To the parents and teachers - your support and encouragement are the foundation of our Feis. To our sponsors and Sligo County Council - your generosity makes it all possible. And to our hardworking committee and volunteers - your commitment keeps the tradition alive.
This year’s Feis, dedicated to the memory of Kevin Carroll, was a testament to his
enduring legacy. His passion for the festival will never be forgotten.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir,
Feis Shligigh Committee
The 2025 Feis Shligigh was dedicated to the memory of Kevin Carroll, our former Honorary General Secretary. Kevin’s unwavering dedication, love for the arts, drama, the Irish language, and his native Sligo were instrumental in shaping the Feis into what it is today.
Feis Shligigh was founded in 1903 as a Gaelic Feis for Connacht, with aims to revive our national Language and Heritage. Dr. Douglas Hyde, the first President of Ireland, adjudicated the Irish Language Competitions in those early days. After a brief hiatus, the Feis resumed in 1929 and has grown steadily ever since.Traditionally held during Easter Week, the increasing number of competitors led to a new format in 2006, with events now taking place over three weekends before Easter and culminating in four days of Drama during Holy Week.
This year, as we celebrate the enduring legacy of Feis Shligigh, we also honor Kevin Carroll’s lifelong commitment to preserving and promoting Irish culture and heritage.
I mbliana táimid ag eagrú Feis Shligigh in ómós do Chaoimhín Ó Chearbhaill, fear a d`oibrigh go dian le blianta fada mar rúnaí Feis Shligigh. D`imigh Caoimhín uainn ar shlí na Fírinne ar an gcéad lá de Dheireadh Fómhair 2024. Go déana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílís.
Feis Shligigh 2025 was in memory of a former General Secretary Kevin Carroll who departed this life on October 1st 2024.
Kevin was born into Feis Shligigh and its traditions as his late father Séan Carroll was one of those responsible for the revival of the Feis in 1929. Kevin`s father also served as Secretary and later as President.
Kevin took over as Secretary in 1980, and with some short breaks served in that capacity with distinction until recent years.
Kevin, over the years has been inspirational, energetic and committed as a member of Feis Shligigh. He always promoted the aims of the Feis to preserve, foster and further all aspects of our Cultúr Gaelach. in particular the Irish language, dance, music, song, verse speaking and drama.
Easter week was a very special and busy time for him as General Secretary and he gave of himself energetically and wholeheartedly. He ensured the Feis ran smoothly and successfully and together with his late wife Maureen, and their sons Séan, Ronan and Comac, they would give over their home for those few weeks at Easter time.
Kevin was a visionary in many ways, and because of increasing entries at the Feis, he realised it was becoming more difficult to have all competitions' during Easter week. For this reason and at his insistence, the greatly expanded Drama competitions took place in the week preceding Easter.
Feis Shligigh, we remember took place traditionally in Sligo Town Hall until 1997 when it was no longer available to us. Other suitable venues had to be sought, and this together with an increased number of entries meant that we had to forego Easter week and hold the Feis over three weekends. Kevin to his credit, and with great regret at the loss of the Town Hall, embraced and led this change of format with great enthusiasm for the Feis and its aims. He took on the extra burden of organisation and inspired us as a committee to take on the new challenge of time and place successfully.
Kevin had a special grá for the Rincí Gaelacha section and was an accomplished Rinceoir himself together with his lady wife Maureen. They successfully organised and promoted this section with great vigour and success. Sadly, because of events outside of our control, this section has lapsed in recent years. However, le Cúnamh Dé and in Ómós do Chaoimhín, we will be able to have Rinci Gaelacha go luath aris.
North-South co-operation was very high on Kevin`s agenda and to further this he established a link with Feis Doire Cholmchillle. For many years a competitor form Feis Shligigh went to the Guildhall in Derry for a special competition, and a competitor from Derry came to perform in Sligo. Kevin was so proud of this link and together with some members of our committee, made the journey to Derry annually to attend the competition there.
Kevin over his lifetime was without doubt, the beating heart of Feis Shligigh.
He was always seeking to further its aims to promote our language and culture, in particular to remember Seamus Devins and The Noble Six in whose memory we exist. To his great credit his last public appearance was to lay a wreath at the Republican plot in Sligo Cemetery last September.
He always remembered `an seisear uasal a maraíodh ar Bheann Gulbain ` and we know that it was his wish, that we continue to remember them and their sacrifice and pass on their story and tradition to future generations.
We will remember them always. Bhi Caoimhín brodúil as ár gcultúr gealach agus mar ball de Feis Shligigh d`oibrigh sé go dian agus go dícheallach de ló is d`oiche ar son na cúise.
Aireoimid uainn é go deo.
Ni bheidh a leithéid arís ann agus leaba I measc na naomh go raibh aige. Slan leat a chara,
Michael Currid Uachtarán
