Marilyn Moore teaches a Conhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann-sponsored set and ceili dance class on Saturdays at Green Acres Center, Fairfax. Set and ceili dances are similar to American square dancing and are also known as Irish country or social dancing. Moore described set dancing as “a dance style that usually is in squares of eight and ceili as a dance style of constant motion.”
Moore does not have a ceili certification, the qualification needed to teach people who want to dance competitively. “So the people I teach just want to have a good time,” Moore said.
Moore has been teaching Irish dance for about 20 years. “I just sort of fell into teaching," she said. "I liked dance and people said you’re a good dancer, why don’t you teach?”
Moore described her class as a more fun version of an aerobics class and said that, unlike other dance forms, students can come by themselves.

IN THE EIGHT-WEEK session, Moore normally introduces a two- or three-hand dance, one set dance and bases the rest of the session on student requests.
“A waltz is considered a two-hand dance because it requires two people and an example of a three-hand dance would be one with a man in the middle and two ladies on either side,” Moore said.
The word ceili has multiple meanings, one of which is “party, get-together, dance.” At the class, Moore reviewed the Sliabh Luachra set with her class, in preparation for the ceili that will take place later that evening in the same building. The Sliabh Luachra, like most sets, is named after a geographical area, in this case the West Cork and East Kerry areas of Ireland.
Although Moore’s class is for ages 8 and up, Liam Murphy, 9, of Oakton, who came with his parents Angela and Shaun Murphy, was the only child present. Moore said she would like to see a broader range of ages in her class, particularly teens.
Liam has been dancing about four or five years. “It’s a fun thing to do,” he said. The adult Murphys agreed, adding that ceilis are good social events and family-oriented.
Since no long-standing physical training is necessary and one of the partners is usually knowledgeable about how to get through the set, ceili and set dancing offer the ability for students to pick up where they left off.
The Murphys dropped out for about five years after the birth of their son, and Donna Hickling of Falls Church, who became "obsessed with anything Irish" after a trip to Ireland," danced for 14 years, but dropped out for six.

HUGH CONWAY teaches the Tuesday evening set and ceili dance class at Green Acres, sponsored by City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation. Conway has been Irish dancing since 1996, but feels he has only been doing it seriously for eight years.
“What I mean by ‘seriously’ is teaching and going to a lot of classes to improve my skills,” Conway said. Conway grew up watching his parents Irish dance at weddings, family get-togethers and other social functions.
Conway not only loves Irish dancing, he loves the music. “You cannot beat Irish music for dancing," he said. "When they play you cannot sit still, some part of your body is moving."
“I started teaching because I wanted another opportunity to dance during the week and I saw a hole I wanted to fill,” he said. To prepare himself, he attended classes, read books and listened to instructional tapes. Conway points out that Irish social dancing is not only good physical exercise but mental exercise as well.
“It stimulates the mind … you have to remember movements and coordinate with your partner,” said Conway.
The age requirement for his class is 13 and up. Both Moore and Conway welcome walk-ins.
Conhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (CCE) is a world-wide organization that promotes traditional Irish music, dance and language. The O’Neill-Malcom, Metro D.C. branch sponsors dance and music classes, sessions, social dances, play readings and many other activities. Branches are located in Japan, Russia, Italy and Argentina. For local branch information see www