CultureJuly 26, 2026

ceili

KAY-lee

Definition

A traditional Irish social gathering or party featuring folk music, singing, and dancing.

Etymology

Derived from the Irish word 'céilí', originally meaning a visit or social meeting. It comes from the Old Irish 'céile', meaning companion or fellow.

In the news

In the article, the term refers to both the specific dance-focused events organized by the festival and the social spirit surrounding traditional performance. It is used to highlight the inclusive, community-building nature of the music.

Belfast Tradfest: Traditional Irish music and dance 'belong to everybody'

Read the full article ↗

BBC

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