98th Newry Musical Feis opens with packed programme ahead
The 98th Newry Musical Feis got underway last Friday (February 13).
At one of the original planning meetings in autumn 1928, a comment was made that: ‘it was necessary to have secretaries who knew not the meaning of the word failure’ and this is still a necessary requirement, not only for the section leaders but the whole team of office bearers, committee members and voluntary helpers too as they prepare for the 2026 festival.
The feis community are getting ready for 48 days of performances, when almost every day has morning, afternoon and evening sessions to be organised, adjudicated and stewarded.
Family members and friends of the performers come along to support their work and it is hoped that many local people who enjoy the performing arts, and don’t have a direct connection to those taking part, will come along and see for themselves the extraordinary displays of talent in the fields of music, dance and speech.
The dates and venues for NMF 2026 are: Irish Dance (Open): February 13-15 in Newry Town Hall; Ballet & Theatre Dance: April 16–21 in Newry Town Hall; Speech & Drama (Open): April 13–18 in The Canal Court Hotel; Traditional Irish Music in a number of venues in St Colman’s College, Newry on Sunday, April 19; Music: March 23–24 in St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook with the remainder of the Music Classes running concurrently in Newry Town Hall and The Canal Court Hotel from Saturday, April 11 until Saturday, April 18.
The date and venue for Organ Classes will be announced soon; Speech and Drama (Open) runs from April 20–25 in the Canal Court Hotel, immediately followed by Speech and Drama (Schools) from April 27–May 1 in two venues in The Canal Court, with a few evening Drama productions taking place in Newry Town Hall.
The 98th Newry Musical Feis concludes with Irish Dance (Confined), which will run in Newry Town Hall on the weekend of May 2- 3.
Several substantial bursaries, totalling £10,000, have become available in 2026 and this development has generated much international interest. Entries have been received from performers, some of them currently studying in London, who hail from places as far afield as Canada, China and Japan.
All the bursaries are designed to further the progress of exceptionally talented performers who are aiming to follow professional careers in the arts.
Newry Musical Feis organisers say they are indebted to Newry native, Peter Rice, who, being deeply impressed by the impact festival performance has on the development of young people, has chosen to secure the continuation of these NMF bursaries far into the future.