Date:
Tuesday 16th March

Event:
St. Patrick’s Festival Céilí

Venue:
St. Stephen’s Green

Time:
4.00pm-7.00pm

Crowds of over 9,000 people danced in the streets at the 2010 Festival Céilí – a contemporary outdoor celebration of traditional Irish dance. They were joined by award-winning musicians and dancers from the four corners of Ireland.

Music came courtesy of Pádraig Ó Sé, Gary O’Brien and friends, and FIDIL, the multiple-award winning Donegal fiddle players (Aidan O’Donnell, Damien McGeehan and Ciaran Ó Maoinigh). The Cunningham family mesmerised the crowds with sean-nós and step-dancing – altogether the best of céilí music and dance. Expert callers lead you through the Siege of Ennis, the Walls of Limerick and plenty more, and there were plenty of spot-prizes too.

Taking place on 16th March, St. Patrick’s Eve, the Festival Céili was an outdoor celebration of all things Irish and was open to all – even those with two left feet!

MC for the afternoon was Dearbhla Lennon. Dearbhlais one of Ireland’s best known dancers, having danced from the tender age of two. Coming from a family steeped in traditional Irish music, song and dance, the whole clan are talented in one or other discipline. Dearbhla’s mum is, in fact, the legendary Irish Dance teacher Móna Ní Rodaigh.

After completing a degree in Journalism & Media Communications, Dearbhla began working in television in 2005, both in front of and behind the camera. Working on shows such as The Afternoon Show, Celebrity Jig’s Reels, Faoi Lán Ceoil, Meon na Mban and An Jig Gig, Dearbhla continues to combine her two great loves, Irish dance and television and has become a familiar face on Irish TV.