The ceilidh is the traditional Celtic dance. Although far less common than they used to be, ceilidhs can still be found in many towns in Scotland and Ireland. In the days before modern discos and night clubs, you could find a ceilidh in just about every town and village north of the border. These were events where young people traditionally went to find potential marriage partners. In many rural communities, these events were the highlight of the social calendar.
Music has always played a central role in the traditional ceilidh. The lively dance music which creates the atmosphere of the ceilidh is based around the fiddle. Accompaniment often came from an accordion, with embellishments provided by whistles and flutes. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to hear the sound filled out by modern electric guitars and percussion. At some of the ceilidhs organised by modern day universities, disco music is mixed in with the more traditional sounds of the ceilidh.
Dancing at a ceilidh takes many different forms. Many of these dances involve the changing of partners throughout the dance, as befits an occasion for the purpose of allowing young, unattached people to meet. These dances often involve pairs of couples facing each other, with each person performing steps before changing position. Some ceilidhs even have dances set aside for more accomplished dancers to show off their skills.
The ceilidh has a vitally important position in the history of Gaelic countries, as it was traditionally the place where young people would meet and form relationships. Many of these ceilidhs were seen to have such great importance that formal national dress was required. In Ireland some of the dances and steps are named after events from the country's history.
The modern ceilidhs retain much of the traditional format, but many new features have been added. Although there are still formal occasions where national dress is part of the conditions of entry, there are many more events run on a more casual basis. Many modern ceilidhs are run by organizations with large numbers of young people, such as universities, sports clubs, or clubs and bars. Ceilidhs are not exclusively for the young, however, and many are organised especially for older people, especially with rising divorce rates meaning a greater need for these kind of events. The ceilidh has also been exported to other countries, by Scottish and Irish immigrants. Anywhere there is a large concentration of people of Gaelic origin, there is a good chance that you will find ceilidhs being organized. This is one tradition that shows no sign of dying out.