Category: Classes

Live classes, past, current and future.

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.

    Classes, Past Classes

    2025 Fall 2 | Tues 6:30pm | Irish Set Dancing

    maldonm

    intro

    Welcome to Fall Term 2

    week by week

    SetStepsInter/Advanced
    Week 1:
    11/4    		Learn:
    Long: Lancers (1-5)
    Short: Moycullen (1-4)    		Reel step: up 23’s
    Polka/Jig Step:
    Polka step (down23’s)
    Jig step (down23’s)    		Connemara timing step (practice for next week)
    Week 2:
    11/11    		Learn:
    Short: Claddagh (1-4)    		Up 23’s
    Jig (down 23’s)    		Connemara timing step
    Week 3:
    11/18    		Review:
    Short: Claddagh (1-4)
    Short: Harvest Dance Set (1-4)    		Reel Step: Up 23’s
    Jig/Polka (down 23’s)
    up jigs    		Connemara timing step
    11/21Céilí @ Waverly
    Dance List
    Kilfenora Plain 
    Merchant 
    Lancers
    Moycullen
    Connemara    		Dale & Nell Russ What: 3rd Friday Céilí Who: Band: Dale & Nell Russ, Caller: Maldon Meehan Where: Waverly, 3300 SE Woodward St, Portland, OR 97202
    When: Friday November 21, 7-11pm
    Cost: $15 general, $5 students, under 12 Free
    Week 4:
    11/25    		Learn:
    Half set:
    Kilfenora Plain Set
    Half Set:
    Connemara Reel Set    		Clare Battering
    11/28
    Friday November 28
    6pm
    Columbia Ecovillage Condominium
    4647 NE Killingsworth St, Portland    		Annual Butterball
    A night of friends, community, family, music, dance and song.
    Dance List
    Kilfenora Plain
    Merchant
    Ballyvoruney
    Lancers
    Connemara
    Open tunes/dancing (bands choice)    		Geraldine Murrary
    & Friends
    Dylan Wilde
    Kevin Grgurich
    Brian Hart 
    Amber Milmore
    Phil Meehan
    Maldon Meehan     		Street Parking only
    Portland Cost: Donations encouraged, there will be a donation basket at the door
    Week 5:
    12/2    		Review & Fine tune 1-2 of these:
    Long:
    Kilfenora Plain
    Clare Lancers
    Short:
    Claddagh
    Moycullen
    Antrim Square
    Harvest Dance Set
    Practice Calling: Connemara Reel Set    		Clare Battering
    Week 6:
    12/9    		Review & Fine tune:
    Claddagh
    Uncalled:
    Connemara Reel Set
    If time:
    Kilfenora Plain
    Clare Lancers
    Moycullen
    Antrim Square Set
    Harvest Dance Set    		Connemara Step
    Clare Battering    		Clare Battering
    Week 7:
    12/16    		Prep for the Céilí:
    Merchant
    Lancers
    Ballyvourney
    Connemara 
    Caledonian    		Clare Battering
    12/19Ceili with Django Amerson & Friends
    		Dance List
    Merchant
    Lancers
    Ballyvourney
    Connemara 
    Caledonian    		Where: Waverly, 3300 SE Woodward St, Portland, OR 97202 When: Friday November 21, 7-11pm Cost: $15 general, $5 students, under 12 Free
    Week 8:
    12/23
    Week 9:
    12/30

    playlist

    Playlists

    • Included on this tab:
      • Spotify Playlist for the Term – A collection of tunes that match the sets we’re focusing on.
      • YouTube Playlist – Recordings and performances of the term’s featured set dances.
      • Lessons & Steps Playlist – Short videos of key movements, techniques, and steps for practice between classes.

    Welcome to the Irish Set Dancing Playlists—a collection of resources to help you stay connected with what’s being danced at céilís near and far. Whether you’re preparing for a local dance, a weekend workshop, or a trip to Ireland, these playlists and notes are designed to help you build your repertoire and step confidently into any set.

    Please use these resources to help you better understand the material. It’s not necessary to preview them before or after class, but they’re very helpful tools for remembering—and eventually memorizing—the dances.

    Over the past three months, I’ve been keeping an eye on the dances that Bill Lynch (Set Dancing News) has been posting on YouTube. From that, I noticed a clear trend in which sets are most often danced. I’ll continue to track these through the Fall and Winter months to see if the dances shift or stay the same.

    The goal is to include these popular dances in our 3rd Friday Céilí line up and in class, so that anyone heading to Ireland—or to céilís around the country—will be ready to jump in with confidence and familiarity.

    Below is a list of the sets most often danced recently.

    Most Danced Sets as of October 2025:

    • Connemara
    • Merchant
    • Moycullen
    • Lancers
    • Caledonian
    • West Kerry
    • Sliabh Luachra
    • Ballyvourney Jig
    • Plain
    • Kilfenora
    • Claddagh
    • Corofin

    Danced Less Often:

    • South Galway
    • Ballyduff
    • Cashel
    • Mazurka
    • Labasheeda

    Céilí Formula

    Across the céilís, a common pattern emerged. For a typical three-hour céilí, most programs followed this general flow:

    • 3 shorter sets (2–4 figures)
    • 3 longer sets (5–6 figures)
    • 1–3 couple dances (waltz, jive, or two-step) or a sean-nós dance demo

    Many céilís finish with a lively four-figure dance such as the Connemara Set. Usually there are three sets before the break and three after.

    Music & Video Playlists

    • Spotify Playlist for the Term – A collection of tunes that match the sets we’re focusing on.
    • YouTube Playlist – Recordings and performances of the term’s featured set dances.
    • Lessons & Steps Playlist – Short videos of key movements, techniques, and steps for practice between classes.

    Spotify Playlist for the Term

    Save the playlist on spotify.

    YouTube Playlist

    Save the playlist on youtube

    Lessons & Steps Playlist

    steps

    Steps for the term

    Connemara sets: Connemara Reel Set, Fréres Nantais (Connemara Jig Set), Claddgha Set, Island Sets: Aran Set (Inis Mór) Inis Meáin Set, Inis Oirr Set (sets by county)

    • Connemara (timing step)
    • Heel downs

    Clare Sets: Clare Orange and Green Set, Clare Plain Reel Set, Corofin Plain Set, Clare Plain Polka Set, Kilfenora Plain Set, Lough Graney Set – Full Set & Half Set, Clare Lancers Set, Caledonian Set, West Clare Caledonian Set, Long Caledonian Set, Labasheeda Reel Set, Clare Mazurka set, Paris Set (Labasheeda area), Ballykeale Set, Lakyle Set (early version of Pairs Set), Meelick Polka Set, Mullagh Half Set

    Classes, Irish Set Dancing, Past Classes

    2025 November | Sean-nós Dance & more

    maldonm

    intro

    Welcome to November Online!

    Deep dive into Clare musicians.

    Week by Week

    WoodshedKeep Her LitSpeed & Craic
    Week 13
    Paddy Fahy’s Jig/Sean Ryan’s
    		5
    Priest in his Boots
    The Sunday Set    		7
    Martin Hayes (fiddle)
    Spotify
    Week 210
    The Galway Rambler, The London Lasses

    		12
    Kitty Lie Over / Kitty Lie Over as a Reel
    Clare Battering – Mick Banner Step    		14
    Kitty Hayes (fiddle)
    Week 317
    Mick: Dance At Home from the Step for Sets video    		19
    Clare Battering – Mick $500    		21
    Peadar O’Loughlin (flute)
    Week 424
    The Crooked Road / The Foxhunter’s Reel    		26
    The Sunday Set (Jigs)
    Clare Battering – Aidan    		28
    Paddy Canny (fiddle)

    playlist

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

    • Spotify Playlist – music

    All videos for this months course

    week 1

    Woodshed

    Paddy Fahy’s Jig (also called Fahey’s Favourite, Paddy Fahey’s Jig #1), Sean Ryan’s Jig (also called Gallagher’s, The Lonely, Martin’s)

    Keep Her Lit

    Speed & Craic

    This weeks elements

    • Priest in his Boots
      • jump hop shuffle
      • tip cross
      • side step
      • hop shuffles
      • kick
      • circle
      • grapevine
    • The Sunday Set
      • stamp
      • connemara
      • heel downs
      • shuffle downs
      • double shuffle with heel drop (Madness)
      • toe toe heel
      • cross movements (Ronan)
      • Meave (heel and stab)
      • Mick A & R – 123 | ball drop step | step shuffle drop step, ball drop drop
      • Clare – floor shuffle
      • Tricky – 12 movement, heel heel ball ball (extra beats)
      • Hips
      • Wille heel slap 12 | delay slap | 4/5 heels | Shuffle backs
    • Jig elements
      • 1 beat movements
      • 2 beat movements
      • 3 sound
      • 4 sound

    week 2

    Woodshed

    Keep Her Lit

    Speed & Craic

    week 3

    Woodshed

    Mick’s dance at home step from the steps for sets video. Here are my notes for the Step for Sets video. I was playing around a bunch and found that this track was very nice with the step and slow. It’s a hornpipe, but it sounds great. Mary MacNamara The Humours of Tullycrine / Mikey Callaghan’s (hornpipes)

    11-17-2025 Woodshed Zoom Class Video

    Steps for Sets with Mick Mulkerrin and Mairéad Casey (link to notes)

    Keep Her Lit

    • Paidhin O’Rafferty’s Jig (I think we just did the $500 step)
    • Clare Battering – $500

    Speed & Craic

    week 4

    Woodshed

    In this Zoom class we covered “The Crooked Road / The Foxhunter’s Reel” from Under the Moon by Martin Hayes. Edith noted that this track sits right around 126 bpm.

    About the Album

    “Martin returned to County Clare to record Under the Moon, gaining the accompaniment of his father, famed fiddler P.J. Hayes, and guitarist Steve Cooney. He is also joined by his American musical partners, accordion virtuoso John Williams and Portland guitarist/fiddler Randal Bays. This album contains all the spirit and eloquence of his eponymous debut and adds even more passion. No one can get inside a tune–be it barndance, jig, or reel–like Martin Hayes. Under the Moon is an album that stirs the heart and electrifies the mind!” – (Compas records)

    No wonder the guitar caught my attention so much during class—it’s Randal Bays! He also plays guitar on Martin’s first album. It was a bit hard to hear the guitar clearly on Zoom, so if you can, go back and listen to the recording. It’s just gorgeous. Also I don’t have liner notes anymore and Steve is also on the Album but just from listening I’m pretty sure it’s Randal on that track.

    A Note on Speed

    Katrina asked a great question about tempo: Are we trying to get up to 120 bpm?

    For my own dancing, when I’m at a session, reels are usually a bit slower—often 110–115 bpm. At a céilí, the tempo can be closer to 120 bpm, sometimes a touch faster depending on the musicians.

    On stage, though—and this is where I personally get into trouble—the tempos can really take off. This often happens when I’m invited to hop in on the last tune of the night. The band is warmed up and flying, and if I’m not warmed up or haven’t been practicing at those higher speeds, I can find myself struggling.

    So what I’m really saying is: I like to be prepared for those situations. I want to know what I can comfortably pull off before I’m standing on stage in front of a crowd. If I haven’t been dancing at those tempos for a few months, I can find myself in a bit of a pickle!

    Keep Her Lit

    Speed & Craic | Clare Battering Steps transitions

    Classes, Irish Set Dancing, Past Classes

    Fridays 6:30pm | 2025 Fall | Irish Set Dances and Kitchen Dances

    maldonm

    intro

    Welcome to Fall Term!

    Through structured steps, humor and joy, explore these two Irish social dances with community. As you do, you’ll also learn about the culture from which the dances originated. All levels welcome.

    Fall Term runs October 3 – December 12 (Notes: No class 10/17, 11/7, 11/21, 11/28. No black-soled shoes)

    Course Resources

    Week by Week

    DanceSteps & MovesBackground
    Week 1: 10/3Kitchen Dance:
    The Corn Reeks
    (Na Corn Rigs)    		hop 123
    hop 1234567
    hop back, hop back, hop 123
    house around    		Article in The Irish Times
    Set Dance:
    Connemara Reel Set    		lift 123
    Lead Around / Back
    Advance & Retire
    House Around
    Swing
    Follows Chain
    Week 2:
    10/10    		Kitchen Dances:
    Stack of Barley
    Week 3:
    10/17    		No PCC class
    3rd Friday Céilí @ Waverly
    Week 4:
    10/24    		No PCC class
    Concert @ Waverly
    Week 5:
    10/31    		Set Dance:
    Connemara Reel Set
    Canadian Barndance
    Merchant
    Week 6:
    11/7
    Week 7:
    11/14
    Week 8:
    11/21    		No PCC Class
    3rd Friday Céilí @ Waverly
    Week 9:
    11/28    		No PCC Class
    Butterball @ Kathleen’s
    Week 10:
    12/5
    Week 11:
    12/12

    playlist

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

    history

    History/Background

    Set dancing teacher Padraig Mc Eneany posted a video of the French Lancers. It’s so cool! I’ve always hear about the Irish Set and other squares/sets coming from the orignial French Quadrila but never had the chance to see one. This is well worth watching if you are a set dance nerd. Same but different!

    Barbra and Bret sent this to me and I wanted to share it with all of you:

    • History/Background – this a great video of set dancing on the site. One of the dancers look to me like the late Willie Keane. (the taller lead).

    Kitchen Dance: The Corn Reeks (Na Corn Rigs)

    • In: hop (or drop) 123, hop (or drop) 123 (2x)
    • Out: hop back hop back hop back hop back
    • house: hop 123 (6x), hop back hop back hop back hop back

    connemara

    Connemara Reel Set

    This playlsit has several Connemara dances. The first set is the Connemara Reel Set that we danced in class.

    corn

    Kitchen Dance: The Corn Reeks (Na Corn Rigs)

    • In: hop (or drop) 123, hop (or drop) 123 (2x)
    • Out: hop back hop back hop back hop back
    • house: hop 123 (6x), hop back hop back hop back hop back

    stack

    Stack of Barley

    barndance

    Canadian Barn Dance

    merchant

    Merchant Set

    Classes, Past Classes

    10/2025 Maldon’s Performance Process

    maldonm

    I have a goal of getting back into dance shape and back to preforming. I tought that I would record my process and share it with you.

    Material Samhain Folder

    • W 10/01 – am Class, private lesson, pm Class, prep, listen, 4 hours
    • T 10/02 – Fiddler’s She Performance, listen 4 hours
    • F 10/03 – am class, Melt, Cape Breton, pm class, listen – 4.5 hours
    • S 10/04 – Yoga Nidra, Irish langae, walk, listen – 3.5 hours
    • S 10/05 – walk, listen, 2 hours
    • M 10/06 – am class, accordion, fumble, listen – 4 hours (had AI symptoms) – over did it, off on medication. Had to bring the walker back into the mix, not a good day!
    • T 10/07 rest, sets, listen – 6 hours
    • W 10/08 – am class, open studio – Melt Feet & Melt Lowback, pm class, listen – 3.5 hours
    • T 10/09 – Waltz Clog, stamina, listen – 2 hours
    • F 10/10 – am class, walk – 3 hours
    • S 10/11 – Walk – 1 hour
    • S 10/12 – Melt Feet & Melt Lowback, – 1 hour
    • M 10/13 – am class, open studio,
    • T 10/14 -sets
    • W 10/15 – am class, open studio, pm class
    • T 10/16 –
    • F 10/17 – am class, open studio, céilí
    • S 10/18 –
    • S 10/19 –
    • M 10/20 – am class, open studio,
    • T 10/21 – sets
    • W 10/22 – am class, open studio, pm class
    • T 10/23 –
    • F 10/24 – am class, open studio,
    • S 10/25 – Samhain Festival
    • S 10/26 –
    • M 10/27 – am class, open studio,
    • T 10/28 – sets
    • W 10/29 – am class, open studio, pm class
    • T 10/30 –
    • F 10/31 – am class, open studio,

    Classes, Irish Set Dancing, Past Classes

    Tuesdays 6:30pm | 2025 Fall 1 | Irish Set Dancing

    maldonm

    intro

    Welcome to Fall Term 1!

    Week by Week layout:

    SetBegInter/Adv
    Week 1: 09/23Antrim Square Setup 3’s
    up jig or skip 3’s
    down 3’s
    Kilfenora Plain Setup 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

    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.

    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

    playlist

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

    week 1

    History/Background

    My teacher Padraig Mc Eneany posted a video of the French Lancers. It’s so cool! I’ve always hear about the Irish Set and other squares/sets coming from the orignial French Quadrila but never had the chance to see one. This is well worth watching if you are a set dance nerd. Same but different!

    Barbra and Bret sent this to me and I wanted to share it with all of you:

    • History/Background – this a great video of set dancing on the site. One of the dancers look to me like the late Willie Keane. (the taller lead).

    Steps

    • Reel: up 3’s
    • Jig: up jig or skip 3’s (just like the reel up 3’s but in jig time and maybe more skip)
    • Slide: down 3’s

    Partner Moves

    • Lead around (shoulder hold)
    • Swing (waltz hold)
    • House

    Group Moves

    • Follows star
    • Leads star
    • House around
    • Slide the side (also called Square house)
    • Antrim Square
    • Cross (follows/leads)
    • Little Christmas
    • Swing Corners
    • Slide & Change

    Antrim Square

    Kilfenora Plain Set

    Recourses:

    Steps

    • Reel: up 3’s
    • Advance & Retire: Reels
    • Clare Batter #1
    • Clare Batter #2
    • Clare Batter #3
    • Jig Step – down Jig and Up (for the 7’s only)
    • Up jigs are dances in these figures or dances – Facebook post on up jigs, article on up jigs
      • Antrim Square • Fig 2
      • Ballykeale • Fig 2
      • Birr • Fig 2
      • Boyne • Fig 3
      • Charlestown • Fig 2
      • Clare Orange & Green • Fig 5
      • Clare Plain Reel • Fig 5
      • East Galway • Fig 4
      • Harvest Dance • Fig 1 (video in link)
      • Kilfenora • Fig 5 (up-jig for sevens, down-jig aka polka for the chain)
      • Paris • Fig 4
      • Portmagee • all figures
      • South Galway • Fig 4

    Partner

    • Set & Swing
    • Under the Wing
    • Sevens (up jig)

    Group

    • Follows Chain
    • Under the Wing (tops/sides)
    • Wheelbarrow

    week 2

    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

    week 3

    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

    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

    Week 4

    week 5

    Week 5

    week 6

    Week 6