What’s on Offer?

World Champions, Loughgiel School of Irish Dancing invite you to spend the weekend with them and their families as guests of their community. Taking experiential tourism to a whole new level, this weekend will give your group an opportunity to experience life in a rural Irish village as their guests. Engage with the local people, immerse yourself in the culture, master some of our traditional skills, indulge in the passion for our sports, relive our vibrant history, delve into our ancient folklore and become a part of the community.

About the Community:

Loughgiel, a village nestled in the Glens of Antrim – the cultural hub of the Causeway Coastal Route, epitomises authentic Irish life where modern life blends in with a deep rooted and vibrant culture along with rich Irish tradition. This is a proud village which boasts some of the finest Irish dancers in the world, athletes who have been crowned hurling champions of Ireland in our native Irish sport, talented musicians whose skills have been passed down through the generations and a community whose sense of pride and homely welcome make it a place where Irish life is at its purest. 

Key aspects of the trip:

On arrival in Loughgiel on a Friday evening, you will join the families of the Irish dancers for a welcome reception in the function room of the local Pound Bar, which is at the hub of socialising in the local community. After a warm welcome, introductions and getting acquainted you will join the families for dinner before a social evening of cultural music, song and dance followed by a Ceilidh where everyone is encouraged to join in.

The Loughgiel Irish dancers have been crowned Irish and world champions and continue to provide some of the most energetic and fast paced performances the land has to offer.

Next day you will join the families who will take you sightseeing on the North coast, where you can see the main attractions or visit some of the spectacular off the beaten track hidden gems, that this area is renowned for. For an insight into the local community and culture, they will take you to a local hurling match where you will see the passion that this amateur sport played at a professional level, between neighbouring clubs instils in a community.

The pub is at the heart of all Irish villages, so after dinner because you are viewed as the guests of this whole community you must go there to meet the locals, listen to their stories and immerse yourself in the simplest Irish experience. The homely welcome, the peat fire, the pints of Guinness, the traditional music storytelling and dancing and of course the craic make for an enriching and unforgettable evening.