CEILIDHS (also known as BARN DANCES) are great social mixers especially for corporate events, great levellers too. If you have a group with a large span of ages or abilities this is the perfect entertainment / activity. There is so much fun to be had with an experienced caller who can teach dances that provide enough interest and variety without seeming hard to learn.
Because of the constant changing of partners it is a great way to get everyone talking and mixing. I create short breaks after each pair of dances, giving people a chance to finish a conversation or get a drink and to keep mixing them up.
I can also include a session of solo Line Dances; especially useful when only the ladies want to dance and the men have disappeared to the bar. Using well known country hits and a few easily taught moves we quickly get a group dancing and having fun. My wife Carole dances in the front line while I call the moves so that there is someone to follow. We find that it works well.
You can wear anything from smart to smart casual to old jeans but best to state the style on the invitations so that everyone is comfortable.