Primary schools across Fermanagh have been learning céilí dances as part of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Irish Language programme, culminating in more than 250 pupils attending the Céilí Together event held at the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum on Tuesday, November 22.

The primary schools céilí, or Céilí na mBunscoileanna, was a celebration of the hard work of the children from the participating schools who learned a number of Irish céilí dances.

These included ‘The Walls of Limerick’, ‘The Siege of Ennis’, ‘The Waves of Tory’, ‘A Barn Dance’, ‘Shoe the Donkey’, and a line dance, ‘An Dreoilín’.

The participating primary schools were Killyhommon; St. Paul’s, Irvinestown; St. Davog’s, Belleek; St. Mary’s, Killesher; St. Tierney’s, Roslea; St. Patrick’s, Mullanaskea; St. Patrick’s, Derrygonnelly; St. McCartan’s, Aghadrumsee; Bunscoil an Traonaigh, Líos na Scéithe; and St. Mary’s, Tempo.

With live traditional music provided, the toe-tapping, hand-clapping céilí allowed the children to put all their hard work and dance tuition into action while having lots of fun.

The Vice-Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Allan Rainey, attended the céilí and said: “I was pleased to attend the céilí event in Fermanagh Lakeland Forum.

“It was great to see the pupils having the opportunity to showcase the dancing skills they learnt through the Irish Language programme.

“I would like to commend all the pupils who took part; they were excellent, and they all really enjoyed the experience.”

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council delivers and supports a programme of Irish Language activities throughout the district.

For further information on such activities, email gaeilge@fermanaghomagh.com.