Nunhead pub hosts traditional ceilidh for younger crowds

The Ivy House pub in Nunhead, south-east London, hosted a traditional Scottish ceilidh dance last Friday, attracting a younger demographic to its dancefloor. This event signals a growing interest in analogue, in-person experiences among younger generations, as reported by The Guardian.

Rising Popularity of Ceilidhs

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The popularity of ceilidh events is reflected in ticketing data. Eventbrite reported a 16% increase in UK ticket sales for ceilidh events in the financial year 2024-25, with a 15% global growth in the same period. Page Dudley, a spokesperson for Eventbrite, noted that young people are seeking communal and less polished events.

Attendees at the Ivy House event described the ceilidh as a refreshing way to spend time offline and connect with others. George, 35, a first-time attendee, stated, “I just like how silly it can be. It just makes you feel alive.” His partner, Louise, 32, also new to ceilidhs, appreciated the non-judgmental atmosphere and the mix of ages, saying, “It’s nice that it’s all ages. When you strip away the ego, everyone just becomes their childlike selves.” Jamie, 19, noted that ceilidhs are becoming more popular among his peers, often leading to unexpected encounters with schoolfriends.

Community and Charity Impact

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Anna Spree, communications, events and fundraising assistant at Link Age Southwark, an anti-loneliness charity, reported that the "ceilidh renaissance" had enabled the organisation to connect with new people. Ticket sales from the Ivy House dance contributed to the charity's fundraising efforts. Spree described the dances as accessible yet engaging, stating, “[The dances] were accessible enough that anyone could join in, but also slightly complex, which made them a lot more fun.”

The South East London Folk Orchestra (SELFolk) provided live music for the event. Alison Craig, a guitarist with the orchestra, observed a significant presence of attendees under 30 at recent ceilidhs they have played. Craig recalled the Ivy House being as lively as it was in the mid-1970s during the recent event. She also noted that ceilidhs can offer an alternative to traditional drinking nights out.

Ed McCabe, founder of London Ceilidh Club, has also witnessed a boom in participation since the Covid-19 pandemic, attributing it to a desire for shared physical presence. He highlighted ceilidhs as having low barriers to entry, facilitating new social connections and even romantic relationships. McCabe suggested that the unselfconscious nature of ceilidh dancing, which involves being sweaty and smiling, makes it conducive to meeting people.

Richard Jones, an accordionist with SELFolk, pointed out the non-heteronormative and non-gendered nature of ceilidhs, where participants are referred to as 'ones and twos' rather than by gender roles. His bandmate Neil McLean, a flautist, agreed, likening the inclusive nature to the opposite of being excluded from school sports teams. Jones added that SELFolk's regular ceilidhs are known for being safe, enjoyable, and community-building, with attendees quickly forming a cohesive group.

What Happens Next

The Ivy House pub organised the recent ceilidh following a successful event the previous year. Information regarding future ceilidh events at The Ivy House or organised by the South East London Folk Orchestra was not detailed in the provided material.