Feis Laitiarain - Cullen Feis

Celebrating 108th Birthday in 2006

The following is a brief history of Feis Laitiarain (Cullen Feis )

The first Feis was staged in 1898 by the new principal of the local school, Sean O Cadhle, along with the help of other local people.O Cadhla came to Cullen with a traditional Gaelic background and started teaching Irish in the school. This was frowned upon by the authorities at the time.

The records from the National Library list the following as the Committee members for the first Feis

Michael O Sindle, Donncha O Laoire, Sean O hIceadha, Seamus O hIceadha, Tadh O Conchubhair.

In the early years the Feis was mostly held indoors. For instance the 1910 Feis was held in the Old Chapel in Cullen which was no longer in use for religious purposes. Unfortunately this fine building was allowed to decay and was finally demolished

Prior to Irish Independence, British Rule disapproved of our Gaelic traditions and the Feis was no exception. The most notable example of this policy took place in 1918. On that day the Feis was held in the north side of the village in Riordan's field. During the competitions aeroplanes arrived and continuously swooped down on the stage to disrupt the proceedings.

This was a terrifying situation for those present as it was the first time many ( if nor all ) had seen an aeroplane and nobody knew what destruction they were capable of. However the people rallied and the Feis survived,

Recently, the Feis has grown, as a result of greater organisational input.

There is great community interest and commitment.

This year's Feis will be held on June 18th 2006.