About this workshop

Fáilte ar ais!

Caoimhe Ní Mhaolagáin invites you back to join her in Workshop 3 of Sean-Nós Dancing. This final workshop will be focusing on a learning a lighter style of dance steps, while also practising over all that we have learned so far.  


Go n-éirí libh agus bain taitneamh as!


To begin, the ‘Jump to the side’, is a fun, exciting step that gives you the opportunity to jump to the side moving your whole body…so no stiff bodies! Jumping to the side on the balls of your feet twisting from your hips down, full of energy! This step is mirrored, repeating the same routine on the opposite feet.


Our second step ‘Criss Cross’ is again a step full of energy. Try to focus on standing on the balls of your feet during this step to making jumping and crossing feet that little easier. A longer basic step here with six heels is a challenge but one that can be accomplished! Repeating this step on the same foot twice should help to perfect this lively step.


Step 3 ‘Hop back’s’ is not a step that is seen too often, but that’s what makes it extra special! The slow skips help develop and build up to the faster skips. Remember to skip back bringing your feet to the side, finishing up by repeating the longer basic step with six heel tips.


Now, let’s finish how we started…With plenty of practise of our Basic step, it is important to finish strong so clear, solid heel tips and stamps are the key!

Míle buíochas and please continue to practise your Sean-Nós Dancing!

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction

    • Introduction to Workshop III
  • 2

    Part I

    • Part 1 - Let's learn the Jump to the Side step
  • 3

    Part II

    • Part II - Let's learn the Criss-Cross step
  • 4

    Part III

    • Part III - Let's learn the Hop Backs Skip Backs step
  • 5

    Part IV

    • Part IV - Let's finish with the Basic Step - Lead Around
  • 6

    Final Dance

    • Well done! Now let's dance all the Workshop III steps together!

Sean-nós dance instructor

Caoimhe Ní Mhaolagáin

Caoimhe Ní Mhaolagáin is Dublin-born musician and dancer. Caoimhe comes from a strong musical background which has contributed hugely towards her music and dance. She is a self-taught sean-nós dancer, who has developed her own distinct, original and traditional style from travelling to workshops and festivals around Ireland. Caoimhe has established her own dance school ‘Ceol 's Cos’, teaching music and dance to all ages on a weekly basis across Dublin. Both dance and music have allowed Caoimhe to travel to many countries worldwide, performing at concert venues and festivals such as Paleo Festival in Switzerland, Viljandi in Estonia and Festivale Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany. She has performed as a finalist of TG4's Jig Gig, dancing at Oireachtas na Samhna annually and also has won All-Ireland medals at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Caoimhe has great love for the Irish culture. She also featured on TG4's 'Fiche Bliain ag fás’ and was documented for the TG4 series 'Cúl Stáitse' in 2018. Caoimhe has most recently toured with Preab Meadar. The unique steps and dance patterns created rhythms between voice, fiddle and dance are based on the meters of Gaelic poetry and song. The steps and rhythms created were taught to dancers at performances nationwide at venues and festivals such as Cos Cos Festival, the Dock; Carrick on Shannon, and Oireachtas na Samhna in Citywest, Dublin. Teaching weekly music and dance classes across Dublin to all ages on a weekly basis, Caoimhe loves to embrace and share her passion and grá for our rich Irish culture, dance, music and language.