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CELTIC CEILIDH (THE DANCE)
The Ceilidh (pronounced - kaylee) is a traditional
Gaelic social dance in Ireland and Scotland. Although it is
called a dance, the Ceilidh is really more a social
gathering. Hosts and guests participate in traditional
music, dancing, and storytelling. Oftentimes, a professional
"ceilidh" band is hired for the event.In Gaelic, the
ancient tongue of the seven Celtic nations, it means a
visit. Over the years it has come to mean a house party, a
kitchen party or a concert including music and dance.
Céilidh music is usually traditional and may be provided
by an assortment of fiddle, flute, tin whistle, accordion,
bodhrán, and in more recent times modern instruments have
been added. Céilídh dancing is traditional style dancing
just for fun.
Before discos and nightclubs, there were Céilidhs in most
town and village halls on Friday or Saturday nights; they
are still common today. At a Céilídh anything can happen.
Dances often alternate with songs, poetry recitals, story
telling and other types of “party pieces”. |
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Ceilidh dances tend to be either a partner dance
or a group dance, and they also frequently have callers who
shout out the moves, which makes a Ceilidh ideally suited for
novices. It's a relaxed, fun opportunity to meet and dance with
a lot of people, and find friends old and new.
Historically Ceilidh dances were organized for
singles as a way for couples to meet. Today, the dance has
become more of a family event. The dance has been likened to
American Barn Dancing, although it is said there really
are no "steps", just a lot of energetic walking and spinning.
Recently, the old custom has come back into
favor and Céilídhs are extremely popular all over Ireland,
Scotland and Atlantic Canada. Many young people are enjoying
Ceilidh parties and there has been a surge in the number of
bands who perform the traditional style of music. Additionally,
many caterer's offer Ceilidh themed parties. Wedding parties,
complete with band, have been especially popular because they
are traditional, formal and fun all at the same time.
The name comes from Irish Gaelic céilidhe which
is from Old Irish célide "visit" and céile or céle "companion."
Variants:
céilidh (Scottish, Gaelic
reformed).céilí
(Irish reformed), céilidhe (Irish Gaelic), célide
(Old Irish),
The house on
the pass is filled to the rafters
By a crowd of men and girls
And a man who’s able with breath unfailing
To sing a Fingalian ballad.
Father Alan MacDonald (1859 –
1905), The Land of Youth
