Musicians and dancers were among the 10 people from Pembrokeshire who travelled to the Ballyhoura area of Ireland to learn how Irish communities foster and support their heritage of music, dance and storytelling. The study visit was arranged by PLANED, the Pembrokeshsire Local Action Network for Enterprise and Development, as part of a Leader+ EU funded project on how to increase the involvement of communities in the celebration of local heritage and culture. The group, who were part of a transnational study visit to Ireland, which included groups from Spain, Slovenia and Scotland, attended a storytelling festival at Loch Gur and visited a 'Rambling House' - the name for a community hall used for music, dancing and storytelling sessions. The group met community members to hear how even in the smallest communities there can be thriving amateur dramatic and music events. There was also a meeting with Comhaltas, the organisation set up in the 1950s, to promote Irish music and culture, about their way of encouraging children to learn traditional music, either playing an instrument or dancing. It was explained how the success of Comhaltas was a key part in the emergence of the Irish identity as a country full of music, dance and storytelling. As part of this 'Experience Pembrokeshire' project, PLANED are arranging a series of workshops for those who would like to learn our traditional folk dancing and for musicians keen to learn traditional music. A collection of old Pembrokeshire folk songs, recently discovered in St Fagan's folk museum, have been learnt by a group of musicians in Crymych as part of this project. Storytelling workshops are also being arranged. If you would like to hear these folk songs or have a workshop in your community, please get in touch with Merrill Mabey at PLANED on 01834 860965.