Cultural Activities

The Five Points Cloggers are a non-profit, energetic dance group based in Dayton, OH with dancers of all ages. We specialize in Appalachian Mountain style clogging, also known as buck dancing, to traditional and popular music. The Five Points Cloggers have been performing in the Dayton area for over 30 years at local and regional festivals and events. The group was created to provide an extracurricular activity for young people (ages 8-80) in the Dayton area, to provide entertainment at local festivals and nursing homes and to continue the American traditional dance form created by settlers to America over 200 years ago. For more information about our group – our schedule, joining the group or attending a clogging class, see our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FivePointsCloggers

More information about Cathy Jo’s stories and the Irish Wake info can be found at www.irishteller.com

DARC is a rugby union club dedicated to the promotion and growth of the sport. They play their home games at Dayton Rugby Grounds located at 620 Shiloh Dr. in Dayton.  For more information on how to get involved, or even just to come out and watch one of their matches, visit www.daytonrugby.com

Founded in 1996 by Susan Cross Gilligan, the Riley School of Irish Music is a community of children, teens and adults dedicated to the pursuit of Irish traditional music. We are dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Irish music. We offer a wide range of classes and workshops for students of all ages and skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Our experienced instructors specialize in traditional Irish instruments such as the fiddle, tin whistle, and bodhran, even traditional Irish singing.

Gaeltacht Midwest provides introductory Irish (Gaelic) language instruction to attendees and connection with other Irish-learning opportunities in the Midwest, US, and abroad. To learn more about their programming please visit them at www.facebook.com/groups/GaeltachtMidwest and www.facebook.com/indianacelticcommunity

Since a young age, Daniel has been drawn to music.  With a foundation as a drummer, his guitar playing has been described at “driving” and “rhythmic”.  At a later age he added the uilleann pipes to his arsenal.   As a founding member of The Drowsy Lads Daniel has had the pleasure of playing and teaching at some of the largest Irish Music gatherings in the world.

Founded in 1996 by Susan Cross Gilligan, the Riley School of Irish Music is a community of children, teens and adults dedicated to the pursuit of Irish traditional music. We are dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Irish music. We offer a wide range of classes and workshops for students of all ages and skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Our experienced instructors specialize in traditional Irish instruments such as the fiddle, tin whistle, and bodhran, even traditional Irish singing.

Multi-instrumentalist Randy Clepper is in demand as a performer of Irish traditional music on cittern/bouzouki, fingerstyle acoustic guitar, tenor banjo, and hammered dulcimer.

Known for the inspirational Celtic theme employed in most of her books, Cindy Thomson is the author of two novel series and several non-fiction books. A genealogy enthusiast, she writes from her home in Ohio where she lives with her husband Tom near their three grown sons and their families. Visit me on social media, join my email list to download a free novella!

Larry Fortson plays both the Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe and Irish Uilleann bagpipe. He was a competition Highland piper for many years and has won awards in both US and UK competitions. Larry also plays 3 other types of bagpipes, Irish whistles, bluegrass banjo, and prefers Irish whiskeys over Scotch.

Known for the inspirational Celtic theme employed in most of her books, Cindy Thomson is the author of two novel series and several non-fiction books. A genealogy enthusiast, she writes from her home in Ohio where she lives with her husband Tom near their three grown sons and their families. Visit me on social media, join my email list to download a free novella!

Come see the magnificent Irish wolfhound, the tallest breed in the world. For millennia, these dogs were found only in Ireland; they belonged only to kings and chieftains. Their nickname is the Gentle Giant because they are so sweet and mild. Please come and pet them; maybe you’ll get an Irish kiss. Our club’s name means “hounds and good times.”

Founded in 1996 by Susan Cross Gilligan, the Riley School of Irish Music is a community of children, teens and adults dedicated to the pursuit of Irish traditional music. We are dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Irish music. We offer a wide range of classes and workshops for students of all ages and skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Our experienced instructors specialize in traditional Irish instruments such as the fiddle, tin whistle, and bodhran, even traditional Irish singing.

We are a small dance group that practices in the Dayton area. Our teachers are Aimee Frantz, Erin Breen, Rachael Ryckman. We also have a teacher in training. We typically perform several times a year with festivals around the area and some of our students compete in Ohio and surrounding states. Scottish Highland Dancing is the perfect combination of art and sport. You do not have to be Scottish to participate in this type of dance. Boys and girls of all ages and skill levels perform and compete together throughout the year at local, national, and international events. Wearing the traditional kilt and dancing to bagpipe music, dancers develop the skills that will give them valuable experiences that can have a positive impact throughout their lives.  Find us on Facebook and Instagram.

More information about Cathy Jo’s stories and the Irish Wake info can be found at www.irishteller.com

Multi-instrumentalist Randy Clepper is in demand as a performer of Irish traditional music on cittern/bouzouki, fingerstyle acoustic guitar, tenor banjo, and hammered dulcimer.

An Irish-American author, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, but spent his teenage and adult life in Northwest Ohio. Mr. O’Leary’s five critically acclaimed, realistic coming-of-age novels focus on teenagers facing a family crisis. Irish Crossings: Danny’s Story and Irish Crossings: Caitlin & Paddy’s Story are fictional accounts of his family’s struggles during the heartbreak of the Irish Potato Famine. Aside from sharing his novels during the festival, Mr. O’Leary will also talk about life in Ireland during the time of the Great Hunger. He will discuss how the Potato Famine not only changed the destiny of Ireland, but also America.

Originally from Broadford, Co. Clare Ireland, Greg Bebbington started playing the Irish sport of hurling at the age of 6. He is now a resident of Dayton and currently plays for the Cleveland Hurling team.