New Rochelle Aeríocht Brings Traditional Irish Music, Dancing, Culture to Spectator’s Bar and Grill

Written By: Robert Cox

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (October 13, 2022) — The New Rochelle Aeríocht, a celebration of Irish music, dance, and culture, will take place this Friday, October 14 in downtown New Rochelle starting at 7 pm.

Why it matters: there are two kinds of people in the world, the Irish and those who wish they were.

The New Rochelle Aeríocht began in 1948 and was re-established in 2019 with a certain Fenian tinge, celebrating the Irish rebels who fought in the wars of 1919 to 1921.

New Rochelle Aeriocht Saturday October 15, 2022 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Spectator’s Bar and Grill in New Rochelle, NY

There will be Irish music, Irish dancing and a special performance from the combined bands of the Iona College Pipe Band and the Pelham Regional Pipe Band.

  • $10 cover charge
  • online tickets: aeriocht.eventbrite.com

What is Aeríocht?

Aeríochti were held in Ireland in the outdoors under the auspices of the Gaelic League from the early 1900s onwards until the 1970s, They were the same content and format as today’s Feis, a traditional Gaelic arts and culture festival, commonly used referring to Irish dance competitions.

The Gaelic League was founded in 1893 with the aim of restoring the Irish language; running Irish language classes all around the country and teaching native speakers in Gaeltacht areas how to read and write in their own language.

“Three girls dancing at Aeriocht 1974,” Tipperary Archive (Fr Kennedy)
“Three girls dancing at Aeriocht 1974,” Tipperary Archive (Fr Kennedy)

A feature of the Gaelic League movement in the early 1900’s was the holding of open air concerts or aeríochtai (many were proclaimed during the War of Independence 1920 – 1921) when Irish dancing, singing and instrumental music were performed in a field on a wooden platform.

Funds raised went towards the running of the local branch of the Gaelic League. A football or hurling match was usually held in the field as part of the program.

The concerts did a lot for the promotion of Irish music, songs and dancing. The Feis was later established.

Irish dancing exploded in popularity in the mid-1990s when what became the Riverdance theatrical show originated as an interval act during the Eurovision Song Contest 1994, featuring Irish dancing champions including Michael Flatley.

Iona College Irish Dance Team Places First In Villanova Intercollegiate Irish Dance Festival

Caitlin Ward (Iona ’22) Ranked as a Top 10 National Dancer

Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha is the organization which runs Irish dancing worldwide. The CLRG is currently embroiled in a huge cheating scandal.

Irish dancing scandal: former judge hands in his report on allegations of feis fixing

The Irish Women’s Soccer team has landed in hot water for singing a song in their locker room immediately after defeating Scotland to secure a spot in the World Cup.

UEFA investigating Ireland players over pro-IRA chant

Here is the team chanting:

Here is the songwriter defending the song: