“My wife makes the best Christmas dinner – just like my mum used to make for her 15 children!”
Céilí dancers Jackie Harvey and Ronán Eastwood
By Ronán Eastwood
This article appeared in the Belfast Telegraph, July 29, 2025 at 09:45 BST
Ronán Eastwood, set dance master, on his perfect weekend…
The best time to get up at the weekend is?
As late as possible... though in reality I’m usually up before everyone else so I can figure out what needs done and how to fit around everyone – or how they can fit around me! Truth be told, it’s not getting up that’s the problem, it’s getting to bed at a decent time the night before.
Breakfast or brunch?
Oh, definitely brunch at my age – it takes a while for all my faculties to kick in! If I’m out, it’s usually eggs in one of the many trendy breakfast spots, or sometimes a good ‘oul greasy fry (never beans!!).
What does an ideal Saturday look like?
A wee swim maybe, some chats, reading the paper, bit of gardening or pottering. I like to look like I’m relaxing, but truth is I get bored very quickly – so maybe a cycle too. If I’m teaching, it could be a morning workshop with plenty of smiling faces.
What would your perfect Sunday be like?
Sunday is paper day, with a pot of tea topped up constantly while I catch up on current affairs and sport – no interruptions, unless I’m the one doing the talking! A GAA match or a céilí would be ideal too – I’d happily travel up to three hours for either.
Do you prefer to be indoors or outdoors?
Definitely outdoors – I love cycling, walking, chatting, and the odd open water swim (mostly to impress those who do it regularly!). It gives the impression I’m into fitness, though I know I could do more. We’ve a big garden that needs year-round upkeep, and in the summer we dance outside at the Titanic Museum every Tuesday – it’s fabulous!
How have weekends changed as you’ve gotten older?
Oh, massively. With four children, I spent years as a taxi driver, part-time coach, and dad on the sidelines – and I really miss that. Now, my weekends are mostly taken up teaching and promoting set dancing as Fear an Tí. It’s a brilliant way to meet people and spread the set dancing gospel.
If you could eat out anywhere tonight in NI, where would you go and why?
I’m happy to eat anywhere and love trying new foods – though I usually just copy what everyone else orders! Favourites include Ben Madigan (Belfast), Rosato’s (Moville), and Deerah (Belfast). Two of my dancers recently recommended Bistro Este and the 3 Cs – they’re next on the list.
What would you have?
Whatever someone else orders – but only after I’ve talked through the whole menu and given my opinion on everything! It depends on my mood, but usually fish, always some form of potatoes, and rarely a dessert.
At weekends you’ll always make time to…
…spend time with family. Bit of a cliché, but it matters. I’m away a lot, so when I’m home I like doing something with my wife and whichever of the kids are around – and interested!
Do you sometimes work at weekends?
Most weekends! Since retiring from commercial banking, I’m fully immersed in set dancing – whether teaching workshops or acting as Fear an Tí or caller at céilís. I especially enjoy teaching beginners – the joy when they finally get the steps is brilliant.
Who would you most like to go for a drink with and why?
Close friends from school, uni, or ones I’ve picked up along the way. It’s great to catch up, have a wee whinge, relive old exploits, invent new ones, and put the world to rights.
What’s your dream Sunday dinner?
My wife makes the best Christmas dinner – just like my mum used to make for her 15 children! These days, she recreates it most Sundays, swapping turkey for chicken or lamb. The real dream is having all our kids home… plus our new grandson.
With whom do you normally eat Sunday dinner and where?
With family, at home, in the dining room.
Too tired to cook — what are you ordering from the takeaway?
Comfort food from the chippy. Though “too tired to cook” doesn’t really apply – I rarely cook! That’s my other half’s domain (he coughs and shifts uncomfortably in his seat).
Heading for the cinema?
A soppy rom-com – brings out my soft side. Plus, it gives me something to chat about with the female population when current affairs or sport don’t quite land!
Staying in… what shows are on the menu?
Documentaries or true stories – I like to keep the aging brain sharp. Recent favourites: Slow Horses, True Crime, Bad Sisters, and I’ve just rewatched The Wire – still brilliant.
Bedtime is?
Despite my best intentions, it’s usually after 10.30 or 11. I wind down with a glass (or two) of red wine and some crackers or nibbles… then immediately regret eating and drinking like that at my age!
Ronán Eastwood teaches set dancing at Belfast TradFest, find out more here