Our First McGahan Lees Feis
19th & 20th January 2002

Did we like it??

YES we did!

Over the last year there has been a rise in the number of feis on the circuit. The McGahan Lees is one of the new kids on the block both as a school and as a feis organiser, this being only their second feis.

We missed the inaugural feis last year so made sure we went this time. Planning a feis that runs to time, without stress and tension for all concerned can be a difficult task even for the feis veterans so it was a very brave step for a relatively young school to take in the first place. We had no idea what to expect but were prepared for the usual chaos!!!

The only thing I was sure about was that the Championship scoring was going to be fairly quick due to their use of the FeisMark scoring software. I have actually used and evaluated this myself and it certainly makes life easier! It was designed and created by a parent of one of the McGahan Lees dancers so it was obviously going to be used!

The venue was easy to find despite the appalling weather, although we can't blame them for that! All of the halls were fairly large and comfortable, making a very nice change from many of the feis. On entering the Championship hall we were pleasantly surprised to find that the competitions were running fairly well to time and that there was a timetabled lunch break between the competitions that Siobhán was competing in. It was a welcome break which was gratefully accepted for refuelling ourselves!

On returning to the hall (before our due time) we watched the next competition. Frances McGahan herself was acting as MC on the mike dressed in a very glitzy top! Her friendly banter with the musicians, the audience, and in particular, the dancers themselves certainly made for an overall atmosphere that we were there first and foremost for the dancers to enjoy themselves. It is a sad fact that all too often the dancers, without whom there is no feis, are treated like they are generally a pain to the organisers.

Not once did I hear Frances berating anyone for delays in joining the queues etc. Indeed at one point she led the audience in a friendly complaint about delays caused by her own helpers! The under 7 (or perhaps under 8) Champioship dancers were all lined up on stage awaiting their results and for once the FeisMark man had not appeared. Frances led the children (and parents) in the chant "Where are our results?"

The children all thought it was a great laugh as Guy (Frances' husband) came running into the hall to a rousing cheer! The whole day was hectic but friendly and the only down side was that our Siobhán just missed the recall! We finished roughly on time and got home fairly early.

Overall an experience we will happily repeat when next year comes round.

Don't miss next year!

But they don't reserve their goodwill just for their own dancers. We met them again last week at the All Irelands and a second time at Kerry airport on the way home. And in both meetings they treated us as fellows in the Irish Dance world rather than as enemies!

Some of the more established schools would do well to study their way as it certainly reminds us that dancing is meant to be FUN!