ceilidh

entertainment

Also known as: caley

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

Quick Summary

A ceilidh is a traditional social gathering in Scotland and Ireland that features music, dancing, and storytelling. The word itself comes from the Old Irish term for "visit".1

While once common throughout the country, ceilidhs are now primarily a rural institution. They are a lively form of entertainment, often compared to a jam session or hootenanny. These gatherings are a significant part of Scottish cultural life, alongside traditions like Highland games and Burns suppers.23

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Scotland
Daily life and social customs
…traditional local custom is the ceilidh (visit), a social occasion that includes music and storytelling. Once common throughout the country, the ceilidh is now a largely rural institution. Sports such as tossing the caber (a heavy pole) and the hammer throw are integral to the Highland games, a spectacle that…
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…traditional local custom is the ceilidh (visit), a social occasion that includes music and storytelling. Once common throughout the country, the ceilidh is now a largely rural institution. Sports such as tossing the caber (a heavy pole) and the hammer throw are integral to the Highland games, a spectacle that…
Read More