Article from Wales about The Gathering in Killarney

This wonderful article from Wales about The Gathering in Killarney captures the spirit and fun that those who are fortunate enough to attend The Gathering, in Killarney, in February, enjoy.

Galway Priest leads the way with Set dancing

A Galway Priest, Father Martin Glynn is using Irish Set Dancing as a means to bring people together

Stomp-de-dump stomp-de-dump stomp-de-dump stomp!

I need words when I'm learning a new dance. These are the words I've made up to help me master "the gallop" in Sean-Nós Dancing, a solo form of Irish step dancing. Frank and I and a whole bunch of others have just started lessons with Kieran Jordan, who's teaching a beginner class at the Dance Complex in Cambridge (MA).

Kieran has made this form of Irish dancing popular in the Boston area, as evidenced by the thirty or so dancers who show up for class each week and struggle to make their feet tap out a rhythm in time to a slow reel with some semblance or order. As this is a "free-style" type of dance, there is really no *wrong* way to do it, within some guidelines like "keep your feet low to the ground" and "stay in time with the music," made all the more difficult by trying to remember to stomp first or struggling to switch from leadnig with the right foot to leading with the left. Ah, but wait 'til you see us in a couple of months! Hopefully, the stage-fright jitters will have worn down, as Kieran has us dance a solo before the group at each class. Here's what Sean-Nós dancing looks like as seen at the 2008 ICONS Festival in Canton (MA).

Just a note about how this relates to set dancing: there's a "Clare step" done in Sean-Nós dancing that is often used in the "lead-around" in set dancing. It's a fancy bit of footwork, but I'm still working on the words to it.

Cops reveal Irish dance instructor's disturbing secret

I found an interesting article in a Minneapolis Minnesota newspaper that tells the story of a long time set dance teacher, his ability to "navigate" women around the floor, and his eventual dustup with the local police. Hope you enjoy!

http://www.startribune.com/local/30073039.html?elr=

Travel to The Gathering in Killarney

If you're thinking of traveling from the States to The Gathering (the festival website - view 2008 festival information until the website is updated for 2009) in Killarney (Ireland) in February, NOW is the time to book your flight.

Take advantage of Aer Lingus' $199 each way fares from Boston and other US cities by September 19th, 2008. The festival consists of five days of concerts, ceilis, sessions, set-dance and instrument workshops at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, Ireland. To take advantage of all the festival offerings, book your flight to arrive by Wednesday for an evening session and stay through Sunday night (18th - 22nd).

To download a flyer on The Gathering and find more info, go to Irish Thymes.

West Clare Dance Masters Celebrated

The contribution to Irish dance and music of two of Ireland’s most celebrated Dance Masters, the late Dan Furey (1909-1993) and James Keane (1918-2000), is celebrated each September with the Dan Furey Weekend in County Clare, Ireland. They are credited with being the saviors of the traditional dances of the Labasheeda area and for establishing dance schools throughout West Clare* in the West of Ireland. Read more on "Remembering Ireland's Dance Masters." [Photo courtesy of DiscoverIreland.com]

*"Holiday Haunts on the West Coast of Clare" by H B H is a travel guide to the resorts of Clare, published in 1891; it is published by the Clare Library and is a fascinating look into the resorts of the past in this area of Ireland. Find more online publications of the Clare Library here.

A hidden jewel in the West of Ireland

If you were expecting a travel blog, this is not the place. Instead this is about a are radio station, that through it's programming, keeps the tradition alive. The station is Clare FM, based in Ennis, County Clare. Each weeknight they have a two hour show focusing on Traditional Irish Music. Each night there is a different host, each with his/her own style and personality.

For Set Dancers traveling to Ireland, they announce locations,festivals and classes that will occur throughout County Clare.

Last fall, Clare FM did an eight week series, "The Kitchen Sessions", that originated in homes and pubs throughout County Clare.

Paula Carroll did an incredible job in bringing the flavor of a rural home seisun to a worldwide audience.

From the kitchen of Pat & Peggy O'Reilly, Rath, Corofin

Each show featured live music performed by local musicians, set dancing, interviews with the host and hostess, as well as some of the musicians andset dancers.

Clare FM has kept all 8 Kitchen Sessions on line for everyone to enjoy.

My favorite was the Session 7 held at Chris Droney's house in Belle Harbor. Chris is one of the all time great Concertina players and usually plays with the Four Courts Ceili Band.

His whole multi-generational family participated.

Cillian, David and James Droney play with their grandfather Chris

They were able to convince Chris to do a few steps.

(My goal in life is to be able to dance like Chris when I too am

in my Mid 80's)

There were Set Dancers and Sean Nos dancers who added a distinct comfort feeling to the show. Aidan Vaughn, Four Courts Drummer, and a frequent visitor to Boston, and Gussie McMahon, did a Sean Nos duet.

(Keiran Jordan is producing a video based on Aidan's Sean Nos dancing.)

I was fortunate to have met Gussie when I stayed at his Bed and Breakfast in Doolin the last time I was in Ireland.

Chris's brother John runs Set Dancing classes in Glastonbury CT and is a good friend of my aunt.

During the show they had a few call-ins from the Droney clan in Simsbury CT, giving the show an international audience.

If you enjoy great Traditional Music and want to know where to Set Dance in County Clare, Clare FM is the perfect choice.

For those technology buffs, they leave each show on the web for a week.

You can either listen or download to your IPOD.

Pictures provided from the Clare FM website