Síobhan O'Brien
Senior Dance Events Editor
14 years curating authentic Latin dance experiences across Ireland. From intimate salsa socials in Dublin to seasonal festivals along the Wild Atlantic Way, Síobhan connects mature dancers with the events that matter most.
What I Know
Over a decade of hands-on experience in the Latin dance scene across Ireland.
Salsa & Bachata Events
I've attended over 200 dance events across Ireland. Salsa socials, bachata weekends, and everything in between. I know the venues, the instructors, and which nights work best for 45+ dancers.
Ireland's Dance Geography
From Dublin's Southside socials to Wexford's weekend intensives, from Wild Atlantic Way summer gatherings to Galway and Sligo's seasonal festivals. I know what's happening where, and when.
Community Connections
Relationships with event organizers, venue owners, and dance instructors across the country. When I recommend something, I've spoken with the people running it.
Event Curation
14 years organizing cultural events, with 10+ years focused exclusively on Latin dance. I know what makes an event work—the timing, the music, the right crowd mix.
45+ Dancer Focus
My specialty isn't just dance—it's creating spaces where people in their 40s, 50s, and beyond feel welcome, confident, and genuinely connected to the community.
Practical Guidance
I don't just list events. I explain what to expect, what level you need, how welcoming each space is, and whether it's the right fit for your experience and goals.
How I Got Here
My path to becoming Ireland's dance events specialist wasn't a straight line—but it all makes sense now.
Event Management Degree
Completed my degree at Dublin Institute of Technology. I thought I'd end up running corporate conferences and hotel events. Life had other plans.
First Salsa Social
I attended my first salsa social on Dublin's Southside completely by accident—a friend dragged me along. Walked in thinking I'd hate it. Walked out thinking about nothing else for weeks. That room full of mature dancers, the energy, the community—something clicked.
Hospitality & Corporate Events
Spent years organizing events—weddings, conferences, corporate dinners. Paid the bills. Built skills. But I was always going to dance socials on weekends. Always reading about festivals. Always wishing I could focus on this instead.
Deep Dive into Dance
Started attending events regularly. Not just as a dancer—as an observer. I began documenting what I was learning, who was running what, where the gaps were. I danced with instructors. I talked to organizers. I started seeing patterns in what worked and what didn't.
Full Focus on Dance Curation
The pandemic paused everything. When things restarted, I made the leap. I wanted to spend my days helping people discover what I'd discovered—that joy, community, and genuine transformation waiting in Ireland's dance scene. Joined lockaid Limited to make it happen properly.
Why This Matters to Me
I've watched it happen dozens of times now. Someone walks into a salsa social in their late 40s or early 50s, nervous, wondering if they belong. By the end of the night—sometimes just 20 minutes in—something shifts. They're laughing. They're moving. They're connecting with people they've never met. That transformation is real. It's not hype.
The thing is, finding the right event matters. A crowded Dublin nightclub packed with 20-year-olds dancing salsa? Completely different experience than a structured weekend in Wexford with instructors who know exactly how to work with mature dancers. One's intimidating. The other's inviting. Both have salsa. Neither feels the same.
My job isn't to tell you what to think about dancing. It's to help you find the events that'll actually work for you. That means being honest. If a venue is beginner-friendly, I'll say so. If you need some dance experience to enjoy something, I won't pretend you don't. If a festival is worth traveling for, I'll tell you exactly why. And if something's mediocre, you won't find it in my recommendations—there's too much genuinely great stuff happening across Ireland to waste your time.
I believe mature dancers deserve spaces designed for them. Not apologetically. Not as an afterthought. But intentionally. Venues that understand the pace we prefer, instructors who know how to teach bodies with actual life experience, events that celebrate the fact we're coming to this with curiosity and confidence, not insecurity.
"I don't just list events. I help people find the experiences that'll genuinely change how they see themselves and their community."
Background & Training
Education, certifications, and professional experience that shaped my work.
Degree in Event Management
Senior Dance Events Editor
200+ Events Attended
14 Years Experience
45+ Dancer Programming
Full Ireland Coverage
My Focus Areas
The specific topics I cover in depth across Ireland's dance scene.
Salsa Socials in Dublin
I've danced at venues across Dublin—Southside, city center, northside. I know which nights are beginner-friendly, which have the best instructors, and where you'll actually meet people your age. Not every social feels the same. I help you find the ones that fit.
Bachata Weekends in Wexford
Wexford's become a destination for bachata intensives. I've attended the major ones and know the organizers personally. Intensive weekends are different beasts—different pace, different goals. I explain what to expect and whether it's right for your level.
Wild Atlantic Way Dance Gatherings
Summer brings outdoor dance events and festivals along the coast—Galway, Sligo, and beyond. These aren't just about dancing; they're about community, atmosphere, and that special feeling of moving to music with ocean views. I know which ones are worth the drive.
Seasonal Latin Festivals
Galway and Sligo host seasonal festivals that draw dancers from across Ireland and beyond. Spring, summer, autumn—each brings something different. I track these festivals, attend them, and provide honest, detailed guides so you can plan ahead.
Featured Articles
Deep-dive guides covering Ireland's dance event calendar for 45+ dancers.
Salsa Socials in Dublin — Where to Find Them
Your complete guide to Dublin's salsa scene. Venues, nights, instructor quality, and which ones are genuinely welcoming to 45+ dancers.
Bachata Weekends in Wexford
Wexford's become the place for bachata intensives. What to expect, how to prepare, and whether a weekend intensive is right for you.
Wild Atlantic Way Dance Gatherings
Summer outdoor dance events along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. Galway, Sligo, and coastal venues. Atmosphere, community, and genuine magic.
Seasonal Latin Festivals in Galway & Sligo
Major Latin dance festivals across the seasons. What's happening when, who's running them, and what makes each festival unique and worth attending.
Ready to Find Your Dance Community?
Explore Ireland's complete dance event calendar. Find the socials, weekends, and festivals that fit exactly what you're looking for.