Feis Ceoil 130 - Ireland in Harmony: music and art unite in 2026

In 2026, Feis Ceoil celebrates its 130th anniversary. To mark the occasion, Feis Ceoil and the National Gallery of Ireland are joining forces to showcase the intertwined history of music and visual art over this formative period in Ireland’s history. 

Four collaborative events will be held in the Gallery's Shaw Room over the course of 2026, featuring important Irish art and live performances by acclaimed Feis Ceoil alumni. Each event will include a presentation on selected artworks from the Gallery's collection, followed by a live classical performance by the featured artist, both commemorating a key period in Feis Ceoil’s history (1897- 2026).

Themes explored across the series are:

• Founding Years: 1890s-1910s – Establishment of the competition in 1896 and early years promoting Irish classical music.
• Between the Wars: 1920s-1940s – Building momentum and helping Irish music flourish,  even in challenging times.
• Modernisation and Global Reach: 1960s–1980s - Growing into a modern festival that produces internationally renowned artists for the world stage.
• Contemporary Ireland: 1990s–2026 - Helping the music thrive through every chapter, onwards into the 21st century and digital age, with international collaborations and new music commissions.

Details of the first two events are below, with a further two events to be announced in spring 2026.

Founding Years: 1890s–1910s | Thursday 5 February, 6.30pm 

• Featured artwork: Walter Osborne (1859-1903), In a Dublin Park, Light and Shade, presented by Dr Brendan Rooney, Head Curator at the National Gallery of Ireland.
• Featured performer: Finghin Collins (piano).
• Find out more and book your ticket here.

Finghin Collins has a long and distinguished association with Feis Ceoil and is one of the Festival’s most ardent ambassadors.  He is a multiple prize winner, having excelled not only on piano, but also on organ and violin.  He has always credited his Feis Ceoil experience with assisting him in his later professional career, saying: "I would not be the pianist I am today without the invaluable experience I gained by taking part in the Feis Ceoil throughout my formative years.  It was the perfect preparation for major International competitions as well as for a performing career and was a very big step on the ladder to greater things!". 

Finghin will open this exciting series at the National Gallery, performing work by composers including Esposito and Stanford from this era. Read more about Finghin on his website: www.finghincollins.com 

Programme:
Chopin Nocturne Op. 9 No. 1
Esposito Ballade Op. 59 No. 1 
Stanford Caprice Op. 138 No. 4 
Alban Berg Sonata Op. 1 
Debussy L’Isle Joyeuse 
Elaine Agnew “Seagull”

Between the Wars: 1920s–1940s | Thursday 26 March, 6.30pm 

• Featured artwork: William Orpen (1878-1931), Portrait of John Count McCormack (1884-1945), Tenor, 1923, presented by Niamh MacNally, Curator of the Prints & Drawings Study Room
• Featured performers: Patrick Rafter (violin) and Dida Condria (piano).
• Find out more and book your ticket here. 

Patrick is a multiple prize winner at Feis Ceoil, competing both on violin and in Orchestral Conducting, another of his passions.  During the course of his successful career he has always shown great generosity with his time and talents, performing at numerous concerts in support of the Feis.  Of his experience, Patrick says: “The Feis Ceoil is one of the greatest pillars of my musical foundation. Having a competition that caters for all ages, repertoire, and ensembles is one of the most important assets to Irish musicians. I cherish my memories. My experiences at the Feis Ceoil have so greatly aided me in becoming the musician I am today.”. Read more about Patrick here: www.patrickrafter.com   

Dida has been a more recent competitor at Feis Ceoil winning major prizes as recently as 2024.  Now studying in Scotland, she has turned her attention to international competitions, and reached the semi-final of the Dublin International Piano competition in May 2025.  She is also a finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Future. As well as her solo work, Dida loves chamber and orchestra collaborations.  

Together, Patrick and Dida have devised a programme to entertain and inform, with representative composers from the featured era.

Programme:
Nikolai Medtner - Sonata No. 2, 2nd movt.
Ralph Vaughan Williams - The Lark Ascending
Sergei Prokofiev - Five melodies for violin and piano
Ina Boyle - Songs transcribed for violin and piano