It was first organised in Dublin in 1897 by Dr. Annie Patterson and Edward Martyn for the purpose of stimulating musical studies in Ireland and encouraging native performers and composers.
It consisted of competitions for performance and composition and was supported by all musicians of the day, both traditional and classical.
Since those early years, the Feis Ceoil has undergone many changes to accommodate the development of music in Ireland.
Famous competitors over the festival's history include tenor John McCormack, author James Joyce (as a singer), tenor Finbar Wright, broadcaster Seán Óg Ó Ceallacháin, the Irish composers Vincent Kennedy (as a trumpet player) and Robert O'Dwyer, and violinist Cora Venus Lunny.
Performers have included Margaret Burke Sheridan, Suzanne Murphy, Bernadette Greevy, Eithne Robinson, Hugh Tinney, Philip Martin, John O'Conor, John Ronayne, Emma Murphy, Geraldine O'Grady, Ann Murray, Mary Hegarty, Cara O'Sullivan, Celine Byne, Orla Boylan, Finghin Collins, Cora Venus Lunny, Tara Erraught, Joseph Dalton, and Claudia Boyle.