Main Page: Ceilidhs

Overview

According to The Oxford English Reference Dictionary, a Ceilidh is an informal gathering for conversation, music, songs, and stories. The word itself comes from Gaelic. Ceilidhs are particularly popular in Ireland, Scotland and the British armed forces, but also in the entire English-speaking world, where the Celts have exercised their not insignificant influence.
I myself met and loved Ceilidhs when joining 23 Petty Officers Mess aboard HMS Victorious while serving in the Royal Navy in 1963. Every Wednesday during the evening watch the mess held a "Ceilidh" during which all off-duty members were expected to take their turn. Sometimes other messes were invited to join in. Most of the contributions were, as one might expect, of a ribald nature but an occasional folk song or popular ballad might also be performed. Those were the "Celidhs" that started off my passion to collect folk songs.
Fast-forward to May 1993 when instead of holding a Birthday Party I organised my first Vegesacker Ceililh. As I was the only one who knew what it was all about I did not know how my German friends would react. Music was made, songs were sung, tales were told and even one lass juggled. and all went very well indeed!
At that time I thought it would be a nostalgic one-off but as each May came around my friends would ask when was the next Ceilidh. This carried on for some 10 years culminating in my final Ceilidh under the patronage of Bremen's Mayor, Dr. Henning Scherf, at the Gustav-Heinemann Burgerhaus in Bremen-Vegesack. Happy Memories indeed!!

Geoff Grainger, Sheffield, May 2018

Galeries

Hot Shots

Private Ceilidh, Vegesack, April 13th 2003

All the below photos were taken by and are © 2003 of Manfred Eichholz

Nina & Geoff's warming up Britta and André. André and Imke joining-in with their recorders. Victor Besch astonishes Geoff with his virtuoso guitar playing using a beer can ring as plectrum.

Nina bewitches the photographer. Vic trying not to laugh when Geoff plays in G but sings in D (again!). Now we've finally got our act together. Victor Besch, the star of the Ceilidh. just about to bring the house down. Thanks a lot, Vic!

2003: Part 1

Ceilidh 2003, Part 1

All the below photos were taken by and are © 2003 of Manfred Eichholz

De Blomendaler taking a rest The Kreft family warming up Sybille, Inge and Ute of the Bremen Recorder TC enjoying a joke.

The audience chatting whilst waiting for the start. Geoff putting Ute wise to the long farewell Steffen opening the proceedings

Heike taking charge of her "office". De Saitenspeeler getting into gear. Suse, Heinz and Geoff of "The Whalermen" waitin to launch their "U-Boot". The rum is real!

Captain Egbert Heiß of "The Whalermen". Drunken Sailor Suse Wollin of "The Whalermen". Dustman Geoff and Dabtoe Oaky of "The Whalermen"

2003: Part 2

Ceilidh 2003, Part 2

All the below photos were taken by and are © 2003 of Manfred Eichholz

Steffen introducing Chor Courage Anja and Geoff having a serious discussion. Karo says hello. Steffen is trying to remember the Ching-Chang-Mann.

Chor Courage really going at it. Chor Courage swinging away De Saitenspeeler admiring Chor Courage

Bremen Recorder TC playing The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers (1921), Gesche is picking her nose. Bremen Recorder TC still playing The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers Bremen Recorder TC almost finished playing 12th Street Rag (1915)

Bremen Recorder TC playing Bregeiro (1914), Mareile Kreft and Thomas Köhler delight with their interpretation. Mareile and Thomas putting in their final flourish. Monika and friends enjoying the performance.

Bremen Recorder TC playing Rastus on Parade - Song (1896), Nina Kreft charms with her soft soprano. Bremen Recorder TC still playing Rastus on Parade (1896) at a different camera angle. Bremen Recorder TC still playing Rastus on Parade (1896) at even yet another different camera angle.

De Blomendaler enjoying the recorder music. Steffen introducinge the Bremen University Opera Studio Ensemble Bremen University performing Choir 2, "Oh the pleasure of the plains" from Handel's "Acis and Galatea".

Still Choir 2, "Oh the pleasure of the plains" Bodo Schmidt alias Polypheme frightening Galatea. Waiting to perform the final Choir 22, "Galatea dry thy tears".

Arne Schäfer starts us off. Our final performance! .

2003: Part 3a

Ceilidh 2003, Part 3, Ceilidh Pur

All the below photos were taken by and are © 2003 of Manfred Eichholz

Steffen introduces Ceilidh Pur Egbert Heiß warms us up with his "Stänzerl für Geoff" A really warmed up Manfred.

Egbert triumphs! Egbert introduces Peter Krüger Peter makes a definitive artistic contribution to Ceilidh 2003 with his dictation recorder.

Peter knows no bounds. An interesting photographic study of microphones. Peter - stage left! Peter triumphs!

Heinz Seidelmann -- tells us of the man -- who used to walk like this --

But now -- walks like this! An enchanted audience. Kati, the birthday girl, and Karo delighted. Thanks a million, Heinz!

Steffen introduces the Ching-Chang-Man. The audience follows suite! Ulli sings his heart out. De Blomendaler watch.

2003: Part 3b

Ceilidh 2003, Part 3, The Long Farewell

All the below photos were taken by and are © 2003 of Manfred Eichholz

Representatives of all the groups assemble ready to hum All through the night. De Saitenspeeler join us on the main stage. Nina & Geoff raring to be off

Arne Schäfer studies Welsh! Nina & Geoff belting out Come me Lads (Let union be) Lars Jedding, Bodo Schmidt, Jutta Köster and Imke Wellmann joining in.

Oliver Rosteck, Anja-Maren Schmidt, Britta Steenken, Katja Kolbe and Ulli Schweitzer do their Right for the rolleri tooralilows.. De Saitenspeeler hard at it! Edi, Nina & Geoff with Anne doing theirs too!

Britta, Katja, Ulli and Egbert are no slouches with their Right for the rolleri tooralilows.. Absolute silence when Nina sings Now is the hour. Oliver and Anja lighting their sparklers whilst Leave her, Johnny is being sung.

Bettina lights her sparkler. Oliver is sad, his sparkler has gone out! Nina & Geoff with de Saitenspeeler finishing Leave her Johnny. Thanks a lot you guys.

The Parting Glass Good night! God bless! Good-bye! .


Nina & Geoff's warming up Britta and André.	André and Imke joining-in with their recorders.	Victor Besch astonishes Geoff with his virtuoso guitar playing using a beer can ring as plectrum.

Nina bewitches the photographer. Vic trying not to laugh when Geoff plays in G but sings in D (again!).	Now we've finally got our act together.	Victor Besch, the star of the Ceilidh. just about to bring the house down. Thanks a lot, Vic!


De Blomendaler taking a rest	The Kreft family warming up	Sybille, Inge and Ute of the Bremen Recorder TC enjoying a joke.

The audience chatting whilst waiting for the start.	Geoff putting Ute wise to the long farewell	Steffen opening the proceedings

Heike taking charge of her "office".	De Saitenspeeler getting into gear.	Suse, Heinz and Geoff of "The Whalermen" waitin to launch their "U-Boot". The rum is real!

Captain Egbert Heiß of "The Whalermen".	Drunken Sailor Suse Wollin of "The Whalermen".	Dustman Geoff and Dabtoe Oaky of "The Whalermen"


Steffen introducing Chor Courage	Anja and Geoff having a serious discussion.	Karo says hello. Steffen is trying to remember the Ching-Chang-Mann.

Chor Courage really going at it.	Chor Courage swinging away	De Saitenspeeler admiring Chor Courage

Bremen Recorder TC playing The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers (1921), Gesche is picking her nose.	Bremen Recorder TC still playing The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers	Bremen Recorder TC almost finished playing 12th Street Rag (1915)

Bremen Recorder TC playing Bregeiro (1914), Mareile Kreft and Thomas Köhler delight with their interpretation.	Mareile and Thomas putting in their final flourish.	Monika and friends enjoying the performance.

Bremen Recorder TC playing Rastus on Parade - Song (1896), Nina Kreft charms with her soft soprano.	Bremen Recorder TC still playing Rastus on Parade (1896) at a different camera angle.	Bremen Recorder TC still playing Rastus on Parade (1896) at even yet another different camera angle.

De Blomendaler enjoying the recorder music.	Steffen introducinge the Bremen University Opera Studio Ensemble	Bremen University performing Choir 2, "Oh the pleasure of the plains" from Handel's "Acis and Galatea".

Still Choir 2, "Oh the pleasure of the plains"	Bodo Schmidt alias Polypheme frightening Galatea.	Waiting to perform the final Choir 22, "Galatea dry thy tears".

	Arne Schäfer starts us off. Our final performance!	.


Steffen introduces Ceilidh Pur	Egbert Heiß warms us up with his "Stänzerl für Geoff"	A really warmed up Manfred.

Egbert triumphs!	Egbert introduces Peter Krüger	Peter makes a definitive artistic contribution to Ceilidh 2003 with his dictation recorder.

Peter knows no bounds.	An interesting photographic study of microphones. Peter - stage left!	Peter triumphs!

Heinz Seidelmann --	tells us of the man --	who used to walk like this --

But now --	walks like this!	An enchanted audience. Kati, the birthday girl, and Karo delighted. Thanks a million, Heinz!

Steffen introduces the Ching-Chang-Man.	The audience follows suite!	Ulli sings his heart out. De Blomendaler watch.


Representatives of all the groups assemble ready to hum All through the night.	De Saitenspeeler join us on the main stage.	Nina & Geoff raring to be off

Arne Schäfer studies Welsh!	Nina & Geoff belting out Come me Lads (Let union be)	Lars Jedding, Bodo Schmidt, Jutta Köster and Imke Wellmann joining in.

Oliver Rosteck, Anja-Maren Schmidt, Britta Steenken, Katja Kolbe and Ulli Schweitzer do their Right for the rolleri tooralilows..	De Saitenspeeler hard at it!	Edi, Nina & Geoff with Anne doing theirs too!

Britta, Katja, Ulli and Egbert are no slouches with their Right for the rolleri tooralilows..	Absolute silence when Nina sings Now is the hour.	Oliver and Anja lighting their sparklers whilst Leave her, Johnny is being sung.

Bettina lights her sparkler.	Oliver is sad, his sparkler has gone out!	Nina & Geoff with de Saitenspeeler finishing Leave her Johnny. Thanks a lot you guys.

	The Parting Glass Good night! God bless! Good-bye!	.