There is poetry, music, song and dance at two Sligo feiseanna but the town needs a school of music.
Every year around two thousand people compete for awards in the week long Feiseanna. Young performers must overcome any shyness and demonstrate their talents for an audience and the judges.
The Sligo events date back to the beginning of the century. It is the only place in Ireland where two feiseanna take place at the same time. In recent years, attendance has fallen and new plans hope to attract bigger numbers.
Kathleen Costello of Feis Ceoil talks about the dwindling numbers attending both festivals and the need for educated amateur musicians who will have the prospect of becoming professional.
The amateur musician is the backbone of music.
Irish dancers come from all over the world to compete with locals in the hope of taking home a trophy. Festival organisers believe that these events emphasise the need for a local school of music. While a building has been made available for such a facility, there have been difficulties in getting approval on the appointment of staff to run a school.
Chairman of Sligo Feis Ceoil Rowland Blennerhassett says there is a need for a Sligo school of music. He points out that at present local children must travel to Dublin to attend the School of Music.
There's a crying need for a school of music in Sligo.
General Secretary Feis Shligigh Kevin Carroll believes there should be more recognition for music and a school would help to achieve this.
An RTÉ News reports on 6 May 1985. The reporter is Tommie Gorman.
