In 2023, Healthy Galway City (HGC) partnered with the Galway City Partnership Community Development Team on the 'Cupán Ceoil Tea Dances'. 

In 2024, HGC and GCP are partnering once more to promote positive mental and physical health for older adults living in Galway City.  The ‘Social Steps Dancing’ project will take place in three locations throughout the city: Westside, Ballinfoile and Ballybane.  These locations are selected specifically for their higher proportion of people aged 65 years+, people experiencing social isolation and levels of economic disadvantage as per the 2022 Pobal Deprivation Index. 

The ’Social Steps Dancing’ will consist of three 6-week series of dance workshops (18 workshops in total).  Classes will cover social dancing favourites, such as line-dancing, jiving and waltzing.  Workshops will be suitable for beginners and more experienced dancers, to encourage inclusion and peer support between participants.  Dance is proven to be an enjoyable and effective way to stay fit for people of all ages; benefits include improved heart and lung functioning, increased muscular strength, improved co-ordination, flexibility and overall fitness.  Dance is also associated with enhanced mental functioning, improved wellbeing and greater self-confidence and self-esteem. 

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