What is ceilidh?

Although discos and nightclubs have displaced Ceilidhs to a considerable extent, they are still an important and popular social outlet in rural parts of Ireland and Scotland, especially in the Gaelic-speaking west coast regions - and now people right across the UK are getting in on the act!

Ceilidhs are sometimes held on a small scale in private or public houses, for example in remote rural hinterlands and during busy festivals. It is common for some clubs and institutions such as sports clubs, schools and universities and even employers to arrange Ceilidhs on a regular or at least annual basis. The formality of these can vary - some mix modern pop music with a Scottish country dancing band and dress codes range from compulsory highland dress to informal. Knowledge and use of the basic dance steps is not always strictly necessary, and dances often alternate with songs, poetry recitals, story telling and other types of 'party piece'.