Blue plaque to be erected a former Derry home of Feis Ceoil founder

A blue plaque is to be erected at the former Derry home of the woman credited with bringing the Feis Ceoil to Derry to the city.

Alexandrina McCausland Stewart died in 1942 at the age of 77, and was the founder of the Londonderry Philharmonic Society, in 1889 and the Feis Ceoil, in 1900.

The Ulster History Circle is to now set to erect a blue plaque in her honour at her former home at 9 Crawford Square (pictured).

The move will mark the latest Blue Plaque erected to mark the contribution of men and women to the history of the city.

Previous recipients including the novelist Arthur Joyce Lumel Cary who was honoured with a plaque in Shipquay Street, George Farquhar, the famous playwright honoured with a blue plaque at Bishop Street Within and the hymn writer, Mrs Cecil Frances Alexander, whose contribution was also honoured with a Blue Plaque in Bishop Street.

Born in Stillorgan, Dublin in born in I865 in Stillorgan, Alexandrina McCausland Stewart came north to pursue her music career, where she took part in both public concerts and private recitals and was a frequent performer in Belfast and in St.Columb’s Choral Union in Derry in 1887.

Following her marriage to Abraham McCausland Stewart in 1898, she had formed the Londonderry Philharmonic and had invited a representative from the Dublin Feis Ceoil to advise on the establishment of a similar competition in Derry.

By April 7, 1900, Derry had the second Feis Ceoil in Ireland, before Sligo in 1903 and Belfast in 1908, kicking off a rich musical heritage which is still thriving today.

The issue was discussed at of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Business and Culture Committee.

The meeting was told that the cost of erecting the plaque was £800, which would be accompanied by a launch event in the Tower Hotel, and that the cost could be covered by council’s Museum & Visitor Services budget.

The meeting also heard that The Ulster History Circle had approached the landlords, four in all, of 9 Crawford Square and have been advised by their Management Company, JSwap, that they are all in agreement for C Blue Plaque to be erected on the building and ‘were interested to learn that a famous person who contributed to the musical history of the city, lived there’.

The Ulster History Circle is also seeking to erect a further two plaques to Elizabeth O’Doherty (E.H. O’Doherty) who was responsible for the founding of the Feis Dhoire Cholmcille in 1922 and lived in 27 Francis Street,.

A plaque is also being planned in honour of James Redmond Friel (1907-1979), a musician, composer and teacher over the next year.

Speaking at the council meeting, Sinn Fein councillor Patricia Logue asked consideration be given to erecting a Blue Plaque at the Guildhall in honour of Hugh C O’Doherty, the first ever nationalist Mayor of the city in 1920.

Stephen Gillespie, Strategic Director with the council, said Cllr Logue’s request would be put to The Ulster History Circle as a recommendation.