The Irish Festival and  FEIS (fesh) is run by the Nassau County Ancient Order of Hibernian's to promote Irish arts, Culture and History. Entry is a $10.00 donation including parking and entry to the competitions.

All children 15 and younger get free admission when accompanied by an adult.

Bring your lunch with enough food and drink, relax in the shade and enjoy the various competitions. The sheer energy of the step-dancers is intoxicating many visitors just come to see them judged to move on to championships. More than 30 from last year’s FEIS moved on to State Competition.

There will be over 500 Irish dancer’s judged as well as Bag piping, Irish Music, Language and baking, an art & drawing contest. The Festival draws vendors with their Irish jewelry, clothing and wares.

The 2016 Festival is Sunday September 18^th from 9am to 6 pm at Nickerson Beach, 880 Lido Blvd. in the town of Lido.

Bring a -“Picnic Lunch”- find a shady spot, camp and make a day of it.

The park has their own concession food available. The field does not allow any pets on the property or grills.

The exhibits include  Irish Dancing, amateur and championship. Figure Dancing, Adult Dancing, Solo Piping and Drumming, Pipe Bands, Irish Traditional Singing, Irish Soda Bread Dancing and Bagpipe Competitions all professionally judged .

(Anyone can enter the baking contest or art contest for free on the day of the show. look at the Syllabus on the web site.),

Irish Entertainment, Irish Storytelling and Language, wares for sale, exhibition Irish football skills and some Children’s Games. There is a Catholic Mass celebrated at 11:00am.

Further entertainment includes as a special guest, The SPORTING PADDIES, performing an afternoon concert, all included in the $10 admission for the day.

The day centers on original Irish traditions, and this, the only OUTDOOR FEIS still being held makes this the top Irish-American Cultural event in the New York Area.

The Ancient Order of Hibernian’s (AOH) is the oldest charitable fraternal organization still operating in the USA SINCE 1836.

 The NASSAU COUNTY FEIS COMMITTEE CORP.  is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and run by volunteers organized by the Nassau County Ancient Order of Hibernian's once a year.

    The Ancient Order of Hibernians, since 1836, contribute to local and national charities including many veterans causes, youth organizations, scouting, hunger projects and help those less fortunate but also promote all Irish Arts and Culture. Everything from Irish S ports like Hurling and Gaelic Football to supporting Irish Studies programs, scholarships, hosting local events like dances, parades and of course the NYC Saint Patrick's Day Parade.

The 2016 Honoree for the Nassau County Irish Festival will be John M. Ryan who has been an active member of the Hibernians here on Long Island and through his many activities spreads Irish Culture and arts wherever he goes. John is the Veterans Service Officer for the area which keeps him busy . He is a Past President of the Nassau County AOH Board. A retired NYPD Detective and on the New York State AOH Board for Veterans affairs.

All the Information can be found on the web at  www.nassauaohfeis.com

Photos and copy by John O’Brien