Ceili (kay-lee, meaning party) and set dancing are two forms of Irish social dancing. They are very much like Irish square dances or like Contra dancing, except with more complex footwork: there are a few basic steps in ceili dancing, and each dance combines these steps in different ways with a caller and Irish music. This is the sort of dancing you may have seen in the movie The Titanic. Many dances involve a partner, or are in groups of three or four. Some dances are in a large circle, some in lines with couples facing, some in groups of three or four. Set dancing is almost always done in "sets" of four couples in a square.
I-Boy dancing the night away.
Chick-a-Dee was even asked to dance!
As a part of the Ceili, there was a May Pole Dance! Here is a brief explanation of the customs of May Day, which really isn't celebrated much anymore.
In some parts of theUnited States, May Baskets are made. These baskets are small and usually filled with flowers or treats and left at someone's doorstep. The basket giver would ring the bell and run away. The person receiving the basket would try to catch the fleeing giver. If they caught the person, a kiss was to be exchanged. May Day may be best known for its tradition of dancing the Maypole.
This is a video of when the May Pole was nearly done. It got crowded enough that the men had to step out and let just the ladies finish it up!
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