A highlight of this feis, and sadly missing from yesterday, is the annual "gathering of the students" that happend when the 15 years and older age groups are competing. This spectacle adds to the enjoyment of the feis by all participants. It works like this....
The feis is run in the grounds of St Gregory's College, which is a day and boarding school for boys. Usually when the aforementioned age groups compete, the boys ring the upper auditorium to appreciate the finer points of dancing, something they are probably not taught as part of their school curricula. It is always wonderful to see a large group of teenage boys jostling to get a better view of the complex dancing techniques.
Yesterday, the boys were not here - they were on their way back from a football match in Bathurst.
Just now, some of the boarders did make a brief appearance at the balcony to watch - not as many as in previous years, but it is good to see a tradition kept alive. Perhaps some of them may take up Irish Dancing because of it? :)
