Och, aye!” you’re sayin’ to your own self. “What have I gotten myself into here?” You thought you were comin’ down to the quaint kirk to take in a wee concert ... glad tidings, holiday spirit and the like. Instead you find yourself in the middle of a céilidh. ´Tis a céilidh!

What is a céilidh? Pronounced “KAY-ley”, it is the Gaelic word for a social gathering where traditional music, dancing, and storytelling abound. It’s a party, a celebration. In the “old days”, before nightclubs and theme bars, there were céilidhs in community halls on Friday and Saturday nights - social events celebrating local customs and culture. Today céilidhs are seeing a resurgance, still serving as an important and popular social outlet in rural parts of Ireland and Scotland, especially in the Gaelic-speaking west coast regions. And, there are special céilidhs held during busy festival and holiday times, like Christmas.

So sit back and … … Oh … ... No sitting back here. You are a crucial part of the céilidh. Open your voice and join in the singing. Delight in the tales with a hoot and a holler. You may even learn a dance step or two before the night’s out. Right, then. Enjoy the Christmas Céilidh!