Dancing vicariously with the Irish

Every Tuesday, Mullaney’s Harp and Fiddle Irish Pub in the Strip holds Irish dancing sessions, and even though I’m just a little Irish and even less of a dancer, I felt at home there last night. Like Chance the gardener in the movie “Being There,” I like to watch.

Ceili and Set Dancing with the Pittsburgh Ceili Club begins at 7.15p with lessons. Live music and dancing follows at 8 until 10.

The Harp and Fiddle web site explains that Ceili is an Irish word for gathering and continues:

“Danced in pairs, trios and groups of four to eight, it is similar to American square dancing. Even on your first Tuesday night, you will dance. If you don’t have a partner, we’ll help you find one.”

Sounds like a threat to me. But most of you, I’m sure, are more fun than I am.

It’s a funny thing to be a little Irish. Although I know it makes no sense, Irishness always seemed like an all or nothing proposition. When my mother explained that our Early ancestors came to America from Ireland in the 1600s, I was floored and felt a little cheated. One should know she has some Irish before she’s an adult.  I could have seized the opportunity to smile more, to flirt, even.

Oh well. It’s never too late. Maybe one day I’ll even be on that dance floor.