What is a Cèilidh or Cèili?

Cèilidhs are traditional Celtic social events. The Scottish spell it Cèilidh, and the Irish spell it as Cèili.

In translation it means "Social Visit", but in practical terms it involves dancing and celtic music.

Due a large number of Irish and Scottish colonial settlers in Australia, a lot of the Cèilidh dances were adopted as "Australian Bush Dances".

The JarrahCelts host Cèilidhs where they teach the audience to set dance. Here are a few pictures of our Cèilidhs...

2017 Boddington Medieval Banquet Animation

2017 Warnbro Scottish Ceilidh

Here is video of Chris teaching folks how to dance the "Gay Gordons" at a Scottish Ceilidh. Most of the people at these Australian held Scottish events have little to no knowledge of the dance steps, but that is OK... its all part of the fun.

Check out our latest Album - Dandjoo...

You can find it on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify - plus a load of other places.

If you want a Hard Copy CD (with booklet) for $20 - email Chris directly on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Regular Players

Chris Horgan2 Chris Horgan - Woodwind/Vocals
Australian Perth born instrumentalist of 30 years with strong Irish ancestral roots, Chris lived in Ireland for 3 years where he immersed himself in traditional Irish Culture. Today Chris plays a fusion of Australian and Celtic styles on a variety of acoustic instruments such as the wooden Irish Flute, Didgeridoo, a Celtic Drum called a “Bodhran” and the Irish Uilleann pipes.

Dave Cooper Dave (Coops) Cooper - Guitar/Bass/Vocals
Coops was born in Dundee, Scotland and grew up in Perth Australia. Coops brings with him a fresh modern, funky vibe. An amazing talent on guitar, bass and vocally.

Jane Slater - Fiddle/Vocals
Originally from Perth, Scotland, Jane is our traditional Scottish fiddle musician and female vocalist. Jane studied Scottish Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and taught Fiddle in schools around the Central West of Scotland. Jane sings with a high sweet tone and an master of her 150 year old fiddle.

John Perry John (JPezz) Perry - Double Bass
An established Double Bass player that's been around the traps for the last 40 years, John has played in bands such as the Gum Nut Stompers, Swan City Jazzmen and the legendary Mucky Duck Bush band. Known for his comical, witty remarks and gags between tunes.

Pete Horgan - Guitar/Mandolin
Pete, cousin to Chris, is Australian Perth born with strong Irish and Scottish ancestory. Pete plays acoustic guitar and mandolin. Pete's G'Grandpa "Fancis Finbar Horgan" was a known Irish banjo player in Perth in the early 1900's.

Guest Players

Bob Emery
Bob is a skilled multi instrumentalist. A legend in the Perth Folk scene with an engagement of over 40 years, Bob is as a very versatile musician, being much at home playing jigs and reels on a Mandolin as he is on Bass or Guitar. Australian born and bred.

Kim Bettenay
Australian born, Kim is a highly skilled and technical guitarist. With a background of Blues and Roots, Kim adds a unique flavour to our Celtic fusion. Kim often plays with Chris as the "JarrahCelts duo".