Ceili Team Dancing

What is Ceili Dance?

Ceili Dance: a ceili (kay-lee) is a traditional Irish gathering for fun, fellowship, and laughs (or craic as the Irish might say). Traditional ceili dances were enjoyed at house parties and corner road gatherings in the rural countrysides. Decades later, they are still danced in Ireland.

The Dennehy School has had a long-standing tradition of team dancing and has a legacy of excellence in team competition. Team dancing has been a way to unite the individual dancers to join as one larger whole. It supports school spirit. It teaches the children about teamwork, dedication, patience, trust and resilience. It teaches them that being part of something can be much more fun than competing alone. At the 2023 North American Irish Nationals, the U13 and U19 4-Hand Ceili teams took 1st Place! 

For those that wish to compete on a ceili team, the teachers will put teams together based on age level and skill. Generally, team tryouts will be held in August before the Fall session begins. Those teams will compete at local feiseanna and Majors, like the Oireachtas. Ceili is a great chance to meet new dance friends and be part of a team. Please keep in mind, any soloist that is planning on competing in a solo competition at a Major must be willing to compete on a team at that Major, if needed. Team dancers will be required to train a minimum of two classes a week starting in September. 

If you have any further questions on ceili dancing please ask one of the teachers.