2019 started off with a bang with 27 of us dancing off those holiday goodies!

Thanks to all who came to our first class on a rainy Tuesday night!

Fun was had by all at our December Ceili and annual Silent Auction Fundraiser.  Around 55 people attended, danced, had fun and did some holiday shopping. We had around 60 auction items and raised around $1,000.  Since Ceili of the Valley Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the money goes towards community Ceili’s, Samhain Celtic New Year festival, and participation in community events. Thanks to all that either donated auction items or made purchases. Go to our webpage: Thank-you for Donations that shows businesses and individuals who donated to our auction.

The below post is what makes the Festival worth all the work!! We hope everyone enjoyed exploring the Celtic nations!

The first thing Caoimhe said this morning after her eyes opened was “it’s the Ceili festival day!”

To say they were excited would be an understatement!

We spent the day celebrating Samhain, the celtic festival! It was so much fun & it makes my heart so incredibly happy to see the girls enjoying such an important part of their culture and my upbringing.

We wrapped the day up with Ceili dancing and dinner out before heading home and crawling into bed.

What a wonderful family day!

Thank you to everyone who worked hard to make today happen!

Experience a day of Celtic culture at the Ceili of the Valley’s third annual Samhain Celtic New Year Festival. Samhain, pronounced “sow-in” (“ow” like in cow), is a Gaelic festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the “darker half” of the year. It is traditionally recognized on November 1 and considered the Celtic New Year.

orcelticfest@gmail.com or visit

Headline Band – Biddy on the Bench

The versatile combination of banjo, guitar, mandolin, tin whistle and four part vocal harmony lends itself equally to high-energy Irish rebel songs and shanties, lively session tunes, and mournful gaelic ballads. Grounded primarily in the folk/traditional style of Irish music pioneered by such bands as “The Dubliners”, “Planxty”, and “The Bothy Band”, Portland’s own “Biddy on the Bench” breathes life and authenticity into old standbys of the genre and lesser-known tunes alike.

Come visit and have fun with us this Summer!

CVS- Out & About

World Beat Festival

June 30^th & July 1st @ Salem Riverfront Park

Attend this great family event and Explore and Celebrate Culture!

Ceili of the Valley will have an exhibit and will be dancing on June 30^th @ 4:15 p.m. on the Stepping Stage in the European Village.      

Come visit us at our exhibit and join in a dance at audience participation time.

 NOTE: If you would like to volunteer at the exhibit Saturday or Sunday, email ceiliofthevalley@gmail.com. Helping at the exhibit includes handing out flyers and greeting people.

Coming Soon – Save the Date

CVS will be in the following events this Summer:

Salem Art Fair & Festival– July 20^th – 22^nd. Come visit us at our exhibit Cultural Community and watch us perform on Saturday, July 21^st @ 4:30 p.m. on the Family Stage.

Art in The Park in Dallas– July 29^th. Our performance is at 11 a.m. at the gazebo in Dallas City Park.

Englewood Festival– August 22^nd @ 11 a.m.

Céilí of the Valley Society  out and about during March and Saint Patrick’s Day spreading cheer to the community!

St. Patrick’s Day Walk-about

At Bookdale Senior Living: 

At Cedar Village: 

Ceili of the Valley had an Irish Ceili Dance class at Pentacle Theatre on January 27, 2018 for patrons before the play, Dancing at Lughnasa, by Brian Friel and directed by Loriann Schmidt. Many thanks to Jordan Mackor for the video and to Pentacle Theatre for an opportunity to partner with them.

Here is the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgGqINQel3o&authuser=0