Marie & Matthew's Irish Set Dancing

15/12/2025

The final week of dancing for 2025 is here!!
Tonight (Monday 15/12), dancing at the Kensington Town Hall supper room is preceded by a group dinner (at own cost) at Aunty Annie's (formerly The Quiet Man) from 6pm, then dancing to begin at 8pm. $10.

Tomorrow (Tuesday 16/12), the Celtic Club Melbourne Dance night with LIVE MUSIC supplied by the Celtic Club 7:30-9:30pm.
Bookings and details https://www.celticclub.com.au/whats-on

Then Wednesday is the Comhaltas Melbourne Christmas Party. Doors open 7pm, dinner at 7:30. All details and booking form can be found at https://melbournecomhaltas.org.au/

For those that haven't caught the news, Marie has announced her semi-retirement from teaching and organising many many dance events in and around Melbourne. Don't worry though, you'll still see Marie on the dance floor as a few of us younger dancers step up under Marie's guidance.

We would like to thank everyone for a great year of dancing and will see you back in 2026.

Merry Christmas
Keep Dancing 🕺 💃

Learn more about the events and weekly specials happening at the Celtic Club.

21/10/2025

It's already been a busy month of dancing with the set dance weekend in Canberra and then a workshop afternoon with Comhaltas Melbourne, but we're not done yet!

Tonight (21/10) dancing with Matt at The Celtic Club Melbourne 7:30-9:00pm.

Wednesday, dancing as always at the Djeering Centre Abbotsford with Comhaltas Melbourne. 7:30-9:30pm

Then this Sunday afternoon (26/10), we have a lovely afternoon of dancing planned with the Irish Social Dance Association Victoria (isdav.org.au) at the Edinburgh Gardens Community Room (next door to the tennis courts and the pavilion). ISDAV's AGM will start at 2pm with dancing to start at 2:30pm. This is a FREE event! Come and hear about what ISDAV are all about or just come for the dancing. All welcome, a small plate to share for afternoon tea would be appreciated but not required.

Keep Dancing!! 🕺 💃

15/09/2025

Hello to all our dancing friends,
It's finally spring and we're both back in action!
Matt has returned after taking time away to welcome his baby boy Albert, who came much earlier than planned and needed some extra support for the last 5 months. Albert and his mum are both now doing very well.

Anyhow onwards we go, dancing continues every Monday night at the Kensington Town Hall Supper room with Marie sharing the class with a couple of our younger ISDAV members Bonney and Tynan. 8-10pm, $10

This Tuesday/tomorrow (16/9) Matt is on at the Celtic Club Melbourne for the next monthly instalment of set dancing 7:30-9:00 (often runs a little over depending on enthusiasm). All welcome, great beginner atmosphere, details here;
https://luma.com/vzc3j5xf?utm_source=embed

Then as per every Wednesday at the Djeering Centre Abbotsford, set dancing with Matt & Marie with Comhaltas Melbourne. 7:30-9:30 $10.

See you all on the dancefloor, there are some great events being planned for the rest of the year, stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.

Keep Dancing! 💃 🕺

Join us for our Irish Set Dancing classes, returning for 2025 with talented dance teacher Matthew Harriage. Set to lively Irish tunes, you’re guaranteed to…

07/04/2025

It's already April!
As the weather starts to cool down now is the perfect time to get dancing!
Tonight (Tuesday 8/4), this month's instalment of dancing at Celtic Club Melbourne kicks off at 7:30pm. Registrations and details; https://www.celticclub.com.au/whats-on

Mondays in KENSINGTON, just a reminder that with the closure of the Quiet Man, Marie and Rachel have now moved dancing to the Kensington Town Hall Supper Room. 8-10pm, great venue, everyone welcome.

Wednesday nights at the Djeering Centre Abbotsford continue business as usual.

Next Month, Pat Murphy himself will be in town for the Comhaltas Melbourne Irish Set Dance Weekend! Registrations are now open;
https://forms.gle/5gsfdU4Vm67XJhUB9
Sure to be a great weekend.

Keep Dancing! 🕺 💃

Join us for our Irish Set Dancing classes, returning for 2025 with talented dance teacher Matthew Harriage. Set to lively Irish tunes, you’re guaranteed to…

07/03/2025

It's March already!!!
Just over a week until St. Patrick's Day so we thought we'd share what's happening over that time.
Saturday 15th March ISDAV Ceili at the Arthurs Creek Mechanics Institute Hall. It will be a night filled with dancing, a few spot acts, plenty of laughs and great music by the Mundy Ceili Band.
If you wish to book a ticket to the Ceili, full details and booking can be found here;
https://www.isdav.org.au/events
Otherwise payments can be made at the door.

Sunday 16th March the Melbourne Irish Festival is on in Edinburgh Gardens, Fitzroy North. A free family friendly event that has an absolutely fantastic lineup including some of our very talented Comhaltas Melbourne dancers taking to the stage. Festival starts at midday check out the page for more details. - https://www.facebook.com/melbourneirishfestival/

Monday 17th March - The annual Comhaltas Melbourne Patrick’s Day Family Hooley will be held on Monday 17th March at St. Philip’s, Hoddle St., Abbotsford, 7:00-10:00 p.m. Music, dancing and craic for the whole family. $10 for Comhaltas members, $15 for non-members, and children are FREE. For more information see https://melbournecomhaltas.org.au/

Tuesday 18th March at the Celtic Club Melbourne, Matt's Set Dancing night is on again for the March installment.
See https://www.celticclub.com.au/whats-on for bookings and more info.

See you on the dancefloor,
Keep Dancing!

View upcoming ISDAV events and appearances.

16/02/2025

It's been a great start back for 2025 seeing so many of you back on the dancefloor for another year of fun, laughs and a bit of dancing squeezed in.

This Tuesday (18th) dancing returns to the Celtic Club Melbourne with Matt guiding anyone willing to give it a go. 7:30-9:00ish. All ages and abilities welcome to join us. Registrations and more details here;
https://www.celticclub.com.au/whats-on/irish-set-dancing-classes

Monday nights at The Quiet Man Irish Pub with Marie and Rachel continue as normal 8-10pm.
Wednesdays at Comhaltas Melbourne with Matt 7:45 - 9:30 at the Djeering Centre Abbotsford also business as usual.

Marie and Matt with the Irish Social Dance Association Victoria (www.isdav.org.au) and in conjunction with the Arthurs Creek Mechanics Institute Hall Committee (https://arthurscreekhall.com.au/) are running a St. Pat's weekend Ceili on the 15th March.
Details and registrations;
https://www.isdav.org.au/events

See you on the dancefloor,
Keep Dancing! 💃🕺

30/01/2025

We're almost back to normal scheduling for 2025!!
Last night we had a great night at Comhaltas Melbourne's welcome back BBQ with plenty of dancing and great music from the Comhaltas musicians.

This weekend, Sat 1st Feb, St Brigids Day you will find Matt and Marie at the Celtic Club Melbourne from 11am till 2pm supporting Ceoltóirí Naarm with dancing for anyone that wants to get up and dance.
https://www.celticclub.com.au/whats-on/st-brigids-day-2025

Then you'll find Matt in Ballarat calling at a ceili with the Bakery Hill Band for the Ballarat Irish Association's St Brigids celebrations. 2-5pm more details at; https://www.ballaratirish.org.au/events/upcoming-events/

Then next week we're back.
Monday, Marie and Rachel will get those feet moving again at The Quiet Man Irish Pub 8-10pm

Wednesday, Matt will be back with Comhaltas at the Djeering Centre,Abbotsford 7:45-9:30pm

The monthly Celtic Club Melbourne Set Dancing night starts back Tuesday the 18th February. https://www.celticclub.com.au/whats-on/irish-set-dancing-classes

Finally Save The Date, the evening of Saturday March 15th. There will be ceili at the Arthurs Creek Mechanics Institute Hall run by ISDAV and the Arthur's Creek Hall committee. More details to follow very soon but a night not to be missed.

See you on the dancefloor very soon,
Keep Dancing 🕺 💃

10/01/2025

Happy new year!
We hope everyone has had a good start to the year.

Tomorrow (Sat 11/1) you can find us on the airwaves as M&M host the Irish Program on 3ZZZ 92.3 FM or live stream https://www.3zzz.com.au/
We'll be live from 11am-12 listening to some of our favourite tracks, having a laugh and keeping the Melbourne Irish community updated with upcoming events.

Dancing for 2025 returns at The Quiet Man Irish Pub Monday Feb 3rd, and the Celtic Club Melbourne will return monthly starting Tuesday Feb 18th. Comhaltas Melbourne classes at the Djeering Centre Abbotsford start back Wednesday 5th February but there will be a welcome back BBQ on the 29th of January at St Phillips Anglican Church hall.

See you all very soon back on the dancefloor.
Keep Dancing! 💃 🕺

15/12/2024

Last week of dancing for 2025!
Tomorrow night (Monday) the last The Quiet Man Irish Pub dance night for the year. Join Marie, Rachel and all the dancers for dinner from 6pm with dancing as usual from 8-10pm

Then Tuesday with Matt at the Celtic Club Melbourne with a mini Ceili 7:30-9:30pm with fabulous live music provided by Aifric Boylan, Ciaran O'Grady and Donnach O'Grady.
Limited numbers, book your place now at; https://www.celticclub.com.au/whats-on/irish-set-dancing-classes
Should be a fabulous way to dance out the year. Feel free to join us for dinner at The Wild Geese from 6pm.

We wish to thank all of you who have come and danced with us, supported us and laughed with us in 2024.
We've had a great year of dance. We are especially proud with the launch of the Irish Social Dance Association Victoria (www.isdav.org.au) pushing forward and introducing the joy of Irish dance to more people than ever.

Stay safe, have a very, very merry Christmas and we will see you, if not this week, back in 2025 with a huge year of dance.

Love to all,
Keep Dancing 💃 🕺
Marie & Matt 🎄

Join us for an evening of Irish set dancing, hosted by talented dance teacher Matthew Harriage. We're exited to be hosting these classes mid-monthly for members and guests.

20/11/2024

Hi Dancers,
This Saturday 23rd Nov is ISDAV's afternoon tea and dance workshop at the Edinburgh Gardens Community Room, North Fitzroy from 1pm.
There has been a few questions regarding the facilities in the community room as the temperature is expected to hit the mid 30's. I can confirm that the room has not 1 but 5 split system air conditioners to handle the heat.
Remember everyone is welcome. We are planning a fun program around dances that even our regulars have never done (or at least not for 15 years) so there will be something for everyone. A light afternoon tea will also be provided.
We also have access to the room, along with the kitchen facilities from 12:30 so feel free to come in early, bring your lunch, and join us for a picnic in the park. Pre-payment not required however, it would be great if you could fill in the form on the website to register your interest. This helps us with planning and catering (How many scones Matt needs to bake) particularly if you have dietary requirements. https://www.isdav.org.au/events

Hope to see you there,
Keep Dancing!

12/11/2024

Plenty of updates this week from us.

Firstly a fantastic time was had at Majors Creek Festival with Matt running a workshop in the local historic hall. So good to have a festival include dance into its programming. Thanks to all those that came to dance, the festival organisers and all the volunteers for a fantastic festival. First time at 'Majors', will definitely be back and would definitely recommend!

Next, dancing at Comhaltas Melbourne Wednesday this week 13/11 will be reduced due to the AGM. We expect the AGM to take no more than an hour so we hope to have an hour of dancing from 8:30. Anyone with an interest in Comhaltas I'd encourage you to come in to the AGM and listen to what the committee have to say.

Dancing at the Celtic Club Melbourne with Matt is on next week 19/11 7:30-9:00pm. Registrations here; https://www.celticclub.com.au/whats-on/irish-set-dancing-classes
All welcome, very beginner friendly.

Also coming up, we are having an afternoon tea and dance workshop on the 23rd November at the Edinburgh Gardens Community Room, North Fitzroy from 1pm. Everyone is welcome. We are planning a fun program around dances that even our regulars have never done (or at least not for 15 years) so there will be something for everyone. A light afternoon tea will be provided.
We also have access to the room, along with the kitchen facilities from 12:30 so feel free to come in early, bring your lunch, and join us for a picnic in the park. Pre-payment not required however, it would be great if you could fill in the form on the website to register your interest. This helps us with planning and catering particularly if you have dietary requirements. https://www.isdav.org.au/events

Finally, looking way into next year. 16-18th May 2025. Lots of work still planning and preparing for the Melbourne Comhaltas Irish Set Dance Weekend but we have some very exciting news. The guest teacher for 2025 with be none other than the legend Pat Murphy! It's been a number of years since he was on our shores and we can't wait to welcome him back. The venue will be St Martin de Porres, Military rd, Avondale Heights and program will be similar to previous years. More details will follow in the new year but get the dates into your diaries for a fantastic weekend of dancing.

Keep Dancing! 💃 🕺

08/11/2024

So excited this weekend to be part of Majors Creek Festival NSW. A lovely little festival with a real community vibe.
Join Matt tonight for an Irish dance workshop in the hall at 5pm!

In other news, Marie and Matt with the Irish Social Dance Association Victoria (www.isdav.org.au) are running an afternoon workshop at the Edinburgh Gardens Community Room on the 23rd of November starting at 1pm.
Tea, Coffee and a light afternoon tea supplied. We have the venue from 12:30 so depending on the weather join us for a picnic lunch in the park prior. Registrations preferred to help with catering www.isdav.org.au/events

Keep Dancing!!