helped the parents and dancers know what to expect as they traveled North America to compete.
The NAFC put into place rules regarding how many Feiseanna may be held on a given weekend. A restriction on the number of miles between events held on the same day was also determined. These safeguards assisted in keeping a Feis successful and viable. Gradually, dancers left the competitor role; many became Irish dancer teachers themselves. They joined the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America (IDTANA). Teachers and adjudicators were/are certified by An Coimisiún in Dublin.
Many new teachers, having competed in a Feis, believed they could easily run one. The push to hold more Feiseanna began. The demand to have a date on the calendar increased, despite the finite number of weekends in a year and the lack of available, qualified musicians.
Maintaining the belief they were/are knowledgeable of the logistics of running a Feis, the IDTANA insisted on being party to the formal agreement between the NAFC and An Coimisiún. They wanted input into determining the dates on which competitions were held.
Gradually, in-fighting about “awarding” dates to run a Feis increased, particularly among members of IDTANA. Rules concerning the proximity of running a Feis and the effects on the survival of long-running, and historically successful Feiseanna were unimportant as new teachers sought to have their own event. Attempts to provide impartial guidance were met with great resistance.
Eventually, the IDTANA convinced An Coimisiún they should assume setting the competition events. It was the belief that the services of the NAFC were no longer needed. In 2021, the contract with the NAFC was not renewed.
Fast forward to 2024. The NAFC is no longer in the business of setting dates for Feiseanna or collecting registration fees on behalf of An Coimisiún. Demand for competitions continues.
Disregard for the proximity and weekend rules has resulted in the decimation of several long-standing, historical, previously successful Feiseanna. Other Feiseanna are struggling to survive.
In November 2024, the Board of the NAFC came together for the last time. The decision was made to dissolve this honorable corporation. Our charge to be the fair, objective purveyor of competition dates no longer exists.
With our dissolution, out of reverence for the NAFC founders, the running of the Belt competitions will also cease. All available assets were/are distributed according to the Laws of the State of New York. The NAFC has thoroughly enjoyed being an integral part of enhancing the presence of Irish Culture in North America. The dissolution of the North American Feis Commission is a definite end of an era!
*Jerilyn Hagan, a member of the West Side Irish American Club and a Hibernian, is the Past President of The Greater Cleveland Feis Society, Past Registrar and President of the NAFC and served as the Chairperson of the NAFC since 2017.
