Kilkenny woman brings first Irish field day to North Carolina!

A group set up in North Carolina, by a Kilkenny woman, is celebrating the success of its first ‘Irish’ Family Field Day.

More than 400 people gathered for Le Chéile’s first Family Field Day on October 26, bringing traditional Irish village festivities to North Carolina.

The event, supported by an Irish Government heritage grant, took place at the Knights of Columbus in Northeast Raleigh.

North Carolina Rose Kathryn Wright opened the celebrations, which featured traditional field games including egg and spoon races, three-legged races, and the ancient Irish sport of Puc Fada.

Singer-songwriter Carroll Brown provided musical entertainment, while performances from Kilpatrick Irish Dance school, Celtic Wolves Irish Dancers and the Claddagh Set Dancers showcased Ireland’s rich dance heritage.

Growing Community
The event highlighted the growing Irish-American community in North Carolina, with local Irish owned businesses and vendors participating alongside attractions including Irish wolfhounds and farm animals from The Pint Sized Pasture.

Sandra Holland, who is originally from Glenmore, founded Le Cheile NC, a non-profit organisation supporting Irish diaspora and promoting Irish heritage and culture, with her friend Elizabeth Guertin from Lisdoonvarna, County Clare

“We’ve successfully recreated the atmosphere of traditional Irish field days while building connections within our local community,” Sandra said of the day out.
“The tremendous turnout demonstrates the vibrant Irish presence in North Carolina.”

Following the event’s success, Le Chéile NC has announced plans to make the Family Field Day an annual tradition.
Le Chéile North Carolina is a community organisation committed to cultivating connections with Ireland through arts, culture, history, language, and heritage.