Connie Ryan Set Dancing Weekend

All the Christmas celebrations are over so now it's time to think of working off the excesses of the season.

What better way to start than by a weekend of dancing. Club Rince Aonach Urmhumhan are holding their annual Connie Ryan Set Dancing Weekend in the Abbey Court Hotel from January 10 -13.

The weekend is made up of three céilíthe, workshops, as well as a session in the hotel bar. The workshops are taught by Pat Murphy, a talented teacher who also composes new sets as well as reviving some older ones. His workshops are very popular with all of us dancers. He caters for all levels by teaching some simple sets as well as a more complicated one. He also teaches some two-hand dances.

On Friday night, we start off with a céilí, 9pm - 12am, with Ger Murphy and Ken Cotter, one of the best duos on the set dancing scene. They play a fantastic selection of tunes and their tempo is perfect from beginning to end.

On Saturday there are two workshops, 10.30am - 1pm and 2.30pm - 5pm. Different sets are taught at each workshop so you can attend one workshop or both. There will be a Eucharistic Ceremony in the ballroom after the workshops.

There is a session in the hotel bar from 7pm - 9pm to get you in the mood for the céilí so bring along your instruments and join in. The céilí with Shandrum Céilí Band is on 9pm - 12am. They are an extremely talented and lively group that love to play music and it is evident in the joy that comes through the music they play.

On Sunday morning we have our final workshop, 11am - 1pm. The Glenside Céilí Band will bring the weekend to a close with the final céilí, 2.30pm - 5.30pm. They are a joy to dance to and always leave us wishing we could dance some more.

Refreshments are served at the céilíthe. We hope to see all of our dancing friends there and to welcome some new ones for a weekend of fun, friendship and great dancing.

For further information, contact Connie Kennedy, 087 9542163.

Set Dancing classes resume in Nenagh Arts Centre on Tuesday, January 14. Beginners, 7.30pm - 8.30 pm; advanced, 8.30pm - 9.30pm. New members are always welcome.