Set dancing weekend was ‘strictly about enjoyment’
Anne Mooney, Pat O'Brien, Catherine Horgan, Ambrose Donnelly, Maura Martin, and Brendan and Patricia Whelan at the event Photo: Michael O'Rourke
THEY came from the four corners of Ireland to dance their socks off for the whole weekend!
Dancers were light on their feet and happy in their hearts as they took part in the Follow Me Up to Carlow set dancing weekend in the Seven Oaks Hotel. The three-day event, which was part of the bilingual Féile an Fomhair festival attracted some of the best traditional dancers in the country.
“The very best dancers came to take part in it; they came from all corners of the country. I’d say that in total, about 500 people took part. It wasn’t a competition, the dancing was strictly about enjoyment and being sociable,” said Bríde de Róiste.
The weekend wasn’t just for the experts, though, as there were workshops for beginners or those who wanted to learn new moves.
The weekend was just the beginning of a programme of events for Féile an Fomhair.
A very special event on the festival line-up is a concert, ‘Choirs for Gaza – Ceol na gCór’, when multiple choirs will perform songs, hymns and psalms as Gaeilge.
The concert will take place in St Clare’s Church, Graiguecullen on Thursday 2 October at 7.30pm and is being organised as a token of solidarity with the people of Palestine. Donations will be accepted on the night, with all proceeds going towards the relief of hunger and suffering in Gaza.
The ever-popular autumn art competition for primary schools will run throughout the festival when pupils in first to sixth classes are invited to create a painting or artwork on the theme of An Fómhar and prizes will be awarded to the best efforts in each class category.
The second weekend of Féile an Fhómhair will focus on the great outdoors with a total of 16 walks organised by Carlow Tourism. For further information go to https://carlowtourism.com/event/feile-an-fhomhair-2025.
