Feis na nGleann
Feis na nGleann
Waterfoot is where the first-ever 'Feis na nGleann' took place in 1904, the ‘Gaelic Revival’ which began in the 1880s spread throughout Ireland to promote and preserve the Gaelic language and culture. The enthusiasm and motivation behind the revival led to the formation of a local committee in the Glens of Antrim which organized the first unique 'Feis na nGleann'. One of the members of the Gaelic League and a life-long promoter of the Irish Language and Culture was Francis Joseph Biggar, a member of the Royal Irish Academy, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. He helped promote, organize and fund the first 'Feis na nGleann' at Waterfoot.
In February 1904, the first committee was formed with representatives from all of the nine Glens of Antrim, one of the representatives from Glenshesk was Roger Casement, a close friend of Francis Biggar and a diplomat in the British Foreign Office. He funded a ship to bring Gaelic speakers from Raghery (Rathlin Island) to Waterfoot for the 'Feis na nGleann'. This part of the glens and Raghery were the last natural Gaelic speaking areas in Ulster which gave impetus to establishing the event. Contrary to some perceptions, the festival is a shared cultural event which crosses political and religious divides, since 1904 it has taken place annually in June, the venue changes each year so that all areas have an opportunity to host it.