Comhaltas Oregon’s St. Brigid’s Day Rambling House
January 31, 2026, 3-9 p.m.
Waverly UCC, 3300 SE Woodward Street, Portland, Oregon
An afternoon & evening of Irish music, song, and dance
You are Invited!
Comhaltas Oregon invites you to take part in an afternoon & evening of Irish music, song, and dance. Play some tunes in the open sessions, or just listen. Get some dance instruction, and join in the Céilí dance. Share in the potluck supper. Perhaps sing, join in an Irish conversation circle, and hear a story.
The Rambling House Tradition
In Ireland, a rambling house or céilí house is a home known for hosting musicians, singers, dancers, and storytellers for entertainment. It’s an opportunity for neighbors and wider community members to have an evening of socializing and fun while offering a platform for promoting Irish cultural practices. Comhaltas Oregon’s Rambling House follows in the vein of this tradition by opening our organizational doors to welcome in our members and immediate music community as well as to the wider Portland community who might not have had the opportunity to explore Irish cultural practices.
What to Expect
Schedule - (check back for updates)
3:00-4:00pm - Welcome Session (come and listen, dance, or play along!)
4:00-5:00pm - Cultural Block (pick one that sounds interesting or float between them)
Song Circle - lift up your voice! Share a song, join the chorus.
Open Session - Play some Irish tunes, listen, and connect with other musicians.
Slow Session - Irish tunes at a slower tempo
Ciorcal Comhrá (Irish Conversation Circle) - a gathering that often includes stories, song, and tidbits of Irish culture and lore.
5:00-6:00pm - Potluck supper - Good food and good company. Bring a favorite dish to share. (sign up to bring a dish)
6:00-6:30pm - Dance Primer - New to Irish dancing? Here’s what you need to step into the céilí.
6:30-8:30pm - An Céilí Mór (Irish dance) - Jump in and join the fun! Beginners are welcome - start with the Dance Primer if you can. Leather-soled shoes recommended. Music by Two-Rivers Ceili Band; called by Nancy Jarrell and Mary Lowes.
6:00-8:30pm - Open Session - Trad Irish tune playing, open to all.
8:30-9:00pm - Clean up and Farewell (Slán Abhaile) - Everybody join in to make quick work of the cleanup. (sign up to help)
Please limit the use of cologne, body spray, and fabric softeners at this event. Some folks are sensitive to the chemicals in them and can experience respiratory distress.
Location
Waverly Heights United Church of Christ, 3300 SE Woodward Street, Portland, Oregon — MAP
The Waverly United Church of Christ is generously offering us space for MÓD programming. Waverly UCC is an affirming church with a beautiful building and warm congregation located at SE 33rd Avenue and Woodward Street in the Richmond neighborhood of Southeast Portland. Both a parking lot and ample street parking are available around the parameter of the building with an accessible, ramped enterance direclty off the parking lot. There’s even a playground and garden space!
Suggested Donation
There’s a suggested donation of $10 ($5 for MÓD members). Kids under 12 FREE. This event acts as an organizational fundraiser and is powered by volunteers. Please donate generously and consider becoming a member of MÓD. The funds generated from this event help us to afford rental space at Waverly for dance classes, concerts, the Rambling House, They also support ongoing programming such as our Annual Summer Campout at Zigzag Mountain Farm, scholarships, and general running costs.
What to Bring (and not bring)
Bring a Water bottle — save on waste and have a sip of water handy when you need it
Do not bring alcohol — our agreements with Waverly UCC, and our insurance provider, prohibit alcoholic drinks at this event
Bring your favorite dish for the potluck — We have the use of kitchen space to reheat dishes and do light preparations - but not to fully cook. If you’re bringing a soup/stew/chili, consider bringing a crockpot to keep it warm. We’ll supply the cutlery/napkins/plates/bowls. Deliver your dish to a volunteer in the kitchen located in the basement.
Bring a “trading post” gift — this is entirely optional, and a chance for you to find a new home for Irish-related books, dancing shoes, music collections, and the like. Are you familiar with the potlatch tradition of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest? Gaelic society had a similar concept called tuarastal. It was an expression of gratitude through the giving of gifts by a cheiftain to their community. In the spirit of the tuarastal, we will have an open gift exchange “trading post” table.
Membership — you are welcome!
Should you wish to join the Mícheál Ó Domhnaill Branch of Oregon, we will have membership registration material available at the Rambling House. Or, you can become a member now — just follow this link. Tá fáilte mhór romhat - you are much welcomed!