This afternoon, we delved deep into the basement of the Irish Rock N’ Roll Museum, to a neon red-lit room whose sound-proofing could not contain the hysterical laughter that ensues when 16 women take on an hour of Irish step dancing.

Our wonderful teacher, Mary Beth Taylor (founder of Irish & Sean-Nós Dance Dublin), tapped, and spun us through two social dances: “The Walls of Limerick” and “Maggie in the Woods.” It’s worth mentioning that Dublin has been experiencing a bit of a heat wave, and that virtually nowhere–including our dance studio–has air-conditioning. Students truly sweat it out. We’re sort of hoping to be spontaneously mass-invited to an Irish wedding in the next week.

Hats off to Mary Beth, whose expertise and cheer could enliven the most leaden left feet.

And also to our fearless Xavier organizers. Kelly and Denise, we couldn’t be here without you, and we wouldn’t want to be.