WATCH: Danny Boy sung in iconic St Columb's Hall

From left: Feis Dhoire Cholmcille stalwarts, Pat MacCafferty, Pat Henderson, Ella McLaughlin, Aisling Bonner, Ursula Clifford, Attracta Bradley, Colette Craig and Betty Gallagher, singing 'Danny Boy' as Tuesday night' book launch drew to a close.

The long-awaited launch of ‘Feis Dhoire Cholmcille: Celebrating a Century of Culture’ has taken place in Derry’s iconic St Columb's Hall.

The gorgeous book, written by former journalist, Eamon Sweeney, commemorates 2022, the centenary year of the Feis, chronicles its history and tells the stories of some of its participants down through the years. 

The launch began with a welcome from Feis legend, Pat McCafferty, who introduced the McColgan family from Muff in Inishowen, regular Feis participants and prizewinners, to entertain the company with some beautiful Traditional music. 

Aisling Bonner, Feis Secretary, and Míċeál-Piaras Ó Ceallaiġ, An Teanga Co-ordinator, spoke movingly about what Feis Dhoire Cholmcille meant to them.

The audience was then entertained by Feis musician, Trevor Burnside, who played his own composition, the haunting ‘Paddy McCafferty’s Air’. 

Irish dancers, Joshua Concannon, from the Porter School of Irish Dancing, and Mia Doherty from the McCloskey / McCafferty School of Irish dancing, dazzled the audience with a display of steps.

Kevin Doran, a Speech and Drama competitor and Maureen Downey Cup finalist performed ‘Mickey’s Monologue’ from ‘Blood Brothers’, after which talented singer, Rachel Harley, sang two moving songs.

Eamon Sweeney then began by thanking those in attendance for their support for the Feis over the years, as well as fellow journalist, Catherine McGinty, who did some of the interviews contained in ‘Feis Dhoire Cholmcille: Celebrating a Century of Culture’.

He added: “Thanks also to former Feis Secretary Fr Kevin Mullan, who also took the time and trouble to collate his memories of the Feis for the work and did so with great affection and humour.

“My thanks too go to current Feis Secretary, Aislin Binner, who backed this project from the start and who has had the foresight to realise that marking the centenary of the Feis in print for those who will follow in our footsteps was a vital part of capturing some of the events of the last ten decades.”

Eamon also thanked Alannah Campbell, Mary-Ann McNulty and Patrick Leonard, the team behind the superbly presented book.

“A special mention however must go to Pat McCafferty and Ursula Clifford, the two longest serving members of the Feis Dhoire Cholmcille committee,” said Eamonn.

“It was not just their wealth of knowledge about the Feis that mattered here, it was also their willingness to share that knowledge and advice that mattered.

“To you, the people who have supported the Feis generation after generation, to the volunteer staff and of course every single competitor across all ages and still to come, we give our eternal gratitude. It is a plain fact that without you all that the Feis would not have survived and thrived in the way it has. 

“It was always great to leave the performance hall carrying a medal or trophy, but it’s perhaps in later years that you realise that what you have been given was much more than that. The Feis remains a platform not only for performance, but for confidence building, creating a work ethic, a place where lifelong friendships are forged and a social outlet where you can take pride not only in your efforts but watch your friends grow in all those things as well,” said Eamon.

Eamon said Feis Dhoire Cholmcille created a pride of place.

“It makes us realise that we in Derry and Donegal and Tyrone can and do punch well above our artistic weight, not only in Ireland but across the world.

“No doubt, we will see you all again soon during Easter week.”

The wonderful evening concluded with the Feis’ traditional general performance of ‘Danny Boy’, accompanied by Trevor Burnside and Cormac McColgan.