Cathy’s Céilí – Work in Progress Sharing 

A show for children and adults alike, where the audience doesn’t just watch the show… they become it. Cathy is searching for perfection. Every step drilled, every line sharpened, chasing the kind of Irish dancing that wins prizes and turns heads. However, things don’t quite go to plan. A new friend arrives and with them, a different approach. Cathy learns to let go and in doing so, invites the audience to gather with her, together, le chéile. Cathy creates her Céilí, where no one stays a stranger for long. Step by step, laugh by laugh, an audience becomes a community, and a street corner becomes a dance floor. Playful, warm, and rooted in the Irish tradition of gathering people in: showing up is enough, and taking part is the whole point. Traditional music, Gaeilge, singing, physical storytelling, humour and dance carry the show from performance to shared celebration. It ends in collective joy, with the whole room dancing together, laughing together, and making memories through Irish without even noticing.

Who is it for?

• Children aged 5–12 and their adults (aged 18–101 welcome!)
• Enthusiastic teen siblings and pals aged 12–18 are very welcome.

What’s involved?

• Drama, games, singing, dancing and cúpla focal Gaeilge!
• A creative chat afterwards, we want to know what you think
• Photos and video will be taken as part of our artistic documentation and learning process

You’re not just watching a show being made. You’re part of it.

Workshop Facilitators:

Fizz & Chips is an award-winning creative collective of artists making work in English and as Gaeilge across theatre, dance, film and street arts in Ireland and abroad. Founded in 2018, their work includes Dragon (2018), An Lasairéan (2019), Never Mind The Weather (2020-22), the award-winning film Faitíos (2021), and Juno and the Jetpacks (2023-24), which won awards at Colchester and San Diego Fringe Festivals. The collective also creates digital and audio work, workshops, and community events. They have been supported by The Arts Council Ireland, Creative Ireland, Culture Ireland, Kildare County Council, The Riverbank Arts Centre and Roscommon County Council. The workshop facilitators will be dance artist and primary school teacher; Orlaith Ní Chearra, and actor, singer and Youth Theatre Facilitator; Ciara Ryan from Co. Laois. They will be joined by writer and director Cillian O’ Donnachadha from Dublin. The team have over 40 years of experience working with children and young people in the arts sector across Ireland, the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Italy and Australia.

Tickets are Free Booking ESSENTIAL

Suitable for ages 5-12 & their accompanying adult