cei·lidh

noun: social event at which there is Scottish or Irish folk music and singing, traditional dancing, and storytelling.

 

On long, dark winter nights it is still the custom in small villages for friends to collect in a house and hold what they call a “ceilidh” (pronounced kay’lee). Young and old are entertained by the reciters of old poems and legendary stories which deal with ancient beliefs, the doings of traditional heroes and heroines, and so on. Some sing old and new songs set to old music or new music composed in the manner of the old.

 

It bears mention that ceilidhs are common throughout Nova Scotia. The tradition and the spirit of these gatherings are carried on in most small communities of these maritime provinces.

I’ve always been an ‘old soul’.

Not sure if it’s an ‘oldest’ child trait or maybe I simply spent too much time ‘round my grandparents as a child (miss those times).  BUT…seat me at a table on a cruise & I’ll saddle next to Esther, whose deaf mother endured the Holocaust.  (No joke – years later, we still exchange Chanukah/Christmas cards.)

Black-n-white flics, 1930’s blues singers & museums (ya’ll know I can find one in every town).

Tonite Lynne would be hosting a Nova Scotian Cèilidh for her American cousins.  What a treat!  ‘Cèilidh’ or ‘Kitchen Party’?  (Heard both terms being used.)  Per our hostess: Cèilidhs must include both guitar & a fiddle.  In luck tonite – we’ve got both 🙂

No musicians in my family, picked this up [this love] later in life.  Remember being invited to Harding & Donna’s home in northern New Hampshire.  Upright piano, spoons, washboard, harmonica, surrounded by Trudy & the Pioneers.  Really good memories ❤

Add games, sandwiches & 2 fast-talkin’ monologues – & you’ve got a Cèilidh.  Super FUN evening!

Nova Scotian Cèilidh