This page shows a partial history of past Irish dancing events in the Dallas, Texas area.
"Awesome" is the word most often heard to describe the mid-season party céilí. We danced at the Plaza Arts Center in old downtown Carrollton to Irish music played by 11, count 'em, 11 musicians! The room was decorated prettily for Christmas, making the evening even more festive. We danced some two-hands, the Siege of Carrick, Waves of Tory, some figure from the Sliabh Luachra set, and we ended with the Maggie in the Woods figure with a great big Christmas. Check out the pictures and video!
Maldon Meehan & Ronan Regan taught a great workshop on Thursday, October 19th on the Connemara Set (a lively and quite popular set) and steps that go with it.
This was a fantastic opportunity to learn a fun dance from two talented instructors, check out the pictures from the workshop.
The 24th annual North Texas Irish Festival
is over now but was great fun. Saturday was full of dancing with
two dance workshops and the evening ceili (not to mention the schools
performing throughout the day). For some additional pictures
just click on the stage.
(Click the photo
to see the rest of the impromptu band.)

Here's a video of some of the dancing.

The IAS held a céilí Sunday the 16th at the Tipperary Inn
from 2:30 - 6:00pm. The cost was $5, benefiting the Irish American Society. Sharon O'Rourke
taught basic steps and called the dances. Thanks Sharon!
For lovers of Irish music and dance this was great craic. The O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat instructors took turns playing, a little rain notwithstanding, and master fiddler Seamus Connolly capped the show with his amazing playing and delightful wit. Spectators reclined on the lawn to soak in the tunes and just a few raindrops.
Here is a photo of Mr. Connolly playing his final tune. Click it to view a video of same, but be warned -- the file is over 7Mb.
The visual is grainy because it was pretty dark, but you can hear his lively playing just fine.
After the concert, some folks went off to play in more sessions while those of us who can't resist dance enjoyed the cozy lodge and fine music from by the Trinity Hall Session Players while we danced the Seige of Ennis, the Bonfire Dance and more. We might have danced all night but for a noisy thunderstorm and threats of hail at 11:00. It was loads of fun, and everybody is looking forward to next year's retreat.
A dancing opportunity in Galway, Ireland. Details right here.
The workshops were fantastic. This event ran from Thursday, August 5 to Saturday, August 7. Click here for details and a few photos.
Catherine Sherer will be in town calling a céilí at the Unity of Richardson church from 7pm to 10pm. While recorded music is currently planned, any musicians who want to come and play are quite welcome. If you haven't been to one of Catherine's céilithe you should come out and let your feet experience it. The last time she was in town, she kept the floor going for six hours. We only get three this round but I'm certain it'll be a fun time.
It will be $10/person at the door and the address is:
2701 Custer Parkway
Suite 702 (Custer@Lookout)
Richardson, TX 75080
972-437-361
http://www.unityofrichardson.com
The contact at the church for this céilí is Sandy Hanne and she can be reached at 469-438-8634
Odessa College Campus
201 West University
Odessa Texas 79764
Hours of Operation
Friday April 16th, 2004 - 5:00 - 10:30 PM
Saturday April 17th, 2004 - 9:00 AM - Midnight
Sunday April 18th, 2004 - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Downtown Kilgore, Texas
Saturday April 17, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday April 18, 12:30 pm - 6:00 pm
What a céilí it was!
On Saturday Feb 21st from noon to 6:00pm in the party room at the Prairie House Restaurant there was a wonderful céilí called by Catherine Sherer with music played by members of Beyond the Pale and several other fine area musicians.
Can you imagine six hours of nearly non-stop dancing? Maybe this page will help.
It was a wonderful event and we can't wait for the next big céilí.
Emily Bryant, fiddler Michelle Feldman, fiddler Mimi Rogers, flute/whistle
player Janice Deane, and Craig Scotland on bodhran have recently joined to form
the group GALLUS.
Their first gig was January 22nd at McHenry's in Fort Worth
from 8 until the cows come home. They played almost all dance tunes and
were happy to have dancers out doing steps and figures.
MacHenry's gets top marks for dancer friendliness. They graciously moved aside tables and were quite enthusiastic and welcoming of the dancing. Hooray for MacHenry's!
MacHenry's
7618 Camp Bowie West
Fort Worth, Texas
817-377-0202
http://www.machenrysupstairs.com
It was the first session at the "Harrison Studio" with Carl, LaTrisha, Eva, Michael and Susan. We did an hour of Step and Sean Nos dancing followed by an hour of Céilí dances.

The Celtic Store, our former dancing home, closed at the end of 2003. It was a lovely store and a happy gathering place for a variety of Celtic groups, and it is certainly missed. We wish the best of luck to Rick Sainz in his adventures touring the country.
The Irish Dance Club continues to meet at "the Harrison Studio" in far north Plano until another home can be found. If you have suggestions for another dancing location, perhaps in the Carrollton area, please drop us an e-mail.
The Celtic Store had their annual Christmas Céilí. There were several hours of dancing, singing, story telling and conversation.


The following images link directly to mpeg movies.

Some (sorry, the names escape me) Scottish dances.

Susan and LaTrisha kick up their heels with some Sean Nos dancing.
This Saturday was another good one. Unfortunately we were missing Carl and Latricia but a few new people showed up and we had enough for some six-hands.


The Saturday time worked out well. We had eight and danced the 8-Hand Reel! We also found time to play "catch the red dot" with the cats.
Sunday was not the best day for everyone, so we're moving to Saturdays. We did enjoy watching the snow outside while we danced, and Teagle had a grand time chasing the laser dot on the floor.
Dancing as usual, last time on Thursday night.
The owners of the Celtic Store hosted their traditional holiday céilí in the afternoon of December 8. There was Scottish and Irish dancing, gaelic singing, and yummy treats.
| when: | every Thursday, 7:00pm - 9:00pm |
| what: | basics 7:00 - 8:00pm |
| where: | The Celtic Store |
| music: | recorded but very danceable |
| cost: |
$5 per person per class or $15 per person per month $7 per couple per class or $20 per couple per month |
| when: | every Tuesday, 7:00pm - 9:00pm |
| what: | steps 7:00 - 8:00pm, céilí or set 8:00 - 9:00pm |
| where: | The Celtic Store |
| music: | recorded but very danceable |
| cost: |
$5 per person per class or $15 per person per month $7 per couple per class or $20 per couple per month |
These musicians love playing for dancers and want to encourage everyone to come out.
| when: | Friday, August 23rd 9:30 pm - 1:00am |
| what: | Dance because you feel like it! |
| where: |
The Tipperary Inn Restaurant and Pub 5815 Live Oak, Dallas TX 75214 214-823-7167 |
| music: |
Cluan A band from Austin. Plays traditional Irish music and song |
| cost: | Admission is free! |
when: Saturday, August 24th, 2-11pm what: SCMA sponsored Céilí & Concert Farewell Benefit where: Tipperary Inn Restaurant and Pub music: Live! cost: by donation ($5 minimum suggested) more information...
Last updated: February 28, 2008