The Half-Door Club international Music and Dance Festival is a four-day event of set dancing and traditional music in Castletown, Co. Laois. There are 5 ceilithe and 3 workshops and sessions throughout.

The name of the club originated with the late and incomparable set‑dancing master, Connie Ryan. The story goes back to March 1993, when Connie and Betty McCoy were leading a weekend workshop in Newcastle West. That evening, two cars arrived for the céilí from County Laois. At that time, John Sinnott was moving into his ancestral cottage, the traditional home where his grandfather had been born. One of the visitors mentioned to Connie the half‑door of the house, where the group would gather regularly. (Photo: Connie Ryan teaching in Cape May)

During the céilí, and on many later occasions, Connie could be heard saying: “Oh! Here come the Half‑Door Boys again,” and the name remained from that moment on.

In the following years, the club travelled with Connie Ryan to America for five consecutive seasons, demonstrating at workshops and supporting beginners at smaller gatherings from Boston down through New York, Cape May, New Jersey, and into Philadelphia. During those trips, contact was established with Colleen Kisielewski and Pat Whelan, leading to the creation of the American branch of the club.

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