A chara, - We would like to bring it to the attention of your readers that 1997 will be the centenary of the first ceili, which was held in 1897. While the first formal ceili was held in that year, many of our dances can be traced through several centuries before that.
Initially, Conradh na Gaelige were responsible for organising, many of the ceilithe held throughout Ireland and further afield. Down through the years, groups such as the GAA, Gael Linn, CCE, Glor na nGael, Cumann na bhFiann, Cumann Rinceoiri, Eireann, the Gaelscoileanna, the Colaisti Samhraidh, dancing schools and many others have made and continue to make a worthwhile contribution to the promotion of ceili dancing.
In the 1960s ceili dancing went into decline, a cause of great concern all over Ireland. This in turn led to the formation of the Fior Cheili Clubs which at present, together with other organisations, are the main promoters of ceili dancing. There are now over 100 venues for fior cheilithe. These are mainly in the province of Ulster, but the fior cheili is also alive and well in other counties and in more recent times it has been launched with success in Dublin.
As a nation, we cannot allow our native dancing to become solely an artistic exhibition for the few. The emphasis of the promoters of fior cheilithe in involving as many people as possible in a noncompetitive way has meant that our ceili dancing is increasingly in the possession of all those who wish to participate in it.
Ceili dancing is a part of our culture which is just as important as our language, our music and our national games. Centenary year presents a challenge and an opportunity for all organisations, cultural and otherwise, to play their part in reinstating it in its rightful place in the life of modern Ireland. For this purpose, a meeting will be held in All Hallows College, Gracepark Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 on Sunday December 15th at 2.30 p.m. At this meeting, plans will be drawn up for the centenary year. All individuals and organisations with a commitment to ceili dancing are invited to attend. Further information can be had by contacting 041 53259 or 041-53026. Ni neart go cur le cheile! - Is sinne le meas,
An tAth. Padraig O Fiannachta, Eamon de Bhal, Conradh na Gaeilge, Seamus de Brun, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, Seamus de Faoite, GAA, Brid Donnelly, Peter Donnelly, Ceili Clubs, Eddie Keher, GAA, Brendan Kirk and Sean Leenagh, Ceili Clubs, Dr Michael Loftus, GAA, Gloria McLoughlin, Ceili Clubs, Sean Mac Suibhne, Colaiste an Phiarsaigh, Tom Marry, CCE (Ceili Clubs), Eilis Ni Mhearrai, CCE Ceili Clubs, Padraig O Baoighill, Gearoid O Caircallain, Conradh na Gaeilge, Domhnall O Lubhlai, Clann Lir, Maitiu O Maoilcidigh, Inis Ealga School of Dancing, Labhras O Murchu, C.C.E., Sean O Neill, Tyrone, Padraig O Pairceir, Thomas Smith, Ceili Clubs.