Molloy College Hosts Annual Irish Feis

Step dancers, bagpipe players and members of the Gaelic community gathered on Molloy College's Rockville Centre campus on Sunday for the Nassau County Ancient Order of Hibernians' annual feis. A tradition in Nassau County since 1972, the feis featured step and piping competitions, musical performances, an Irish marketplace and a ceremony honoring Paddy McCarthy, publisher of the Irish Examiner.

In the areas surrounding the step dancing and piping competitions, attendees lined up to play carnival games, have balloon animals made and eat at the barbeque tents, while Irish retailers like Celtic Crossroads, Inc. and bagpipe supplier, Pipelander, sold their merchandise.

Vicky Bubloski, of Bayside, said she attended the feis to support her girlfriend, a Shade Academy dancer who participated in the adult step dancing competition. "I've come every single year for over nine years now," she said. "It's important to me to be here to support the Shade Academy and Molloy College." 

Jim Burke of the Ancient Order of Hibernians ran the piping competition and said the type of music they play embodies the Irish culture. "We're trying to promote the music and the culture today," he explained. "Everyone is having a great time, so you can't beat it."

The Ancient Order of Hibernians is an Irish American organization that helps to preserve Irish traditions in the United States and welcome new Irish Americans to the country. Events like the annual feis serve to help those who are several generations removed from Ireland connect to their culture.