Welcome to Fall Term 1!

Week by Week layout:

	Set	Beg	Inter/Adv
Week 1: 09/23	Antrim Square Set	up 3’s up jig or skip 3’s down 3’s
	Kilfenora Plain Set	up 3’s Advance & Retire	Clare Batter #1 Clare Batter #2 Clare Batter #3
Week 2: 09/30	Connemara Reel Set Review: Antrim Square Set Kilfenora Plain Set	up 3’s up jig or skip 3’s down 3’s	Conneamra: Connemara Step Stamp & Stamp Zig Zag or 6 heels Finishing Step Any step from Connemara Steps Course Kilfenora Plain Set Clare Batter #1 Clare Batter #2 Clare Batter #3
Week 3: 10/07	Harvest Dance Set Review: Antrim Square Set	up 3’s skip 3’s down 3’s	Conneamra: Connemara Step Stamp & Stamp Zig Zag or 6 heels Finishing Step Any step from Connemara Steps Course
Week 4: 10/14	Review: Harvest Dance Set Antrim Square Set If time: Kilfenora Plain Set Connemara Reel Set	up 3’s skip 3’s down 3’s Advance & Retires
Week 5: 10/21	West Kerry Review 1-2 of these: Harvest Dance Set Antrim Square Set Kilfenora Plain Set Connemara Reel Set	down23’s up 3’s Advance & Retires
Week 6: 10/28	Clare Mazurka set Review: West Kerry	Polka step – Down23’s
Term 2 Starts: 11/04	New 6 week block!

This first six-week term we’ll dive into the joy of Irish set dancing by learning a new set each week while also reviewing the set from the previous week. This layered approach builds confidence, helps steps and figures settle in, and keeps the dancing lively and fun.

At the 3rd Friday Céilí, we’ll bring it all to life by dancing the sets to live traditional music from both local favorites and visiting musicians. Nothing compares to the energy of a full set moving together with the music — it’s the heart of the tradition!

All levels are welcome. Beginners will learn smooth foundational steps and partner movement, while more experienced dancers will explore battering steps and footwork variations. Each dancer can choose their own level of challenge, and together we’ll create a strong, supportive set on the floor.

To support your dancing between classes, you’ll also have access to:

• A Spotify playlist with music for the term
• YouTube and Vimeo playlists with video references and lessons
• Pre-recorded companion videos focusing on battering for sets. This is a great way to practice on your own or with a partner, and to build confidence in your footwork before bringing it back into the set.

By the end of the term, you’ll have several full sets under your belt, a foundation of smooth steps, and—if you’re ready to push further—a repertoire of battering steps to carry into céilís and beyond.

Fall Term 1 runs September 23 – October 28.

Course Resources

• Spotify Playlist – music for the term
• YouTube Playlist – video references for the term
• Vimeo Playlist – full lessons for the term

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Class Structure

All Dancers / Beginners

Each week, I will teach smooth steps for different tune types. We’ll focus on how to dance these steps with your partner and within the set.

Intermediate / Advanced

I’ve included video lessons of the battering steps. You can choose to work ahead or use them to review after class. In-person, I’ll briefly introduce each battering step, but the real progress will come from your own drilling and practice.

• Battering steps are usually danced between 110–120 bpm.
• Be patient with yourself—when the music feels too fast, switch back to the smooth steps until you’re ready.

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Companion Course

Online: Battering for Sets / Sean-nós Steps

• Class page with Zoom Link and class links
• Course home page – Week 1 & 2 are Clare Battering Steps, Week 3 – Polkas, Slides and Jigs. You will need to login with the login and password that I sent you. If you need it again email or text me maldonmeehan@gmail.com, 971-373-1374 and I will send it on.

This companion Zoom class (with recordings provided) is designed to complement the weekly set dancing course. It focuses on footwork, step practice, and moving with steps.

The material will strengthen your battering and help you feel more confident when dancing in the full set, whether in class or at a céilí.

A great way to build skills at home, on your own or with a partner.

Advance & Retires

On this tab you will find playlists for the music, sets and video lessons for the whole course.

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Week 2

Steps

• Connemara Step – This step can be dances with a hop or a step. I tend to dance it with the step rather than the hop. I takes less energy and I can have more stamina.
• Stamp & Stamp – When I was first incorporating battering steps into the Connemara set I used this step a lot as it allowed me to travel further than the Connemara step. I still use it when I need to cover more distance in a set or traveling across the set.
• Heels or Zig Zag – I love this step for moving sideways. It’s very nice in the back to back movement.
• Finishing Step – This is a great step for dancing the last 2 bars of something. It takes the place of 2 Connemara step and adds a different rythmic pattern.
• Full Connemara steps course – If you want to explore more steps check out the full Connemara Sean-nós course. I often use these steps in the Connemara set as well as the sets from the Aran Isllands.

Partner

• Lead Around/Lead Back
• Swing (céilí hold)
• Advance & Retire
• House

Group

• Follows Chain
• Back to Back
• Little Christmas

Connemara Reel Set

• Printable Connemara Reel Set Callers Notes

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Week 3

Steps

• Up Jig or Skip 3’s
• Down 23’s / Polka step
• Note on steps: this is a fast moving dance and you want to be sure to move with your skip step rather than the small tidy step you might use in other sets. This step covers a lot of ground and is a lively dance.

Partner

• Swing (waltz hold)
• Swing (céilí hold)
• Show the follow
• Gallop
• Stack of Barley

Harvest Dance Set

• Printable callers notes for the Harvest Dance Set

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Here is a kitchen dance or 2 hand dance of the Stack of Barley. It has more moves that we danced in the Harvest Dance Set.

Week 4

• Review:
  • Connemara Reel Set
  • Antrim Square Set
  • Kilfenora Plain Set
  • Harvest Dance Set
• Steps:
  • 3’s – reels, up jigs, down jigs
  • Advance & Retire – reels, jigs
  • Connemara Step
  • Clare Step

Week 5

Week 6