Harriet Island - August 10-12
Free Admission!
Dance
Since the introduction of Riverdance about a decade ago, interest in Irish dance has exploded. At least 10 Irish dance schools now teach nearly 1000 kids and adults jigs, reels, hornpipes and much more. At least five adults groups are regularly performing throughout the state.
At the Irish Fair, we like to showcase all these schools, groups and dancers. From wee ones learning their first steps to accomplished dancers who compete internationally to intricate set dances, you can see performances throughout the festival on the Dance stage. Kick up your own heels a little later in the evening when, reminiscent of Irish crossroad dances, a ceili or set dance begins.
Social Dance
The Dubliner Pub Dance Floor at the Crossroads Tent will be open for craic (fun, good times) again this year. Classes will be taught in both set and ceili dancing, the two most popular forms of Irish social dancing, culminating with a dance each evening. Classes are designed to accommodate everyone, from experienced dancers to those who are trying it for the first time, and will run throughout the day, each day of the Fair. Check out the social dance schedule in the Crossroads Tent for opportunities to join a group lesson, or to attend an evening ceili or set dance.
In addition to showcasing many of our local social dancing teachers (several of whom teach free classes throughout the year), we are fortunate to have two special guest teachers from Ireland with us this year. Máirtín de Cógáin, of Co. Cork, the lead singer and bodhran player for The Fuchsia Band, is a two-time all-Ireland storytelling champion, and recently appeared in the award-winning film “The Wind that Shakes the Barley” – it would be fair to describe his personality as “irrepressible”, and his class promises to be great craic from start to finish. Patrick O’Dea hails from West Clare, Ireland, and currently lives in Co. Roscommon. One of the most sought-after teachers of Irish set dancing, he has been teaching worldwide for 16 years. Patrick’s knowledge and superb teaching ability make him an ideal teacher for students of all experience levels, and he teaches with an enthusiastic and entertaining style that makes his classes a delight to all.