Author: maldonm

Set Dance Instructions

Set Dance | Armagh Set

maldonm

Youtube Playlist – to see the dance videos you will need to watch them on YouTube. Follow the link to view the full Youtube Playlist.

Classes, Past Classes

2026 Janurary | Maldon’s Practice Journal

maldonm

Practice Videos

January

  • Thu 1/1 – Melt (day1), Weights (full body), Study Armagh Set, Waltz Clog, Accordion
  • Fri 1/2 – Melt (day 2), Waltz Clog, Accordion,
  • Sat 1/3 – Walk
  • Sun 1/4 – Rehearsal with Betsy & Dylan
  • Mon 1/5 – Woodshed, Tune A Day – 1. Haunted House, 2. My Darling Asleep, 3. Club Ceili
  • Tue 1/6 – Accordion lesson, Tue set dance, Women Christmas
  • Wed 1/7 – Keep Her Lit, Tunes with your feet
  • Thu 1/8 – Rest
  • Fri 1/9 – Speed & Craic
  • Sat 1/10 – Sean-nós, Weights (full body)
  • Sun 1/11- Rest
  • Mon 1/12- Melt (day 3), Woodshed, fumble, music for set dancing, Accordion
  • Tue 1/13 – Music lesson, Set Dance, Accordion
  • Wed 1/14 – Melt (day4), Keep Her Lit, Tunes with your feet, Accordion
  • Thu 1/15 – Melt (day 5), Weights (full body), Accordion,
  • Fri 1/16 – Speed & Craic, Accordion
  • Sat 1/17 – Sean-nós
  • Sun 1/18- Rehearsal
  • Mon 1/19- Woodshed, Accordion
  • Tue 1/20 – Music lesson
  • Wed 1/21 – Keep Her Lit, Tunes with your feet, Accordion
  • Thu 1/22 – Weights (full body)
  • Fri 1/23 – Speed & Craic, Accordion
  • Sat 1/24 – Sean-nós
  • Sun 1/25- Rehearsal
  • Mon 1/26- Woodshed, Accordion
  • Tue 1/27- Music lesson, Accordion lesson
  • Wed 1/28 – Keep Her Lit, Tunes with your feet, Accordion
  • Thu 1/29 – Weights (full body)
  • Fri 1/30 – Speed & Craic, Accordion
  • Sat 1/31 – Sean-nós

Melt

Yoga

Classes, Irish Sean-nós Dance, Past Classes

2026 | January | M-W-F | 7:30am | Sean-nós Dance

maldonm

overview

  • Zoom Link
  • Mondays – Woodshed
  • Wednesdays – Keep Her Lit
  • Firdays – Speed & Craic

Week by Week

WoodshedKeep Her LitSpeed & Craic
Week 1579
Haunted House (Jig)Nellies PolkaElaine Reilly
Week 2121416
Lilting: Jose McDermottMick’s A&R as a jig
Nellies Polka
Clare Battering		Lillting
Week 3192123
Boyne Hunt (Reel)Lobster Set Tunes
Course: Lobster Set		Tara Breen
Week 4262830
O’Keefe’s (Slide)Dancing to songsAdrian McAuliffe and Cathal Flood

week 1

Week 1

Week 1579
Haunted House (Jig)Nellies PolkaElaine Reilly

Woodshed

Keep Her Lit

Speed & Craic

week 2

Week 2

Week 2121416

Lilting: Jose McDermottMick’s A&R as a jig
Nellies Polka
Clare Battering		Lillting

Woodshed

Keep Her Lit

Speed & Craic

Mick’s Jig Steps – Elements

Mick’s Jig Steps – to music

week 3

Week 3

Week 3192123
Boyne Hunt (Reel)Lobster Set Tunes
Course: Lobster Set
Mick’s A&R as a jig
Nellies Polka
Clare Battering		Tara Breen

Woodshed

Keep Her Lit

Speed & Craic

week 4

Week 4

Week 4262830
O’Keefe’s (Slide)Dancing to songs
Lobster Set Tunes
Course: Lobster Set
Mick’s A&R as a jig
Nellies Polka
Clare Battering		Adrian McAuliffe and Cathal Flood

Woodshed

Keep Her Lit

Speed & Craic

playlist

Classes, Future Classes, Irish Set Dancing

2026 Irish Set Dancing | A Set A Day

maldonm

JANUARY

  1. Armagh Set Printable: Armagh Set
  2. Lough Neagh Set (revived in America)
  3. Armagh Lancers Set
  4. Antrim Square Set Printable: Antrim Square Set (composed in Australia)
  5. Carlow Set
  6. Cavan Reel Set (described by Kells Set Dancers)
  7. Mullahoran Set
  8. Laragh Set
  9. Munterconnaught Set (Judith McQuaid Cavan Reel)
  10. Clare Orange and Green Set
  11. Clare Plain Reel Set
  12. Corofin Plain Set
  13. Clare Plain Polka Set
  14. Kilfenora Plain Set
  15. Lough Graney Set – Full Set & Half Set
  16. Clare Lancers Set
  17. Caledonian Set
  18. West Clare Caledonian Set
  19. Long Caledonian Set
  20. Labasheeda Reel Set
  21. Clare Mazurka set
  22. Paris Set (Labasheeda area)
  23. Ballykeale Set
  24. Lakyle Set (early version of Pairs Set)
  25. Meelick Polka Set
  26. Mullagh Half Set
  27. Ardgroom Polka Set (West Cork)
  28. Auban Set
  29. Baile Bhúirne Jig Set or Ballyvourney Jig (West Cork)
  30. Baile Bhúirne Reel Set (West Cork)
  31. Ballinascarty Half Set (Southwest Cork)

FEBURARY

  1. Black Valley Square Jig Set (Kenmara Cork/Kerry border)
  2. Borlin Set
  3. Dunmanway Set
  4. The Jenny Lind Set
  5. Newmarket Meserts
  6. Newmarket Plain Set
  7. Skibbereen Set
  8. Sliabh Luachra Set (Kerry/Cork/Limerick)
  9. Ballingeary Jig Set
  10. Borlin Jenny Reel Set
  11. Mealagh Valley Jig Set (West Cork Plain Set)
  12. Merlin Victoria Jig Set
  13. Set of Erin
  14. Victoria Jig Set
  15. Ath A’Caoire Set
  16. Cape Clear Set 
  17. Mealagh Valley Jig Set (west cork)
  18. Sliabh Fraoch Set
  19. West Cork Plain Set
  20. Aghina Jig Set
  21. Allow Set
  22. Coomhola Set
  23. Cork Jig Set
  24. Grenach Set
  25. North Cork Polka Set
  26. Glengarriff Reel Set
  27. Seit Doire Cholmcille (composted by Frank Roddy)
  28. Tory Island Lancers Set

MARCH

  1. Donegal Set
  2. Tory Island Set
  3. Fintown Set
  4. Inisowen Lancers
  5. Down Lancers Set
  6. Down Quadrilles (probably closed to the original first set of Quadrilles from 1816)
  7. Carryduff Set
  8. Narrow Water Set
  9. Dublin Set
  10. Molly Malone Set (Tony Slevin)
  11. Fermanagh Quadrilles
  12. Fermanagh Set
  13. South Galway Reel Set
  14. East Galway Reel Set (short)
  15. East Galway Reel Set (long)
  16. Knocktopher Polka Set
  17. Loughraney Set
  18. Roscahill Set
  19. Williamstown Set (Roscommon-Galway border)
  20. Moycullen Set (revived for competition)
  21. Shrule Set (Mayo / Galway)
  22. Aran Set – Inis Mór recorded by Séamus O Méalóid
  23. Connemara Reel Set
  24. Fréres Nantais (Connemara Jig Set) (originally danced as a half set)
  25. Claddagh Set
  26. Inis Meáin Set
  27. Inis Oirr Set
  28. Black Valley Square Jig Set (Kenmara Cork/Kerry border)
  29. Caragh Lake Jig Set
  30. Glencar Polka Set
  31. Kenmare Polka Set

APRIL

  1. North Kerry Set
  2. Portmagee Jig Set (Meserts)
  3. Sliabh Luachra Set (Kerry/Cork/Limerick)
  4. South Kerry Set
  5. Televara Set (Kerry?)
  6. Valentina Right and Left Set (south kerry) youtube
  7. West Kerry Set
  8. Kilgarvan Polka Set
  9. Sneem Set
  10. Bonane Set
  11. Brandon / Cloghane Set (?)
  12. Lispole Set
  13. North Kerry Plain Set (Kerry / West Limerick)
  14. Ballyhahill Half Set (West Limerick / North Kerry)
  15. Ballyheigue Reel & Set
  16. Ballysteen Half Set (Limerick / Kerry)
  17. Camp Set (John Chambers Kerry)
  18. Foilmore Set
  19. Listowel Set
  20. Mid Kerry Set
  21. Six Crosses Half Set (also can be a full set)
  22. Ballyduff Half Set 
  23. North Kerry Plain Set
  24. Kildare Set
  25. Nass Set (Kildare composted Marie Kelly) 
  26. Allenwood Set
  27. Kilkenny Lancers Set
  28. Kilkenny Quadrilles (Half Set)
  29. Kilkenny Quadrilles (Full Set)
  30. Durrow Threshing Set

MAY

  1. Ballyroan Half Set
  2. Wolfhill Set
  3. Ballyfin Set 
  4. Leitrim Set
  5. Tournafulla Set
  6. Ballycommon Set (East Limerick / Tipperary)
  7. Limerick Orange and Green Set
  8. Sliabh Luachra Set (Kerry/Cork/Limerick)
  9. Dromgarriff Half Set
  10. Hurry The Jug (danced straight though)
  11. Knocknaboul Set
  12. West Limerick Polka Set
  13. Lyratourigh Set
  14. Tournafulla Reel, Jig & Set
  15. Ballinvreenagh Set (Tipperary / Limerick)
  16. Ballyhahill Half Set (West Limerick / North Kerry)
  17. Ballysteen Half Set (Limerick / Kerry)
  18. Longford Set
  19. Longford Set (revised p.123 Apples in Winter)
  20. Rinkinstown Set (John and Sheila McEvoy)
  21. Laois Lancers Set (Maurren Culliton)
  22. Termonfeckin Lancers (John and Sheila McEvoy Mairead Devane)
  23. Ballycroy
  24. Derradda Set
  25. Newport Set (received from the Newport Dancers)
  26. Cuilmore Set
  27. Glencorrib Set (second version in Apples in Winter)
  28. Hollymount Set
  29. Kildownet Half Set (Achill Island)
  30. Mayo Lancers Set
  31. Shramore Set

JUNE

  1. Tyrawley Set
  2. Ballinrobe set
  3. Ballycastle Set
  4. East Mayo Set
  5. Kilmeena Set
  6. Kilrush Caledonian Set
  7. Louisburgh Set
  8. Skirdagh Set
  9. Ardach Set
  10. Garymore Set
  11. Kilmaine Set
  12. Kiltimagh Set
  13. Shrule Set (Mayo / Galway)
  14. Turlough Set
  15. Boherhalagh Set
  16. Inisturk Half Set
  17. Lahardane Set
  18. Meath Half Set
  19. Boyne Set (?)
  20. Slip and Slide Polka Set
  21. Monaghan Set
  22. Gillen Set
  23. Cloghan Set
  24. Killyon Set
  25. Lusmagh Set
  26. Birr Set
  27. Rahan Set
  28. Roscommon Lancers Set
  29. Keadue Lancers Set (Keadue is where O’Carolan is from)
  30. Williamstown Set (Roscommon-Galway border)

JULY

  1. Corballa Set (Gerard Butler, Roscommon)
  2. Shannon Gaels Set
  3. South Sligo Lancers Set
  4. Tubbercurry Lancers Set
  5. Cloonagh Lancers Set
  6. Sligo Set
  7. Ballycomman Set
  8. Castle Set or Cashel Set
  9. Tipperary Lancers Set
  10. Nedinagh Set
  11. Aherlow Set
  12. Ballagh Plain Half Set
  13. Lorrha / Aglish Set (Tipperary / Waterford)
  14. Newcastle Set
  15. Seit Dúrlas Eile (Michael Longhname)
  16. Ballinvreenagh Set (Tipperary / Limerick)
  17. D’Albert’s Set (french dancing master Charles D’Albert)
  18. Templebeg Set
  19. Metal Bridge Lancers Set (Pat Murphy)
  20. Nine Mile House Lancers
  21. Blacktown Set
  22. Melleray Lancers Set
  23. Sliabh GCua Set
  24. Clashmore Set
  25. Lorrha / Aglish Set (Tipperary / Waterford )
  26. Rathgormac Lancer Set
  27. Black Hill Set
  28. Dungarvan Polka Set
  29. Gortroe Set
  30. Dungarvan Half Set
  31. Knockanore Set

AUGUST

  1. Moate Set
  2. Doraheen Set
  3. Wexford Half Set
  4. Ballyduff Set
  5. Coolnabeason Set (Helen Kealy, Waterford)
  6. Kilmyshall Set (Martin Carroll Wexford)
  7. West Waterford Set
  8. Glencree Set
  9. Glengarriff Polka Set (short)
  10. Glengarriff Polka Set (long)
  11. Wicklow Set
  12. Port Fairy Set (Australia) (Fay McAlinden)
  13. The Flight of the Earls set
  14. Antrim Square
  15. Seit Doire Cholmcille (Frank Roddy)
  16. Ibiza Set (Mick Kelly and Maureen Halpin)
  17. Limerick Tumblers Set (Terry Moylan)
  18. Molly’s Waltz Cotillion (Fay McAlinden)
  19. Seit Dúrlas Eile (Michael Longhname)
  20. Borrowed Set (Paul Carr)
  21. Camp Set (John Chambers Kerry)
  22. Canberra Crooked Chain Set (Paul Carr)
  23. Casuarina Waltz Quadrille (John Short)
  24. Charlestown Set (Julia Smith)
  25. Coolnabeason Set (Helen Kealy, Waterford)
  26. Drumbo Lancers Set (Teresa Quigg)
  27. Corballa Set (Gerard Butler, Roscommon)
  28. Hunter Valley Set (James Garner)
  29. Kavaneg Set (Jean-Luc Béguignon
  30. Kilmyshall Set (Martin Carroll Wexford)
  31. Lucan Set (Tom Casserly)

SEPTEMBER

  1. Merchant Set (Padraig McEneany)
  2. Rinkinstown Set (John and Sheila McEvoy)
  3. Southern Cross Set (Des Jackson)
  4. Ainsworth Set (Charlie Kiely 2017)
  5. An Sean Chistin Set (Maureen Culleton)
  6. Ardbraccan Set (Willie Farnhan)
  7. Ardcar Set (Ashley Ray and Dany richard)
  8. Barnane Jig Set (? Pat? Composed 2017 and presented at Connie Ryan Set Dancing Weekend 2018)
  9. Battle of Affane Set (Amie Landers)
  10. Carrowbeg Set (Pat Murphy?)
  11. Croisloch Set (Padraig McEneany)
  12. Cross of the Commons Set (Joan Pollard Carew)
  13. Five Books Set (Paul Carr)
  14. Foxhunters Set (Maura Tynan)
  15. Heiligenberg Set (Sonke Speck)
  16. Jack Canny Half Set (Nora Stewart)
  17. Laois Lancers Set (Maurren Culliton)
  18. Lough Allen Set (Pat Murphy)
  19. Manchester Set (Charlie Kiely)
  20. Metal Bridge Lancers Set (Pat Murphy)
  21. Molly Malone Set (Tony Slevin)
  22. Sceilg Rock Set (Muiris Ó Briain)
  23. Seit Chamuis (Seamus Ó Mealóid)
  24. Sidmouth Set (Gerard Butler)
  25. Termonfeckin Lancers (John and Sheila McEvoy Mairead Devane)
  26. Wessex Set (Basingstoke Set Dancers)
  27. Harvest Dance Set
  28. Inverness South Square Set
  29. Souris Set
  30. Lot Seven Set

OCTOBER

  1. Truro Waltz Quadrilles
  2. Cleveland Set (dancers from Mayo and Galway)
  3. Waltz Cotillion
  4. Pride of Erin
  5. Royal Cotillion
  6. Cratone Set (?)
  7. Cúchulainn Set (?)
  8. Nass Set (Kildare composted Marie Kelly) 
  9. Australian Half Set (thought to have Irish roots)
  10. Port Fairy Set (Australia / Northern Ireland)
  11. Long Island Set (Mayo / Long Island / lively west of Ireland style)
  12. Cuirassiers Set (Michael Tubridy & Brooks Academy original from manuscript English)
  13. Arcades of Bologna Set 
  14. Blackglen Set – Betty McCoy, Maira O’Leary, Michael Tubridy
  15. Casteletown Set (2020 Pat Murphy?)
  16. Iveragh Millenium Set (Matt Joe O’Neill)
  17. Laniuish Set (Mairéad Casey, Michelle Casey, Johnnie & Maura Duffy)
  18. Limestone Plain set (Paul Wayper)
  19. Old Mill Lancers (Pat Murphy)
  20. Ormond Set (Pat Murphy)
  21. Philadelphia Set 
  22. Rimini Set

Classes, Future Classes

2026 Playing Tunes with Your Feet

maldonm

JANURARY

  1. Haunted House – TheSession.org –
  2. My Darling Asleep
  3. Club Ceili
  4. Little Diamond Polka
  5. Murroe Polka
  6. Maids of Ardath
  7. Boyne Hunt
  8. Shannon Breeze
  9. Red Haired Lass
  10. Humours of Glendart
  11. Saddle the Pony
  12. Tobin’s Favourite
  13. Tulla Reel
  14. Skylark
  15. Roaring Mary
  16. Brosna Slide
  17. O’Keefe’s
  18. Dennis Murphy’s
  19. Maid Behind the Bar
  20. Kilmaley
  21. Green Moutain
  22. Britches Full of Stictches
  23. Armagh Polka
  24. Ballydesmond No. 3
  25. Geese in the Bog
  26. Connachtman’s Rambles
  27. Out on the Ocean
  28. Miss McCleod
  29. Mary Blacksmith
  30. Sally Gardens
  31. Jerry’s Beaver Hat

FEBRUARY

  1. Kesh Jig
  2. Rambling Pitchfork
  3. Sonny’s Mazurka
  4. Shoe the Donkey
  5. Jackie Coleman’s
  6. Moutain Road
  7. Gregg’s Pipes
  8. Queen of the Fair
  9. Pay the Reckoning
  10. Carraroe Jig
  11. Sheehan’s
  12. Cameronian
  13. Foxhunters
  14. Lark in the Morning
  15. Humours of Ennistymon
  16. Wandering Minstrel
  17. Boys of Bluehill
  18. Cork Hornpipe
  19. Cronin’s Hornpipe
  20. Earl’s Chair
  21. Tim Maloney’s
  22. Ships are Sailing
  23. Beltable Waltz
  24. Trip to Athlone
  25. Langstrom’s Pony
  26. Sackow’s Jig
  27. Concertina Reel
  28. Come West Along the Road

MARCH

  1. Anderson’s
  2. Brendan Tonra’s
  3. Kilavil
  4. Ship in Full Sail
  5. Ballydesmond No. 2
  6. Ballydesmond No. 1
  7. Peg Ryan’s
  8. Silver Spear
  9. Father Kelly’s
  10. Miss Monaghan
  11. Jim Ward’s
  12. Blarney Pilgrim
  13. Cook in the Kitchen
  14. Sonny Murray’s
  15. Home Ruler
  16. Kitty’s Wedding
  17. Tabhair Dom do Lamh
  18. Joe Cooley’s
  19. Wise Maid
  20. Bird in the Bush
  21. Dusty Windowsills
  22. Cliffs of Moher
  23. Rose in the Heather
  24. John Doherty’s Mazurka
  25. Vincent Campbell’s
  26. Drowsie Maggie
  27. Glass of Beer
  28. Toss the Feathers (Em)
  29. Toss the Feathers (D)
  30. Morning Lark
  31. Joe Cooley’s Jig

APRIL

  1. Tom Billy’s
  2. Long Note
  3. Teetotaller
  4. St. Anne’s
  5. London Lasses
  6. Kid on the Moutian
  7. Jim Morrison’s
  8. Leitrim Jig
  9. Bank of Ireland
  10. Woman of the House
  11. Kerry Reel
  12. Lilting Banshee
  13. Haste to the Wedding
  14. Maid on the Green
  15. Over the Moor to Maggie
  16. Lady Ann Montgomery
  17. Maude Millar
  18. The Frost is All Over
  19. The Eavesdropper
  20. Sixpenny Money
  21. Sweeney’s Polka
  22. Dennis Murphy’s
  23. Maggie in the Woods
  24. Salamanca
  25. Banshee
  26. Sailor’s Bonnet
  27. Garrett Barry’s Jig
  28. Michael Hynes’
  29. The Boys of the Town
  30. Sailor on the Rock

MAY

  1. The Hare’s Paw
  2. Sunny Banks
  3. The Kerry Jig
  4. Lad O’Beirne’s Jig
  5. The Bush on the Hill
  6. Jenny Picking Cockles
  7. Jenny’s Wedding
  8. Jenny’s Chickens
  9. Tar Road to Sligo
  10. The Maid in the Meadow
  11. Behind the Haystack
  12. Ryan’s Slip Jig (The Blackhaired Lass)
  13. Drops of Brandy (G)
  14. The Foxhunt
  15. Old Kilfenora Jig
  16. The Hole in the Bridge
  17. Flower of the Burren
  18. Memories of Ballymote
  19. Gurteen Cross
  20. Waves of Tory
  21. Cup of Tea
  22. The New Copperplate
  23. The Old Copperplate
  24. The Tongs of the Fire
  25. Strike the Gay Harp
  26. Willie Coleman’s
  27. Donegal Reel
  28. The Peeler’s Jacket
  29. Trip to Durrow
  30. O’Callaghan’s
  31. Plains of Boyle

JUNE

  1. Rights of Man
  2. Maids of Mount Cisco
  3. Sligo Maid
  4. Swallow’s Tail
  5. Bill Collins’ Jig
  6. The Kilmovee Jig
  7. The Cobbler
  8. Kitty Gone a’Melking
  9. College Groves
  10. Green Fields of America
  11. Jackson’s Morning Breeze
  12. Christy Barry’s No. 1
  13. Christy Barry’s No. 2
  14. Swinging on the Gate
  15. The Tinker’s Daughter
  16. The Hunter’s House
  17. The Luck Penny
  18. Pipe on the Hob No. 1
  19. Pipe on the Hob No. 2
  20. Connemara Stickings
  21. Jim McCormicks
  22. The Clougher Reel
  23. Star Above the Garter
  24. Johnny Mickey’s Slide
  25. Dingle Regatta
  26. Health to the Ladies
  27. The Rambler
  28. When Sick, is it Tea You Want?
  29. Martin Wynne’s No. 1
  30. Martin Waynne’s No. 2

JULY

  1. Marin Wyanne’s No. 3
  2. Brian Boru’s March
  3. Stone of Destiny
  4. Chicago Reel
  5. Castle Kelly
  6. Humours of Ballyconnell
  7. The Lilting Fisherman
  8. Tell Her I Am
  9. Going to the Well for Water
  10. Terry Teehan’s
  11. John Egan’s
  12. John Walsh’s
  13. Shaskeen Reel
  14. My Love is in America
  15. Tom Ward’s Downfall
  16. Paddy’s Return
  17. Kilfenora Jig No. 2
  18. Kilfenora Jig No. 3
  19. Traver’s Reel
  20. Bucks of Oranmore
  21. Duke of Leinster
  22. The Battering Ram
  23. Humours of Drinagh
  24. Gillian’s Apples
  25. New Policeman
  26. Lad O’Beirne’s
  27. Wind That Sakes The Barley
  28. Lucy Farr’s Barn Dance
  29. Stack of Barley
  30. Same Say the Devil is Dead
  31. Cronin’s (Speed the Plough)

AUGUST

  1. Tommy People’s
  2. Galtee Rangers
  3. Off to California
  4. Liverpool
  5. Murphy’s
  6. Tabolton
  7. Longford Collector
  8. Sailor’s Bonnet
  9. Devanney’s Goat
  10. Galway Rambler
  11. Last Night’s Fun
  12. Mug of Brown Ale
  13. Leg of the Duck
  14. Munster Buttermilk
  15. Mckeown’s Polka
  16. The Banks of Lough Gowna
  17. The Gold Ring
  18. Tommy Mulhaire’s Jig
  19. Dick Sherlock’s Reel
  20. The Morning Star
  21. Lady on the Isalnd
  22. Derry Hornpipe
  23. Kit O’Mahony’s
  24. The Galway Hornpipe
  25. Johnny I Do Miss You
  26. Tripping to the Well
  27. Bill Sullivan’s Polka
  28. Old Kilfenora Jig
  29. Club Céilí
  30. Jim Ward’s Jig
  31. George White’s Favourite

SEPTEMBER

  1. The Boys of Malin
  2. The Gravel Walk
  3. A Nation Once Again
  4. Clare Dragoons
  5. Tulla Polka
  6. Siege of Ennis
  7. Knockabower Polka
  8. Doon Reel
  9. Moutain Top
  10. Fred Finn’s
  11. Kathleen Hehir’s Slide
  12. Merrily Kiss the Quaker
  13. The Weavers
  14. Around the Fairy Fort
  15. The New Broom
  16. If There Wern’t Any Women in the World
  17. Kinnegad Slashers
  18. The Blackthorn Stick
  19. Scotsman Over the Border
  20. The Old Blackthorn
  21. Moss Banks
  22. Jim Donohue’s
  23. Shandon Bells
  24. Father Kelly’s
  25. I Buried My Wife & Dances On Her Grave
  26. Farrel O’Gara
  27. O’Rourkes
  28. Irish Girl
  29. Christmas Eve
  30. Killavail Reel

OCTOBER

  1. Boys of Ballysodare
  2. Austin Tierney’s
  3. Rattigan’s
  4. John Brennan’s
  5. Paddy Clancy’s
  6. Machos Snap’s
  7. Paddy Taylor’s
  8. Dick Gossip’s
  9. Limestone Rock
  10. Boys of Ballinahinch
  11. The Fairy Queen
  12. Good Natured Man
  13. Belfast Hornpipe
  14. Micho Russell’s Slide
  15. The Priest
  16. Joe Bane’s Reel
  17. Cat’s Ram bles to the Child’s Saucepan
  18. Lucy Campbell’s
  19. The Boys of 45
  20. Top of the Maol
  21. Scataglen Polka
  22. Leitrim Polka
  23. Pigeon On the Gate
  24. Flogging Reel
  25. Tie the Bonnet
  26. Caileach An Airgid
  27. Bride’s Favourite
  28. Julia Clifford’s
  29. Holly Bush
  30. Fermoy Lasses
  31. Sporting Paddy

NOVEMBER

  1. Fanny Power
  2. Sí Bean Sí Mór
  3. Contentment is Wealth
  4. Father O’Flynn
  5. I Will If I Can
  6. Crowley’s No. 1
  7. Crowley’s No. 2
  8. Blackberry Blossom
  9. Keel Row Fling
  10. High Road to Linton
  11. Green Grow the Rushes
  12. Mulqueen’s Reel
  13. Little Bag of Spuds
  14. Charlie Harris’s
  15. Kilfenora Slide
  16. John Joe’s
  17. Stone of Destiny
  18. Road to Garrison
  19. Lurgdán Jig
  20. Mist Covered Moutain
  21. Eddiy Moloney’s Jig
  22. The Otter’s Holt
  23. Music in the Glen
  24. The Virginia Reel

Classes, In-Person

12.15.2025 Workshop: Playing for Irish Set Dances | The Kilfenora Reel Set

maldonm

intro

Welcome!
On this page you’ll find resources and links to accompany the workshop Playing for Irish Set Dances | The Kilfenora Plain Set, hosted by Maldon Meehan and Betsy Branch.

This workshop is part of a series leading up to the 3rd Friday Céilí on May 15th. For this céilí we’ll have an open band, and we’re inviting both adult and youth musicians to join us. You’re welcome to play for any of the sets, whether or not you’ve attended the workshops.

During the workshops we’ll be crowd-sourcing tunes from participants and finding common repertoire that suits the dances, the regional styles, and the lift of each set or county. We are delighted to be teaching this series and genuinely excited to see what grows from this project.

When it comes to set dancing, sometimes it’s the player who makes the dance—and sometimes it’s the tune itself. More often than not, it’s both.

On this resource page are a few links and examples of music and musicians for the Kilfenora Plain Set and for Clare set dancing in general.

Right now our workshop is focused on the Kilfenora Plains Set, but some of these tunes can also work nicely for other Clare sets.

  • Kilfenora Plain – Clare
  • Caledonian – Clare
  • Clare Plain – Clare
  • Corofin Plain – Clare
  • Lancers – Clare
  • Mazurka – Clare
  • Labasheeda – Clare

playlists

I have extensive Spotify and YouTube playlist resources available. You’ll find direct links to the Clare and Kilfenora resources if you’d like to save them to your own accounts. They’re also embedded here so you can play them right on this page.

recources

Recources:

Set in General Dancing:

  • Most Popluar Set dances as of October 2025
  • List of All The Set dances by county – Links in the document take you to the instructions for the dance and in some cases sugested tunes for the dances. Very much work in progress and overwhelming, but it’s great to see them arranged by county.
  • Clare Resources – links to musicians, music and video playlists. This document has direct links to current bands playing fo rthe Connemara set and more.
  • Irish dance styles and tune types -All the types of Irish dance.
  • Nerdy spreadsheet of # of bars and tune combinations – might be help full for picking out bar lenghts that don’t line up well. 
  • Dance Minder – Michael Harrison’s site. The most comprenhinsive collection of Irish set dance insgructions wiht links to videos, instructions and musicial recourses.

Kilfenora Set – Callers notes, links and more. This is a document that I use when calling and teaching the Kilfenora Plain Set. You will see this dance writen as “Kilfenora”, The Kilfenora Plain Set and Kilfenora Plain. It’s all the same set.

Clare Dancers:

tunes

Kilfenora Plain Set

Folder “Music for May 15 Ceili.” – all practice recordings can be found in this folder.

Céilí Bands

Links go directly to where they are dancing/playing the Kilfenora Plain Set if you want to dive into the dances more. The tunes are not listed, but you may know some of them and want to included them in your own Connemara set list. Please let us know tunes you find.

    Classes, In-Person

    11.17.2025 Workshop: Playing for Irish Set Dances | The Connemara Reel Set

    maldonm

    intro

    Welcome!
    On this page you’ll find resources and links to accompany the workshop Playing for Irish Set Dances | The Connemara Reel Set, hosted by Maldon Meehan and Betsy Branch.

    This workshop is part of a series leading up to the 3rd Friday Céilí on May 15th. For this céilí we’ll have an open band, and we’re inviting both adult and youth musicians to join us. You’re welcome to play for any of the sets, whether or not you’ve attended the workshops.

    During the workshops we’ll be crowd-sourcing tunes from participants and finding common repertoire that suits the dances, the regional styles, and the lift of each set or county. We are delighted to be teaching this series and genuinely excited to see what grows from this project.

    When it comes to set dancing, sometimes it’s the player who makes the dance—and sometimes it’s the tune itself. More often than not, it’s both.

    On this resource page are a few links and examples of music and musicians for the Connemara Set and for Connemara-style dancing in general—whether you’re playing for a sean-nós dancer or for other sets.

    Right now our workshop is focused on the Connemara Reel Set, but these tunes can also work nicely for other Connemara dances:

    • Connemara Reel Set
    • Connemara Jig Set
    • Aran Set
    • Inis Oírr
    • Inis Meáin
    • Claddagh Set

    All of these traditions can share the Connemara step—or a close cousin of its rhythm and lift—which means the same core repertoire can give dancers that shared pulse and drive that makes them want to dance their Connemara steps.

    playlists

    I have extensive Spotify and YouTube playlist resources available. You’ll find direct links to the Connemara resources if you’d like to save them to your own accounts. They’re also embedded here so you can play them right on this page.

    recources

    Recources:

    Set Dancing

    • Dance Minder – Michael Harrison’s site. The most comprenhinsive collection of Irish set dance insgructions wiht links to videos, instructions and musicial recourses.

    Connemara Set – Callers notes, links and more. This is a document that I use when calling and teaching the Connemara Reel Set. You will see this dance writen as “The Connemara Reel Set”, The Connemara Set, The Connemara and Connemara. It’s all the same set.

    • Connemara Set
      • Figure 1 Reels 160 bars
      • Figure 2 Reels 192 bars
      • Figure 3 Reels 184 bars
      • Figure 4 Maggie in the Woods 96

    tunes

    Connemara Reel Set

    Folder “Music for May 15 Ceili.” – all practice recordings can be found in this folder.

    From Betsy: To sum up, here’s where each tune goes for the Connemara dance.  Each set has 2 recordings:  84 bpm, and 108 bpm (for the reels) or 116 bpm )for the polka).

    Figure 1: Miss McCloud’s (G) 3x / Miss McCloud’s (A) 2x

    **Note on Miss McCloud’s:  there are millions of versions of this!  I chose an opening phrase that I heard on lots of recordings of dances.  This tune is much easier in G if you play whistle or flute. It’s much easier in A if you are a fiddler.  So that’s why both keys are represented!  Whatever version you play will be fine.  (For you whistles and flutes, I recorded the 1st time through in A with no G#’s.  In case you want a variation that works without that note!)

    Figure 2:  New Mown Meadow (Em/A) 3x / Silver Spear (D) 3x

    Figure 3: Miss Monahan’s (D) 2x / Humours of Tulla (D) 4x / Miss Monahan’s (D) 1.75x (AAB)

    Figure 4:  Maggie in the Woods (G) 3x

    Enjoy, and let me know if I screwed anything up!  

    Céilí Bands

    links go directly to where they are dancing/playing the Connemara Set if you want to dive into the dances more. The tunes are not listed, but you may know some of them and want to included them in your own Connemara set list.