Successful dance weekend

The recent Connie Ryan Weekend of Set Dancing held in Nenagh was, as usual, magic.

We danced three céilís to fantastic music. On Friday night we stepped it out to Ger Murphy and Ken Cotter. Saturday night we danced to Shandrum and Sunday afternoon we had the mighty Glenside.

The workshops with dancing master Pat Murphy as usual gave us immense joy, as Pat introduced three beautiful new sets and reminded us of two lovely older sets seldom danced.

On Saturday morning’s workshop we danced Pat’s latest creation, Mayflower Set, danced to four reels and a hornpipe. Next up was our chance to dance an older set, the Dunmanway with five figures danced to polkas and slides alternating.

Lunch over and all dancers energised, Pat taught The Kilcoona set, with four figures danced to three reels and a fling. This set was composed by Kevin Monaghan, Setsmad Dancing, and his dancing friends in Basingstoke to celebrate Matt Cunningham’s 60 years playing for set dancing and his huge contribution in the revival and promotion of Irish music and dance worldwide. Next up was another older set, the sweet Ballingeary, danced to five slides.

For our Sunday morning workshop, Pat taught The Rockfield set with four figures danced to two reels a jig and a polka. This set was composed by brothers Colm and Sean Treanor. We had a beautiful selection of sets at the céilís over the weekend. Such joy to get away from too many regular sets. We danced the workshop sets at Saturday and Sunday céilís. I was especially delighted to dance the Sliabh Fraoch set on Sunday afternoon. It was wonderful to catch up with old friends and make new ones where the atmosphere was electric.

Congratulations to the Nenagh dancers on a fantastic well-organised weekend.