23rd - 26th April 2026

Set Dance Weekend in Prague

Thank you

We couldn’t have done it without you! 🫶

Huge thanks to everyone who came, helped, taught, played, danced, performed, handled sound, took photos, baked, washed mugs, carried things, tuned the details and created the warm atmosphere of the whole weekend.

Group photo of Set Dance Weekend in Prague participants

Thursday evening

Warm-up party in Podskalí

On Thursday the band Swallow's Tail, the teachers Carol and Kevin Monaghan and the first visitors arrived. In the evening we met at U Bráchy, had something good to drink, caught up and played a few tunes.

Morning and afternoon

Preparing the hall

Thank you, everyone! 🙌 💪

Afternoon workshop

New sets with Carol and Kevin

Carol and Kevin Monaghan taught us the Cloonadiveen set from County Sligo. We were honored to have an incredible 13 sets at the workshop. Thank you, everyone!

Evening

Opening of the traveling exhibition

On Friday, at the start of the ceilí, we opened the traveling panel exhibition UNESCO Ireland & the Top 10 Most Visited Places in Ireland. The large-format photographs stayed on display throughout the weekend. Thank you to Ing. Jiří Králík for the lovely cooperation and for lending us the exhibition.

Evening

Welcome ceilí with Swallow's Tail

Right after the exhibition opening, the wonderful Swallow's Tail (Maria Lynn, John McHugh, Michael Hurley, Thomas Doherty) kicked off the dancing. We danced Connemara, Glencree, Treacle Town, Merchant, Labasheeda, Cashel, Boyne and Corofin. Thanks to Kevin for calling the sets so well. And many thanks to Michael Cusack for calling the Boyne set for us.

Morning workshop

Battering workshop with Tereza

With Tereza Macoszek Jindrová we gave both feet and heads something to work on myelination. 🤯 We worked on how feet respond to rhythm and music, which is exactly the sort of thing that pays off at a ceilí. There was a lot of focus in the room and by the end it sounded lovely. 🤩 We even slipped into one variation of a favourite Connemara step and got it nicely into rhythm.

Sunny noon

Lunch break

The weather was kind, so lunch worked just as well in the park as by the river.

Afternoon workshop

New set dances with Carol and Kevin

Carol and Kevin Monaghan taught us the sets Rockfield House from County Meath and Camus and Kilcoona from County Galway. All of them were lovely to dance.

At sunset

Evening ceilí with Swallow's Tail

Swallow's Tail played the best tunes and Kevin called all the dances brilliantly. We danced: Kilfenora, South Kerry, Rinkinstown, Rockfield House, Ballyvourney Jig, Claddagh, West Kerry, Mazurka and Clare Lancers. And at the end, extra-long freestyle reels just for the joy of it.

By moonlight

Midnight session

Great sean nós and step dancing, polkas in front of the stage, beautiful songs, even one in Chinese. We enjoyed a fantastic New Mown Meadows, Mouse in the Kitchen, Kings of Kerry, great Sligo polkas and plenty more.

Morning

Workshop with Carol and Kevin

Carol and Kevin helped us polish the details in the Black Valley Square Jig and Skibbereen sets.

A souvenir to take home

Tea towels with the set dance map

Throughout the weekend, new tea towels were available with a beautiful map print showing many Irish set dances placed where they belong. Thanks to Carol and Kevin for the idea and for the huge help with placing all the sets. It worked beautifully! 🗺️ Few towels left, if you want one, write us.

Afternoon

Farewell ceilí with Swallow's Tail

At the farewell ceilí we still danced Caledonian, Borlin Polka, Moycullen, Skibbereen, Kilcoona, Moate, Black Valley Square Jig and Plain Set. During the break, our Hustosetaři performed a Sean Nós choreography with the children. We were so happy that the children were brave enough to perform in front of a full hall and show what they can do. You were brilliant. 🥳 Once again, many thanks to Swallow's Tail and Carol and Kevin for everything. We enjoyed it so much. It was wonderful!