Edel tinkers on the the tin whistle, Cailín flourishes on the flute, and Liam blazes on the banjo.
This St Patrick's Day, Comhaltas is making sure everyone has a way to celebrate with two exciting Irish dance events.
The organisation Comhaltas – which promotes Irish culture in Luxembourg – is organising two céilís for St Patrick's Day. What exactly is a céilí?
A céilí is a traditional Irish social dance event. It's a lively and inclusive experience where dancers of all skill levels are encouraged to join in. A 'caller' guides participants through the steps so participants can focus on the fun while celebrating Irish culture. So no, it doesn't matter if you can actually dance or not.
15 March events
This year, the two St. Patrick's Day Céilís take place on Saturday, March 15:
- Children’s Céilí: 2pm - 3:30pm
- Adult Céilí Mór: Doors open at 7:30pm, dancing from 8pm - 10pm, with live musicians providing the soundtrack to the evening.
At these events, you'll get to learn and dance traditional Irish steps such as the Walls of Limerick, Siege of Venice, Bonfire dances, Shoe the Donkey, and the Polkas. Comfortable shoes and light clothing are recommended!
To make sure you are fully prepared for the day's activities, Melissa from the Melissa Dalton Show invited three céilí musicians to play some jigs live on air. Watch as Edel tinkers on the the tin whistle, Cailín flourishes on the flute, and Liam blazes on the banjo.
Listen to their performances and interview here.
About Comhaltas
These events have all been organised by Comhaltas, an international organisation founded in 1982 to promote Irish culture and language through music, dancing, and singing.
Dorothee Waldeck from Comhaltas stopped by to talk to Melissa all about what is taking place this weekend. While she is originally from Germany, Waldeck has been involved in the organisation for the last 6 years and is passionate about making Irish traditions accessible.
Edel tinkers on the the tin whistle, Cailín flourishes on the flute, and Liam blazes on the banjo.
Listen to the interview with Dorothee Waldeck and Melissa here!
Love the idea of the St. Patrick's Day Céili but can't make it this weekend? Comhaltas offers many different events like their regular Irish dancing classes every week at Top Squash in Sandweiler. There are children and adult classes. It's not only a fun physical activity, but a great chance to get involved in a vibrant community made up of many different nationalities outside of school or work. The season strts in September 2025, and all levels are accepted.
There are also live music, singing, and dancing sessions at Black Stuff and George & Dragon on a regular basis. Check out their website and social media pages for more information.
Upcoming Events
- Summer Céilí (June): A joyful end-of-season celebration
- Summer School (July/August): A special program for children featuring drama, singing, and dancing. Last year, the children created a performance based on the legend of the Children of Lir.
To listen to more of The Melissa Dalton Show, as well as other interviews by Today Radio check out RTL Play.
Whether you're dancing, playing music, or simply watching with a pint in hand, a céilí is all about coming together and enjoying the moment. However you choose to celebrate, we hope you have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day.
