A group of students at our school expressed interest in learning to practice traditional Irish dancing, and have been taking Irish dance classes with Meara Kirwin since February 2024. The students have demonstrated a keen interest in social group dancing, both learning traditional dances and choreographing their own pieces. They have also started teaching each other and other students in the school the dances they are learning. In May 2024, the school held a ceili, called and facilitated by Pam Kellegher and Meara Kirwin, to great success. It was attended by students and their extended families and friends in the wider community.

From January – March 2025, we plab to build on this momentum, supporting the students’ exploration with funding and resources. Students will meet weekly with a creative facilitator to learn dances as well as their contexts and history.  They will be supported in the choreographic process, and guided in teaching dances and calling ceilis. They will have opportunities to share these skills with the broader school community, leading dancing at school and community events. This journey will be facilitated by Meara Kirwin and other guest teachers. The project will be guided by the students and dance teachers, and overseen by Sligo Sudbury School staff. Funding is required to compensate the dance teachers, host community ceili events and to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.