Irish folk dance classes in Montgomery County, Maryland are taught by the Ring of Kerry Irish Dancers. A great recreational activity, Irish dancing provides aerobic exercise in a welcoming social setting. If you are thinking of joining, the first two classes are free!
On Friday October 16: Hup! with Tina Eck and Keith Carr, is one hour of Irish traditional music and songs. Lively music from Ireland - uplifting and melancholic, wild and mellow.
On Saturday October 17: Games Day at Kathi and Dick R's. Light refreshments. Please RSVP by text to Kathi by Wednesday, October 14 (see your directory).
Saturday October 17: Brunch at OTC Bar and Grille in Old Towne Gaithersburg. This is a different location from our normal place!
On Friday October 23: RKIDs' eating-out social at Schmankerl Stube Bavarian Restaurant. The German greats will be there - Sauerbraten! Schnitzel! Apfelstrudel!
Sunday October 25: Ceili with live music. All set dances are called.
Friday October 30: It's the legendary Blackthorn Halloween Eve Ceili! Caller: Ann Marie Breheny. Music by Joe DeZarn, Tina Eck and Marc Glickman.
Quick Steps
Marilyn and Obie again opened their doors to the RKIDs to host the annual Labor Day party. 43 came to sample great food, sing songs, talk about what they did over the summer, and just plain enjoy one another's company.
Labor Day Party
The Ring of Kerry Irish Dancers is proud to acknowledge receipt of this citation from the Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, for our 35th anniversary (dated for March 17, 2026):
If you'd like to join us but aren't interested in going to dance class, download our annual membership form below. Please fill in the first page and mail it to us with a check for your dues. But ... if you want to join either of our two semesters of classes, offered during the Fall and Winter/Spring seasons, complete the entire form and bring it to class for registration. Thank you!
More about membership and classes.
Every member who is interested in participating may sign up for this group. Contact Sonja via her email as listed in our membership directory. Discussion sessions will be conducted via Zoom on designated Wednesdays; see our events calendar. Registrants will get an email from Tom O. with connection instructions shortly before each discussion date. Sometimes there will also be an outline of ideas to talk about. You have to acquire the books on your own.
Zoom - 7:00 PM Socializing
7:15 PM Book Discussion starts
A profound and enchanting novel set in the rural Irish village of Faha, from
bestselling Time of the Child author Niall Williams, about the loves of our lives and the joys of reminiscing.
Zoom - 7:00 PM Socializing
7:15 PM Book Discussion starts
From Dara McAnulty, a globally renowned figure in the youth climate activist
movement, comes a memoir about loving the natural world and fighting to save it.
Zoom - 7:00 PM Socializing
7:15 PM Book Discussion starts
It is 1985, in an Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal and timber merchant, faces into his busiest season. As he does the rounds, he feels the past rising up to meet him - and encounters the complicit silences of a people controlled by the Church.
Contact:
Sonja
Going beyond the discussion list, here are some books our club members recommend.
Our 35th Anniversary Celebration
Marking thirty-five years as an Irish dance organization and more, nearly 60 members and guests came out to celebrate. There was a mix of games, memorabilia, an expansive buffet, singing and dancing, and a huge cake to mark the happy occasion. More details and a couple of videos of the action are here.
Wednesday October 14: Board of Directors meeting
On Friday October 16: Hup! with Tina Eck and Keith Carr, is one hour of Irish traditional music and songs. Lively music from Ireland - uplifting and melancholic, wild and mellow. 
On Saturday October 17: Games Day at Kathi and Dick R's. Light refreshments. Please RSVP by text to Kathi by Wednesday, October 14 (see your directory).
Saturday October 17: Brunch at OTC Bar and Grille in Old Towne Gaithersburg. This is a different location from our normal place!
On Tuesday October 20: Fall semester class.
On Friday October 23: RKIDs' eating-out social at Schmankerl Stube Bavarian Restaurant. The German greats will be there - Sauerbraten! Schnitzel! Apfelstrudel!
Sunday October 25: Ceili with live music. All set dances are called.
On Wednesday October 28: This Is Happiness
Friday October 30: It's the legendary Blackthorn Halloween Eve Ceili! Caller: Ann Marie Breheny. Music by Joe DeZarn, Tina Eck and Marc Glickman.
The Ring of Kerry Irish Dancers is proud to acknowledge receipt of this citation from the Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, for our 35th anniversary (dated for March 17, 2026):
denotes completed lessons.
video
