Preserving and promoting Ireland’s culture and heritage is at the heart of Chicago Gaelic Park, and that mission includes Irish dance.
The Chicago Feis (pronounced “fesh”) returns to the Oak Forest venue for the first time since 2022 with more than 675 dancers from more than 60 schools already registered to compete. Beginners to prizewinners dance on May 25 while champions dance on May 26.
“It’s an Irish dance competition,” said Brendan Houlihan, who is co-chairing the Chicago Feis for the first time with Harry Costelloe, who has been in charge of the event for 20-plus years.
“Some categories you’ve got to get first. Some you have to be in the top three. You need these different accomplishments to be able to move up to the next level. A lot of the dances will have between 10 and 15 kids in the competition and only possibly one kid is going to move up. It’s very competitive.”
Competitors include students from area schools such as Cross Keys School of Irish Dance, which practices at Chicago Gaelic Park and is supplying volunteers to help put on the Chicago Feis; Lavin Cassidy School of Irish Dancing in Worth; and Trinity Academy of Irish Dance, which is based in Elmhurst.
Free to the general public, the Chicago Feis begins at 9 a.m. and continues until early afternoon both days with dances including hornpipe, light jig, slip jig, reel, traditional set and treble jig.
“It’s part of Gaelic Park’s mission to promote Irish heritage,” said Houlihan, a Chicago Gaelic Park board member for roughly 20 years.
“Song and dance is a big part of it besides sports and all the other things that are going on at Gaelic Park. It’s, in my opinion and a lot of other people’s, what Gaelic Park is built for.”
The primarily solo competitors at the volunteer-run Chicago Feis will dance to live music performed by Teresa Shine, Ryan Duns, Niall O’Leary, Sean Cleland and Nick Shizas.
The event, which features costumed dancers competing in their own age groups on three indoor stages and one outdoor stage, also offers food and beverage for purchase.
“Everything’s running at the same time so you can walk around and experience the different stages,” said Houlihan of Palos Heights.
“We have a lot of good things to offer this year — the outside beer garden and you can eat outside. Hopefully it will be a beautiful day. Otherwise, there’s tents outside to shield people.”
In-person registration begins at 7 a.m. May 25 at the Chicago Feis, which was founded in 1959 by the Dennehy Parents Club and first took place at McCormick Place in Chicago before eventually becoming a Chicago Gaelic Park-hosted event.
“It’s fun. It’s a good atmosphere,” said Houlihan, whose 14-year-old daughter is among the competitors.
“Grandparents, aunts and uncles, and friends come out to see the kids dance. It’s like coming to a sporting event to see your kids perform. The kids love it. People are awarded trophies and medals.”
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Chicago Feis
When: begins at 9 a.m. May 25-26
Where: Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St., Oak Forest
Tickets: free
Information: 708-687-9323; chicagogaelicpark.org