About Toronto Irish Set Dancing
Welcome to Toronto Irish Set Dancing, where every step is a celebration! Since 2023, we’ve been spreading joy through the art of Irish set dancing. What’s set dancing, you ask? It’s a bit like square dancing; 4 couples dance together in a “set”. Each dance has between 4 and 6 “figures”, or mini dances of about 4 minutes each. It’s best if you learn the figures off by heart, but we always have a caller to guide us through the steps. Whatever happens, it’s important to remember that set dancing is more than just a dance—it’s an Irish tradition steeped in camaraderie and craic (that’s Irish for fun!).
Irish set dancing has been around for a long time, but has recently had a resurgence in the last 40 years. Here’s a brief history
In Toronto, a group called Reel Blast used to run set dances from the 1990s. When Reel Blast folded, the Open Door Ceilis Committee was formed. Open Door held Ceilis for about 10 years. The Open Door Committee recently retired and a new committee, Toronto Irish Set Dancing has taken over holding dances.
Imagine stepping into a lively kitchen party where music fills the air and everyone’s invited to share in the merriment. At our ceilis, live musicians bring traditional Irish tunes to life, setting the perfect rhythm for our dances.
Worried about the steps? Don’t be! Our dances are easy to learn, and our callers always start with a quick walkthrough before the music kicks in. No partner? No problem! Just bring yourself, comfy shoes, and a positive attitude—we’ll take care of the rest.
In terms of attire, think casual and comfortable. Whether it’s skirts, shorts, or jeans, wear what makes you feel good. And since Ceili dancing is quite the workout, layering up is smart—our venue can get cozy even in winter!
Join us at Toronto Irish Set Dancing and discover why we’re more than just a dance group—we’re a vibrant community celebrating Irish culture one step at a time. See you on the dance floor!
Whether you are an experienced set dancer or completely new to it, you are welcome to join us on the dance floor.
Meet the Callers
Our callers guide the dances, help everyone stay together, and make the evening welcoming for both experienced dancers and newcomers.
Angela Bontje
Angela calls Toronto Irish Set Dancing events and leads the Monday Irish Set Dance Class in Toronto. Her calling helps dancers learn the figures, stay connected to the music and enjoy the social side of set dancing.
Maureen Mulvey O’Leary
Maureen calls Toronto Irish Set Dancing events and leads regular Irish set dance classes in Mississauga, Hamilton and Toronto. She brings years of experience helping dancers learn, practice and enjoy traditional set dancing.
Meet the Musicians
Yes — you are dancing to live music! These are the musicians featured in our 2026/2027 season. Check each event listing to see who is playing that night.
North Atlantic Drift
North Atlantic Drift draws on Irish, Cape Breton and Ontario traditions, combining fiddle, strings and pipes into a distinctly Canadian Celtic sound.
Elise Boeur & Adam Iredale-Gray
Fiddlers Elise Boeur and Adam Iredale-Gray blend Nordic and Irish influences with an intimate, energetic approach to traditional music.
Cabbagetown Ceili Band
One of the featured live-music groups for Toronto Irish Set Dancing’s 2026/2027 season.
Eli Howard and Friends
Eli Howard and Friends bring the energy and rhythm of traditional Irish music to the dance floor, creating a lively setting for set dancing.