‘Our céilís are some of the best in Ireland’: Ethan Loughrey of Irish Dancing for Adults
What began as a handful of friends meeting in a hall has grown into one of Northern Ireland’s most vibrant adult dance communities.An Irish dance class in Belfast organised by Irish Dancing for Adults, which was founded by Ethan Loughrey and Donna Muldoon
PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN When Ethan Loughrey and Donna Muldoon from Omagh, set up Irish Dancing for Adults in February 2016, the idea was simple: create a space where grown-ups could enjoy Irish dance without the pressure of competition.Dance teacher Ethan Loughrey takes a class of Irish Dancing for Adults in Belfast.
PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN A decade later, that modest experiment has evolved into a network of more than 200 dancers attending weekly classes across Belfast, Omagh, Newcastle and Randalstown, and a community that has raised around £17,000 for various charities along the way, including Action Cancer, Barretstown, Inspire, Anthony Nolan, Northern Ireland Hospice and Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice. Irish Dancing for Adults holds classes in Belfast, Randalstown, Omagh and Newcastle. Picture Colm Lenaghan “We basically just wanted to get together and do some Irish dancing with friends,” Ethan recalls.A céilí organised by Irish Dancing for Adults “As part of our Irish dancing teaching exams Donna and I had been practising together and realised how much we’d missed it (dancing with other people). It was great fun and we thought, why not see if anyone else would like to join in?”We have people at our classes from unionist backgrounds who maybe hadn’t engaged with Irish dance before but want to try it— Ethan LoughreyOn February 7, 2016, Ethan set up a Facebook page at his wife’s suggestion. Dancers at Irish Dancing for Adult's St. Patrick’s Day Céilí at the Deer’s Head, Belfast, March 2025. Photo: Dermot McElduff “We thought we might get a couple of people along,” he says. “There were four or five of us at the start. And it’s just grown from there.”Today, Irish Dancing for Adults, known to members simply as IDA, is a community interest company, which delivers 11 weekly classes in four locations, with an “amazing squad of teachers”. Blocks typically attract between 110 and 140 participants at a time, with a core base of around 200 to 220 dancers.An Irish Dancing for Adults class in Belfast.
PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN The majority are in their late 20s to early 40s, and while most are women, the classes are open to all. “There’s plenty of people outside of that age bracket - we’ve people in their seventies - particularly in the regional classes outside of Belfast," says Ethan. Crucially, no previous experience is required to take part in the classes. “One of the most enjoyable things has been welcoming people who’ve never danced before.“We get international people coming along in Belfast, and people from unionist backgrounds who maybe hadn’t engaged with Irish dance before but wanted to try it. Everything is scalable. You don’t need to be fit, and you don’t need to have danced before.”Irish Dancing for Adults' Halloween Céilí 2025 at Mandela Hall, Belfast. Photo: Dermot McElduff. For Ethan, Irish dance has always been woven into family life. His grandmother, Bernadette Grogan, still teaches at the Grogan O’Doherty School of Dancing in Omagh, where he grew up immersed in the tradition.“It was a big family thing,” he says. “My granny is still teaching three times a week. Some of my happiest memories growing up were the social side, family gatherings and the odd céilí. That’s the part we’ve tried to bottle.”Ethan Loughrey and Donna Muldoon, founders of Irish Dancing for Adults IDA’s motto, ‘Bringing Back the Céilí’, captures that ethos. While classes include warm-ups and a fitness element, the emphasis is firmly on enjoyment and connection rather than medals or trophies.“You’d be amazed how many people come to us with a negative experience of Irish dancing from when they were younger,” Ethan says.“I’m very lucky, I had a very positive experience, as did Donna. But some people will have gone to schools where the competition and winning was very much the focus.“Competition can be brilliant, but it’s not for everyone. We’re trying to reframe it. We’re here to have fun, learn to dance and build a community. Those are the three cornerstones of the classes.”Irish dance teachers Thomas Morrison, left, and Ethan Loughrey
PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN Classes focus on traditional céilí and team dances, equipping participants with the confidence to take to the floor at the organisation’s popular charity céilís. Those large-scale events, often featuring some of the best céilí bands in Ireland, have become a hallmark of IDA’s calendar.Ethan doesn’t shy away from bold claims. “I’d say our céilís are some of the best in Ireland,” he laughs. “We bring together a huge group of people who already know the dances and mix that with the general public. The atmosphere is incredible.”Dance teacher Thomas Morrison takes a class of Irish Dancing for Adults
PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN Beyond the dancefloor, friendships flourish.“We really do want to build a community and we’re very serious about that. So that could be doing wee micro social events, like going for a hike, encouraging the guys to go for an ice cream after class.”Overseas trips have also cemented bonds within the group. Last year, 25 dancers travelled to the Inter-Celtic Festival in Lorient, France. Previous trips have taken members to Malta, Greece and Paris, often performing at St Patrick’s Day events hosted by Irish embassies. Dancers have represented Northern Ireland on major stages, including performances at the SSE Arena and appearances during the Pope’s visit to Ireland.“It’s about bringing people together and making really fun memories under the auspices of just Irish dancing. We’re genuinely passionate about it. It means a lot to all of us, all the teachers. We are lucky with the people that come to class, they are the sort of people you would want to hang out with.”While IDA remains a passion project - Ethan’s day job is in outdoor tourism - its impact has been profound. Dancers regularly speak of improved mental health, increased confidence and a renewed sense of belonging.“It’s very hard to be stressed about work or life when you’re spinning around to good music with people you like,” Ethan reflects. “The biomechanics just don’t lend themselves to worrying.”That impact will be celebrated in style on March 21, 2026, with a black-tie gala dinner and céilí at Belfast’s Europa Hotel to mark the organisation’s 10th anniversary. The evening will feature a performance and talk from Riverdance principal Amy-Mae Dolan, music from The Blackwater Céilí Band and entertainment from folk group The Kilkennys.“We couldn’t not have a céilí,” Ethan says. “A black-tie céilí felt like the perfect way to mark 10 years, a modern take on an age-old cultural tradition.”As Irish culture continues to experience something of a resurgence, and with the upcoming Fleadh Cheoil in Belfast this summer, Ethan believes IDA’s cross-community appeal reflects a wider shift.“You’ve got a post-Troubles generation who are more open to trying things that maybe weren’t part of their background,” he says. “People are more comfortable exploring other cultures. Social media helps showcase what’s happening too.”Ten years on from that first small class, the heart of the organisation remains unchanged.“We’re incredibly lucky with the people who come through the door,” Ethan says. “It means a lot to all of us. We just wanted to bring people together through Irish dance — and that’s still what we’re doing.”The 10th anniversary gala will take place at the Europa Hotel on March 21, 2026. Further information and tickets are available at: bookwhen.com/ida/e/ev-srrix-20260321180000
