The Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone. Photo: Paulina Kusa.

Primary schools' Feile Ceoil returns to Dean Crowe stage tonight

After a three-year absence, Féile Ceoil na Scoileanna returns to the Dean Crowe Theatre stage in Athlone from this evening (Monday) until Wednesday, with two nightly performances and two matinées.

This children's festival of music, song, drama and dance is non-competitive and primary school children from Athlone and across the Midlands are invited to take part.

This year marks the 55th staging of the event, and it will be opened at 7pm this evening by Jean Farrell, the Athlone writer and former teacher at St Mary's National School. Jean writes a weekly column in the Westmeath Independent, and her play 'The Six Marys' has been performed all over Ireland and the UK.

The schools participating in the Féile this week include: St Clare's NS,Tubberclare; Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí, Áth Luain; Clonown NS; Cornafulla NS; St Peter's NS; Ballinahown NS; Gaelscoil de hÍde, Ros Comáin; Summerhill NS; Scoil an Chroí Naofa, Ballinasloe; St Paul’s NS; St Mary’s NS, Athlone; St Ronan’s NS,Taughmaconnell; St Mary’s NS, Newtowncashel; Streamstown NS; and Coosan NS.

The aim of the Féile is to promote Irish music, song and dance while embracing the many other cultures and traditions that are now an integral part of our schools. The Féile Ceoil enables schools to share in and enjoy the performances of other groups, free from the stress of competition.

People are welcome to come along to the Féile to enjoy the variety of musical entertainment. In addition to the opening event at 7pm this evening (doors open 6.30pm), there will be a 10am matinee and a 7pm performance tomorrow (Tuesday), as well as a 10am matinee on Wednesday.

Tickets can be purchased on the door by cash or card. Adult Entry Fee: €5. Child Entry Fee: €1. Participating children do not pay.