Two World Wars couldn't stop the Feis Ceoil, but a cattle disease brought it to a halt last year.Foot-and-mouth disease forced the cancellation of Ireland's largest classical music event for the first time in 106 years.
But the Siemens Feis Ceoil in Dublin is back this year. It opened on Monday, with more than 8,000 entrants listed to perform. Two weeks of competition will culminate in a prizewinners' concert in the RDS Concert Hall on Sunday, March 24th.
Feis Ceoil involves 168 singing and instrumental competitions which are being held in the RDS and in churches in Ballsbridge, Donnybrook and Trinity College.
Three days are dedicated to choral competitions while other competitions include bursaries for performers in strings, brass, piano and woodwind. Entrants range in age from nine years upwards.
Feis Ceoil is open to entries from all 32 counties. Like its traditional counterpart - the Fleadh Ceoil - the Feis has acted as a stepping stone for many well-known names. Previous winners include John Count McCormack, Dr John O'Conor, Dr Bernadette Greevy, Mr Hugh Tinney and Cora Venus Lunny.
Results from the Siemens Feis Ceoil:
Competition No. 45, Soprano Solo: 1st Colette Boushell, Dún Laoghaire; 2nd Helene Hutchinson, Dublin.
Competition No. 142, Junior Oboe: No Award.
Competition No. 140, Junior Flute B: 1st Naoise O'Briain, Dublin; 2nd Elizabeth Roddy, Dublin.
Competition No. 144, Junior Saxophone: 1st, Patrick Hughes, Dublin; 2nd, Daniel Dunne, Wicklow.
Denis O'Sullivan Medal: 1st, Liebe Kelly, Monaghan; 2nd, Emer Barry, Longford.
Competition No: 133, McCullough Cup: 1st, Kate Hearne, Dublin; 2nd, Catherine McKay, Dublin.
Competition No. 99, Junior Classical Guitar B: 1st, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Dublin.
Competition No. 98, Junior Classical Guitar A: 1st, Nicholas Fitzgerald, Dublin; 2nd Damien Kelly, Dublin.
Competition No. 129, Fitzgerald Trophy: 1st, Cormac Brady, Dublin.
Competition No. 131, Junior Organ: 1st, Patrice Keegan, Co. Dublin.
Competition No. 46, Mezzo Soprano Solo: 1st, Niamh O'Hanlon, c/o DIT; 2nd, Margaret Deasy, c/o DIT.
Competition No. 36, Milne Cup: 1st, Emily Boyle, Antonia Boyle, Dublin; 2nd, Claudia Boyle, Anne Mulhall, Dublin.
Competition No. 8, Lennox Braid Memorial Challenge Cup for Church Choirs: 1st, King's Hospital Chapel Singers, Dublin.
Raymond Kearns String Bursary: 1st, Anna Cashell, Co Dublin.
