Everything you wanted to know about Ceilidhs and Barn Dances but were afraid to ask!

Do you remember country dancing lessons when you were at school? Well, this is what Ceilidh dancing is. You will notice a few changes since you were in school uniform: the social setting, the atmosphere, copious amounts of alcohol, an excellent band, and no threat of detention if you get the moves wrong!

Ceilidhs and Barn Dances are essentially the same event: a group of people dancing set dances to traditional music. Their development runs parallel to that of traditional (folk) music, and the dances and the music are inescapably intertwined. Modern Ceilidhs are often danced to a mixture of traditional and more recently composed tunes.

Fast Parts consists of anything from two to five members (including Jon, our caller), and the instruments we use include violins, melodeon (squeeze box), flute, guitar, bodhran, piano, and harmonica. We play music from all over Europe and beyond: Irish, English, Welsh, Scottish, Scandinavian, Breton, French, Italian and much, much more. Two of the band members are keen dancers themselves and so our music is designed specifically with the dances in mind.

Dancing experience is not necessary, as our resident caller will talk you through each dance beforehand. You will all walk the dance without music once or twice (or until you get the hang of it) and then the Band will play while you strip the willow and do-si-do. You don't even have to have a good memory, as the caller will be constantly reminding you of the moves.

All age groups can enjoy Ceilidh dancing, as you can take it at entirely your own pace. It is not uncommon to see children as young as five dancing in the same set as their great-grandparents. Stately or fast and furious, everyone can join in and have a great time.

No. Line dancing is a recent invention from the other side of the Atlantic, and has nothing to do with Ceilidh dancing. Line Dancing is mainly concerned with precise stepping movements, whereas Ceilidh dancing involves seeing how fast you can gallop up to the end of the room and still get back in time for the strip the willow. Also, Line dancing is solitary (no partners and definitely no touching.) Ceilidhs give lots of opportunities for more 'friendly' contact, (although you always have the option of keeping your partner at arm's length).