History of the Féis an Eilein A Féis (faysh) is a community-based festival designed to promote the Gaelic language and culture of an area. The first Féis was held on the Isle of Barra in 1981. Today in Scotland the Féis Movement has grown to number approximately 36 community festivals. The community of Christmas Island, located on Cape Breton, is home to the first Féis to be held outside of Scotland . Our inaugural festival was held in 1991. The Féis Movement on Cape Breton has grown to number four others.

In 1993 the steering committee for Féis An Eilein formed a Society to allow for increased community participation in the preservation and promotion of our indigenous Gaelic Culture. The Society is a well-structured volunteer organization and has elected Officers and Board of Directors. An annual meeting is held each May.

Since our inception Comunn Féis An Eilein has gained a prominent position within the Gaelic cultural community. Dedication to our underlying principals has engendered respect amongst our peers. Indeed when Salter Street Films wished to film a traditional milling frolic for their Celtic Electric Special, resource people in the Gaelic Cultural community directed the producer to Féis An Eilein. Subsequently, a segment was filmed in Christmas Island for the show.

The annual Féis An Eilein encompasses workshops in Gaelic language and song, stepdancing, fiddle and chanter. A two day Gaelic Activities Camp for youth is held each year. Another key feature of the annual féis is the provision of opportunities for visitors and residents to participate in the Gaelic culture through concerts, milling frolics céilidhs and square dances. Many of the entertainers at these social events took their first step dancing or fiddle lesson during one of our workshops.

Proceeds of the annual Féis are used to offer classes in Gaelic language and song, step-dancing and chanter. The classes are subsidized by the Society and lessons are offered to children and youths at no charge.

A day-long winter Féis is held each year when students can take instruction and perform before an audience at the milling frolic and céilidh during the evening. Presentation of our annual festival has given our committee in-depth experience in hosting major attractions. Each year the Féis draws approximately 2500 participants. Among our visitors are Gaelic learners and cultural visitors from all parts of the world.

As our Society gains in experience we continue to sponsor additional events which are designed to raise awareness of and increase accessibility to Cape Breton Gaelic Culture. In 1997 we staged our first ever Piper's Céilidh. The world's foremost Gaelic pipers gathered at the fire hall to present a memorable evening of traditional piping. The event was sold out and we continue to present the Piper's Céilidh as part of this year's Gaelic Culture Concert Series. The first event was video-taped by the University College of Cape Breton for inclusion into the archives at the Beaton Institute.

If you would like to see a list of the community place names in Gaelic, click here.