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Last year I described the Maguire O’Shea feis as a major event in all but name. This year the weather was positively Mediterranean, and with European accents all around me it would have been easy to imagine I was at a major European event.

In the Mediterranean heat Michael and Kathleen Maguire remained as cool as cucumbers demonstrating their professionalism in organising and running such a large feis. They were keen to emphasise the help given by their army of parents who were helping out in catering, stewarding and cleaning. 

In the backroom, a small team led by Southern Region Council member John Hayden dealt with registration and computerisation of results in a way that is fast becoming an essential aspect of all large feiseanna. 

Clearly this was yet another successful Maguire O’Shea feis, held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, and I came away feeling sure it will attract more and more dancers each year from the home countries, and from Europe and North America.