FOR 23 of the 24 years that there has been an Australia Day Celtic Festival, a St George-based traditional Irish dancing group has helped entertain festival crowds.
The Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers who practise at Kingsgrove have four members from the area dancing at the festival, being held at Bradfield Park, Milsons Point, under Sydney Harbour Bridge.
One of the leaders of the group, Margaret Winnett, of Bexley North, said some discovered a festival there only by accident.
"These people then come back year after year," Mrs Winnett said.
"People often come to Irish dance through Irish music which is so joyful; people hear the music and discover the dance."
The dancers will perform as a group and there will be solo step dancing, as well as pipe bands, Scottish dancers, the Sydney Welsh Choir, Scottish and Irish bands, and a Scottish soldier doing a re-enactment.
There will be a children's play area, a grand parade at noon, Celtic and general markets, and food stalls.
The festival is supported by the North Sydney Council and the Celtic Council of Australia in association with the Australia Day Council of NSW.
The free festival — which will be held regardless of the weather — will be from 10am to 5pm on Monday, January 26.
Details: celticcouncil.org.au; Irish dancing: 9150 6765.
