Successful annual set dancing weekend in Nenagh!

Club Rince recently held their 29th annual set-dancing weekend in Nenagh's Abbey Court Hotel.

The weekend was a tremendous success with people from Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, England, and all corners of Ireland, including a large group who travelled from Northern Ireland to join us for some fantastic dancing and great craic.

 

The weekend started with a céilí on Friday night with music provided by Ger Murphy and Ken Cotter. They are one of the best duos around with a wide variety of tunes played at an excellent tempo. A super start to the weekend.

 

On Saturday, Pat Murphy held two workshops, one in the morning and one in the afternoon where he taught us the Lough Allen Set, the Foxhunter Set and the Knockanore Set. Pat has a very easy style and his teaching methods are second to none. It is always a pleasure to attend his workshops and he is one of the most popular teachers among set-dancers, hence the very large crowd that attended the workshops. Mass was held in the ballroom on Saturday evening attended by a large group of dancers. The Morrisseys and friends played the music at the Mass and it added a lovely atmosphere. They also played for the session in the hotel bar, greatly appreciated by all. It is lovely to see such upcoming young talent.

 

This was followed by The Five Counties/Shandrum Céilí Band for our Saturday night céilí. This group of young musicians have such power and drive to their music and it is easy to see why they won the Fleadh for two years in succession. They enjoy playing music and it comes out in every note they play.

 

Sunday morning saw the dancers return for another workshop with Pat where he taught the Arran Set.

 

Sunday afternoon saw us gather for the farewell céilí, with the music provided by The Glenside Céilí Band. The energy they put into their music transfers itself to the dancers and keeps us going with what little energy we have left. It was hard to say which of the three céilíthe had the best music.

 

Great credit must to go to the hotel staff who were so helpful to us and provided any assistance we needed. They received great compliments from those who stayed here for the weekend, the feeling was that they couldn’t do enough to make the guests' stay more comfortable.

 

The general feedback from dancers was that it was an excellent weekend, one of the best and that they would hope to return next year. It is always good to see people returning again and again to an event such as this and to get such local support. It makes all the organising worthwhile when we see everybody going home with smiles on their faces.

 

Set dancing classes continue in The Abbey Court each Tuesday from 8.30pm – 10pm. Do come along and join us.