A fascinating collection of Feis trophies at Newry and Mourne Museum shines a spotlight on the district’s rich cultural heritage and its long-standing contribution to Irish language, music, dance and performance. Displayed across the museum’s galleries, the trophies tell stories of local achievement, national recognition and community pride.
Among the standout items in the temporary exhibition Categorically Celtic in Gallery 1a is the Ashbourne Shield, or Sciath Mhic Giolla Bhríde, which has been awarded annually since 1936 by Comhaltas Uladh, an organisation dedicated to promoting Irish culture and heritage. The shield recognises the best boys’ and girls’ schools in Northern Ireland for excellence in spoken Irish. Its design is as meaningful as its purpose: a central silver boss carries an embossed triskele, surrounded by intricate interlaced Celtic patterns. The triskele, an ancient motif of three spirals, comes from the Greek word meaning “three-legged”, and is often associated with movement, cycles and the number three, including interpretations of life, death and rebirth. Newry schools have enjoyed notable success with the award. Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School claimed the title in 1941, 1942, 1992, 2001, 2004 and 2014, while Our Lady’s Grammar School brought the shield back to Newry in 2018. The example currently on display is on loan from Craobh an Iúir, the Newry branch of Conradh na Gaeilge.
Another important exhibit is the Madame Markievicz Cup, part of the museum’s permanent collection in Gallery 3. First presented at the Feis Shligigh (Sligo Feis) in 1934, the cup recognises excellence in Irish traditional music, dance and drama. It is named after Countess Constance Markievicz, a pioneering figure in Irish history. Born into the Gore-Booth family of Lissadell House in County Sligo, she became a revolutionary nationalist, socialist and campaigner for Irish independence. In December 1918, she made history as the first woman elected to the UK House of Commons, though she did not take her seat in line with Sinn Féin’s abstentionist policy.
Newry’s connection to the cup is especially strong through Arthur Burns, who won it three years in a row in 1935, 1936 and 1937. Born in Abbey Yard in 1916, Burns was the first prize winner at Newry Feis in 1924, aged just eight. He later became a respected Irish dance teacher, adjudicator, choreographer and innovator, remaining active until his death in 1990. The cup has continued to honour leading performers, including Michael Flatley, who won it in 1975, 1976 and 1977 before achieving international fame.
The Robert Sterritt Memorial Perpetual Challenge Cup also has an important place in the story of Newry Musical Feis. One of the earliest competition cups associated with the Feis, it was awarded for vocal solos and commemorates Robert Sterritt, who was born in Newry and educated at Newry Model School before working at Bessbrook Spinning Mill, where he became mill manager.
Sterritt was also a gifted musician, achieving an ARCO diploma from the Royal College of Organists in London. He served as organist at Downshire Road Presbyterian Church in Newry and Scarva Street Presbyterian Church in Banbridge. He also conducted the orchestra on one of the Cunard liners. Sadly, he became ill during the voyage and died in Newry on 25 June 1929.
Also on display in Gallery 3 are two tall Waterford Crystal trophies awarded to Newry Musical and Orchestral Society. Founded in 1945, in the aftermath of the Second World War, the society helped enrich local community life through music and performance at a time when public entertainment was limited. The society’s achievements were recognised at the Waterford International Festival of Music, held at the Theatre Royal in Waterford City from 1959 until 2007. The festival attracted leading musical societies from across Ireland and the United Kingdom, and Newry Musical and Orchestral Society won the festival trophy in 1976 and 1979. Together, the trophies offer a compelling reminder of the talent, dedication and cultural pride that have shaped Newry’s artistic life.
All these remarkable trophies can be viewed at the museum, where they stand as enduring symbols of artistic excellence, community spirit and local achievement.
