Honoring Bridget Flynn for her years of dedication!
Michael J. Quill East Durham Feis 2026
| 📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026 — 10 AM | 📍 2267 NY-145, East Durham, NY 12423 |
| ⏳ Entries close 8/17/26 at 6 PM |
| Enter on FeisWeb.com → | 📄 Download Syllabus (PDF) |
What Is a Feis?
An Irish Dance Feis is a vibrant and spirited event that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Ireland through the art of Irish dancing. Rooted in tradition, a Feis is a Gaelic term for a festival, and it embodies a competitive yet festive atmosphere. Dancers of all ages and skill levels showcase their talents, donning intricate costumes adorned with Celtic designs.
The heart of a Feis lies in its intricate choreography, characterized by rapid footwork and precise movements. Dancers perform jigs, reels, and other traditional dances with energetic flair, their rhythmic steps synchronizing with the beat of live music. Adjudicators keenly observe each performance, evaluating technique, posture, and expression to determine winners.
Beyond the competition, a Feis fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among dancers, their families, and enthusiasts. It’s a platform where cultural pride meets artistic expression, encapsulating Ireland’s identity through dance. With its vibrant blend of tradition, talent, and camaraderie, an Irish Dance Feis stands as a captivating homage to the nation’s heritage.
The East Durham Feis is held every year on the 4th Saturday in August. This is technically considered an outdoor feis, but it’s all under permanent, huge pavilions. It’s only an hour and 40 minutes from the Lúnasa Feis in West Springfield, so you can easily make it a double-feis weekend.
Event Information
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Date & Time
Saturday, August 22, 2026 — 10 AM
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Location
2267 NY-145, East Durham, NY 12423
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Entries
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Entry Cap
400 entries — register early!
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Closing Date
8/17/26 at 6:00 PM
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Late Fees Start
8/12/26
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This Feis is registered, sanctioned, and governed by the rules of An Coimisiún (clrg.ie) and the Mid-Atlantic Region. Please refer to those websites for current rules governing the Feis.
The East Durham Feis Committee, the MJQ Irish Cultural & Sports Centre, and/or any other organizations affiliated with the same will not be held responsible for personal injury, property loss, or damage. Destruction of Feis property or rental property will be punishable by law. This is a private event and the Committee reserves the right to accept or refuse admission to the event.
2026 Adjudicators
| Craig Ashurst CT | Maura Gray CT | Annmarie Acosta Williams NY |
| Joanie Cass NY | Mary Kay Heneghan NY | Eddie Murphy NY |
2026 Musicians
| Karen Early Conway NJ | Kevin Forde NJ | Niall Mulligan NY |
Additional adjudicators/musicians may be added if entries dictate.
Competitions
Tír na nÓg (Pre-Beginner) COMP #801
Open to dancers under 8 who are new to the Feis process and just learning the basic steps. One step, one at a time.
Beginner
For a competitor who has not taken Irish dance lessons from a registered teacher prior to 9/1/25. Two steps; boys & girls combined for reel, jig, and hop jig. Dancer must move into Advanced Beginner the following year.
Speeds — Reel & Slip Jig: 122 · Light Jig: 115 · Hop Jig: 124
| Age | Reel | Lt Jig | Slip Jig | Hop Jig |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Under 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Under 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| Under 8 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| Under 9 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| Under 10 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| Under 11 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| Under 12 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 |
| 12 & Over | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 |
| Adult | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 |
Advanced Beginner
For a competitor who has taken Irish dance lessons from a registered teacher prior to 9/1/25. Two steps; boys and girls combined for reel, jigs, and hornpipe. An Advanced Beginner who wins 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place will advance to the Novice category in that dance the following year.
Speeds — Reel & Slip Jig: 122 · Light Jig: 115 · Hop Jig: 124 · Treble Jig: 92 · Hornpipe: 138
| Age | Reel | Slip Jig | Light Jig | Hop Jig | Treble Jig | Trad Hornpipe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 6 | 101 | 102 | 103 | 104 | 105 | 106 |
| Under 7 | 107 | 108 | 109 | 110 | 111 | 112 |
| Under 8 | 113 | 114 | 115 | 116 | 117 | 118 |
| Under 9 | 119 | 120 | 121 | 122 | 123 | 124 |
| Under 10 | 125 | 126 | 127 | 128 | 129 | 130 |
| Under 11 | 131 | 132 | 133 | 134 | 135 | 136 |
| Under 12 | 137 | 138 | 139 | 140 | 141 | 142 |
| Under 13 | 143 | 144 | 145 | 146 | 147 | 148 |
| 13 & Over | 149 | 150 | 151 | 152 | 153 | 154 |
| Adult | 155 | 156 | 157 | 158 | 159 | 160 |
Novice
For a competitor who has previously won a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in Advanced Beginners. A Novice who wins a first place will advance to the Prizewinner category in that particular dance the following year. Two steps; boys and girls combined for reel, jigs, and hornpipe.
Traditional Set options: Saint Patrick’s Day, Blackbird, Job of Journeywork, Garden of Daisies, Jockey to the Fair, King of the Fairies, Three Sea Captains.
| Age | Reel (113) | Slip Jig (113) | Light Jig (115) | Treble Jig (73/92) | Hornpipe (113/138) | Trad Set |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 8 | 201 | 202 | 203 | 204 | 205 | 206 |
| Under 9 | 207 | 208 | 209 | 210 | 211 | 212 |
| Under 10 | 213 | 214 | 215 | 216 | 217 | 218 |
| Under 11 | 219 | 220 | 221 | 222 | 223 | 224 |
| Under 12 | 225 | 226 | 227 | 228 | 229 | 230 |
| Under 13 | 231 | 232 | 233 | 234 | 235 | 236 |
| 13 & Over | 237 | 238 | 239 | 240 | 241 | 242 |
| Adult | 243 | 244 | 245 | 246 | 247 | 248 |
Prizewinner
Two steps; boys and girls combined for reel, jigs, and hornpipe.
Traditional Set options: Saint Patrick’s Day, Blackbird, Job of Journeywork, Garden of Daisies, Jockey to the Fair, King of the Fairies, Three Sea Captains.
| Age | Reel (113) | Slip Jig (113) | Treble Jig (73/92) | Hornpipe (113/138) | Trad Set |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 8 | 301 | 302 | 303 | 304 | 305 |
| Under 9 | 306 | 307 | 308 | 309 | 310 |
| Under 10 | 311 | 312 | 313 | 314 | 315 |
| Under 11 | 316 | 317 | 318 | 319 | 320 |
| Under 12 | 321 | 322 | 323 | 324 | 325 |
| Under 13 | 326 | 327 | 328 | 329 | 330 |
| Under 14 | 331 | 332 | 333 | 334 | 335 |
| 14 & Over | 336 | 337 | 338 | 339 | 340 |
| Adult | 341 | 342 | 343 | 344 | 345 |
Preliminary & Open Championships
Mid-Atlantic Region rule: Dancers must qualify for Open Championship via the method now in place for Preliminary Championship — i.e., three 1st place wins. Dancers must compete in the Preliminary Championship competition in order to qualify for Open Championship. The regional syllabus where the Feis is being held may have different qualifications for entry. Preliminary Championship dancers who win three 1st places in a calendar year must move to Open Championship the following calendar year. When a third 1st place win is achieved over several calendar years, the dancer must move to Open Championship the following weekend.
Preliminary
Open to competitors who have placed 1st in Prizewinner light (Reel or Slip Jig) and hard shoe (Jig or Hornpipe) dances. Boys and girls combined. Dancers must choose one option:
Opt #1: Reel & Hard Shoe Jig · Opt #2: Reel & Hornpipe · Opt #3: Slip Jig & Hard Shoe Jig · Opt #4: Slip Jig & Hornpipe
| U8 | U9 | U10 | U11 | U12 | U13 | U14 | U15 | U16 | U17 | 17&Over | Adult |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #400 | #401 | #402 | #403 | #404 | #405 | #406 | #407 | #408 | #409 | #410 | #411 |
Adult Preliminary Traditional Set (indicate choice): Comp #412
Open Championship
Dancers must specify choice of option and Set Dance of choice. Under 9 Girls & Boys Open must dance Traditional Set.
Opt #1: Reel & Hard Shoe Jig · Opt #2: Reel & Hornpipe · Opt #3: Slip Jig & Hard Shoe Jig · Opt #4: Slip Jig & Hornpipe
Open Girls & Young Ladies
| U9 | U10 | U11 | U12 | U13 | U14 | U15 | U16 | U17 | U18 | 18&Over |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | 501 | 502 | 503 | 504 | 505 | 506 | 507 | 508 | 509 | 510 |
Open Boys & Young Men
| U9 | U10 | U12 | U14 | U16 | 16&Over |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 511 | 512 | 513 | 514 | 515 | 516 |
Special Person COMP #SP100
All ages. One or two steps, jig or reel — dancer’s choice. No charge.
A Special Tribute COMP #900
In Memory of Bridget Flynn Reidy, ADCRG. Freestyle Slip Jig, one step down the line. Freestyle with creativity encouraged! Open to all ages.
Music & Singing Competitions
Beginners: 1 aire or 1 traditional tune. Advanced: 1 aire and 1 traditional tune.
| Level | Age | Fiddle | Accordion | Flute/Tin Whistle | Keyboard | Singing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Under 12 | 809A | 809B | 809C | 809D | 813 |
| Beginner | 12 & Over | 810A | 810B | 810C | 810D | 814 |
| Advanced | Under 12 | 811A | 811C | 811C | 811D | — |
| Advanced | 12 & Over | 812A | 812C | 812C | 812D | — |
Entry Fees
Entries must be submitted online at www.feisweb.com. Payment via PayPal. There will be no refund of entry fees. Address all inquiries to murphyfeismom@hotmail.com.
Late fee of $25.00 per family starts on 8/12/26. Late fee between 8/15 and 8/17 is $50.00 per family. Entries will close on August 17, 2026 at 6 PM. No changes can be made to competitions, dances, etc. after that time.
See you in East Durham!
Questions about entries? Contact murphyfeismom@hotmail.com
