11/05/2026
Sweets of May 2026
Kerry Dancers launched their first Sweets of May in 2012. In The Earl of Desmond Hotel, Tralee. The festival was the brainchild of the late Timmy Woulfe (rip), who formed Kerry Dancers Club the previous September to address the fall off in numbers in Co Kerry at ceilis and also to bring a festival of Set Dancing and Traditional Music to North Kerry, as this part of the county was bereft of a festival of this style. The festival continued under Timmy's chairmanship every year until COVID closed all activities. In 2022, we had to relocate across the border for a suitable venue and were lucky enough to secure our current venue in the family-run Abbey Hotel, Bailey Bhuirne, Co. Cork.
At our Sweets of May last weekend, we relaunched the festival to remember and honour our late chairman, dancing master and friend. The festival will be run each year in his memory.
Timmy's daughters, Noelle and Mary, were present. Noelle addressed the large gathering and told us how proud his family was of not just all he achieved but the respect and gratitude of the set dancing community.
After the launch, Johnny Reid took the stage and, in his usual energetic style, kept the dancers stepping it out to Jigs, reels, Slides and Hornpipe.
Saturday morning at 10.30 am, Pat Murphy began his first workshop of the weekend. The first set up was his own latest composition, The Mayflower Set, danced to four reels and a hornpipe. Pat composed this set to celebrate his many years teaching in the Mayflower Ballroom, Drumshambo, during the Joe Mooney Summer school. Next set up was the sweet Victoria Jig. Pat told us he got this set from the late Jer McAuliffe. It has five figures danced to four jigs and a reel.
At the afternoon workshop, Pat taught the Valentia Right & Left, danced to six polkas.
Our ceili on Saturday night saw the magical Abbey Ceili Band on stage. We danced the Valentia Right and Left from the workshop. Pat called the set, and even those who were not at the workshop had no trouble following his instructions.
Sunday morning at 10.30am saw Pat Murphy back for our final workshop of the weekend. Pat taught The Corsican Set composed by Padraig & Roisin McEneamy. This set has three figures: Reel, Jig & Hornpipe. Pat concluded the workshop by teaching The Charlestown Set. The set was composed by Julia Smith, who lives in South Australia. This set has four figures danced to reel, jig, polka, and Hornpipe.
The stage was set, and dancers energised from their fabulous lunch just in time for our final ceili at 2.30pm The mighty Ui Bhrian Ceili Band kept feet, mind and soul happy. Pat Murphy called The Mayflower set to the delight of those who had attended the workshops. The floor was packed, and everyone enjoyed this latest creation.
We were honoured to welcome members of Timmy's family over the weekend, Mary and Noelle on Friday night, and Liam and Bernadette on Sunday afternoon, accompanied by their mother, Timmy's wife Nancy, who was a fine dancer back in the day.
We had dancers from the four corners of Ireland, visitors from Italy, France, Spain, Corcisa and England. All joined by Larry Creeds, Thursday night dancers who attended in large numbers.
We had non-dancers also who came along for the launch to honour Timmy Woulfe and his contribution to set dancing.
Our venue is booked for 7th, 8th & 9th May 2027. The same lineup of bands, and of course, Pat Murphy will teach our workshops.
Thanks to all of you who supported our weekend and made it a memorable occasion to continue to celebrate and remember Timmy Woulfe. Keep dancing, it is as good as any youth dew.
