STEP UP for DANCE

16/09/2026

CROSS BORDER DANCE COOPERATION
Meeting: Sunday 4th. October at 10am

Attending the meeting will be dancers, teachers, promoters, studio and business owners and dance educators.

For Zoom link details: Russell Johnson or
WhatsApp: 00447505146164

Russell Johnson Claire Johnson Kim Somers Sandra Moran Kara Woods House Of Motion Michella Cundelan Philomena Cundelan Golden Dance Awards NI

16/09/2026

Sport has SPORT IRELAND.
Gaelic games have the GAA.
Musicians, cultural institutions and professional artists have the ARTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND.
Community groups have CREATIVE IRELAND

Yet the 100,000-plus people involved in Ireland's grassroots dancing community, dancers, teachers, promoters, clubs, schools and organisations - have no major government-recognised body representing and supporting them.

We must acknowledge that fragmentation within the dance community, and our failure to work together in the past, have contributed to this. But now we have a real opportunity to change that.

STEP UP for DANCE is already communicating with dancers, teachers, promoters and organisations representing at least 32,000 dance enthusiasts. Our next goal is to double that number and, crucially, document the scale of our community.

Whatever style you dance, teach or promote, this is about all of us. By standing together, we can demonstrate that grassroots dance is not a minor activity. It is a major part of Ireland's sporting, social and cultural life - and it deserves recognition, representation and a permanent home.

Please support STEP UP for DANCE, add your voice and help us count the dancing community. Together, we can make the case impossible to ignore.

Kim Somers Sinead Murphy Sandra Moran Angie O Donoghue Gerard Ledwidge Fionnuala Clifton Russell Johnson Maura Martin Best of Ireland Performing Arts Awards Gabriel Catana

16/09/2026

REMINDER💚REMINDER💚REMINDER
Ballet discussion group meet Thursday (tomorrow) 8pm.

For Zoom link contact: Sinead Murphy
or WhatsApp 0833968368

15/09/2026

We’re halfway through our first round of talks with the different dance communities.

Thank you to everyone who has participated so far and shared your thoughts and ideas.

As the numbers continue to grow every day, it has become necessary to hold a second round of talks. Once the first round is completed, we’ll organise a second round of discussions to accommodate our growing dance community.

This will give everyone who missed the first round an opportunity to join the conversation and have their voices heard.

We look forward to connecting with even more members of our dance communities in the next round!

15/09/2026

This morning, it was a pleasure to meet with the Arts Council of Ireland dance department.
STEP UP for DANCE

15/09/2026

SPECIAL NEEDS & DISABILITY DISCUSSION GROUP
"The healing power of dance"

Should you be interested in joining this discussion group please WhatsApp 0833968368 Email: [email protected]

Discussion Group Overview

Special Needs, Disability & the Healing Power of Dance

1 · Purpose

This discussion group will bring together individuals, caregivers, dance teachers to explore how dance and movement can support people with special needs and disabilities in a compassionate, inclusive environment.

2 · Core Topics

Physical and emotional benefits of dance for diverse abilities

Creating safe, welcoming spaces for expression

Adapting movement for wheelchair users, sensory sensitivities, and cognitive differences

Building confidence, connection, and joy through dance

14/09/2026

For the first time in Ireland, STEP UP for DANCE - a new campaign advocating for state recognition and funding, is carrying out comprehensive research into the needs of the dance community.

Following discussions with government representatives, it became clear that the needs of the entire dance community must be thoroughly examined before meaningful dialogue can begin on addressing the obstacles dancers face throughout their lives and careers.

To date, STEP UP for DANCE has consulted representatives from:

Social Dance

Multi-Dance, including Contemporary, Commercial and Hip-Hop

DanceSport, including Ballroom/Standard and Latin

Performing Arts, including Stage and Jazz

Set Dancing

Elite Dancers and Athletes from Ballroom, Latin, Freestyle, Hip-Hop, Irish Dancing and Line dancing

Our next consultation will be with the Ballet community, followed by:

Cross-Border Dance Cooperation
Freestyle and Lyrical Dance
Dancers with additional needs and disabilities
Irish Dancing

This research is an important step towards ensuring that every part of Ireland's diverse dance community is heard, understood and represented.

By working together, we can identify the challenges dancers face and build a stronger, more inclusive future for dance in Ireland.

Your voice matters. Together, we can help shape the future of dance. Please follow, share, comment and like our social media pages.



The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon
Patrick O'Donovan Sport Ireland
Kim Somers Sinead Murphy Best of Ireland Performing Arts Awards Katherine Kelly Gerard Ledwidge Fionnuala Clifton Maura Tynan Russell Johnson Angie O Donoghue Sandra Moran Micheal O Concubhair Wayne Webster

13/09/2026

13/09/2026

This morning's meeting was extremely productive, with many practical suggestions and opportunities for immediate action.

Key priorities

Needs of elite dancers:
Focus on the challenges elite dancers face, particularly in relation to funding, recognition, and professional support.

Recognition as athletes:
Advocate for dancers to be formally recognised as athletes and explore separate funding applications, particularly through Sport Ireland.

Specialist support:
Improve access to sports psychologists and physiotherapists who understand the demands placed on elite dancers.

Facilities and international costs:
Address the lack of suitable training facilities and the high costs associated with international training and competitions.

Immediate fundraising:
Identify and implement successful fundraising models that can generate financial support in the short term.

Social media and visibility:
Increase engagement across social media to raise awareness, build public support, and highlight the achievements and needs of elite dancers.

World Games funding:
Target Sport Ireland funding for major international events, including the World Games, and develop strong applications demonstrating the value and impact of participation.

The immediate priority is to turn these ideas into a coordinated action plan, with clear responsibilities, deadlines, and contributions from all members.

Katherine KellyAudrey KellyJeanette MurrayTadhg WoodsCatherine YatesJohn Edward NolanSandra MoranLibby KellyLily Ann Gabriel CatanaKim SomersSiobhan MurphyMicheal O ConcubhairWayne WebsterTula BuckleyGerard LedwidgeFionnuala CliftonMichelle BarryTasha Merriman ByrneDance IrelandBest of Ireland Performing Arts AwardsGolden Dance Awards NI

11/09/2026

ATTENTION ELITE DANCERS/ATHLETES
DanceSport•Freestyle•Hip Hop•Breaking•Irish•Line dancing

STEP UP for DANCE is hosting a discussion for elite dancers/athletes who travel abroad representing our country and dance clubs at international level.

We need Sport Ireland and the government to recognise the incredible success and international recognition dancers/athletes from Ireland bring to our nation — all achieved without government support, relying solely on our families.

Sunday 13th September at 10am

For Zoom details:
WhatsApp: 083 396 8368
Email: [email protected]

Let's make our voices heard! 🇮🇪💃🕺