The Cake Dance at Mount Allen Eco Farm, Drumshanbo

An outdoor cake dance was usually held in the afternoon of significant days of celebration in rural communities.

A large cake, specially baked for the occasion, was decorated with flowers before being positioned in an elevated place of honour.

A piper, with his hat laid down beside him, would play for each dancer and after they had finished the dancer would donate coins in the pipers hat.

All ages danced; young and old of all styles. Everyone in attendance would judge who was the best male and female dancer that day.

The two winners would then take down the cake and divide it among the crowd. This was considered a great honor for the winners and the old saying, “that takes the cake” comes from this.

There are written accounts of cake dances being held in Cloone and Drumsna in the early 1800s.

So we’ll do just this along the shores of Lough Allen with piper Padraig McGovern on Easter Sunday at 4pm.

Dancers of all ages and styles welcome to step it out and the dancers need an audience to cheer them on so dress in your Sunday best and make your way to the cake dance.

For more info visit www.leitrimdanceproject.com