West Cork is fast becoming recognised as a great place to see and take part in contemporary dance, and with the move to our new premises in 2015, Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre has been playing a central role in bringing the very best in dance to West Cork. 

Uillinn Dance is a programme that celebrates its unique venue, rural location and community: a space to participate and explore dance, to see performance and screendance, for artists to engage in residencies, dialogue and exchange between artforms.

To see dance performance or screendance at Uillinn, look out for our annual Uillinn Dance Season taking place in the autumn each year in the transformed gallery spaces. We also present dance with Festival partners Skibbereen Arts Festival and Fastnet Film Festival.

Our residency programme welcomes dance and performing artists to make and create work in a unique and supportive setting. See HERE for more information.

Central to the programme is our Dance Artist in Residence, Luke Murphy. Luke is our fourth dance artist to be awarded this role, supported by the Arts Council and in partnership with Cork County Council begining with Tara Brandel 2015-16; Helga Deasy 2017-18; and Mairead Vaughan 2019-20.

The openness of the space, both physically and the welcoming from the people at Uillinn. Meant we felt right at home immediately and could get stuck in on day 1. There was also great inspiration in West Cork from the people, nature and arts happening there. I had an extremely productive working time there….This residency has for sure influenced my career and even the piece. Without this opportunity I would have had no way of creating my work. The space provided and financial support meant I could have 2 professional dancers to work with and take time out to fully focus on the work. It has been eye opening and I truly don’t know if there would be a piece without it. -​ Ghaliah Conroy,  Commission Development Award 15 - 22 July & Aug 2022

Uillinn is excited to announce our Dance Company in Residence, Croí Glan Integrated Dance, having worked together for for many years recognising an alignment with our own goals; with their integrity, creative curiosity and ambition; deep understanding of our community and location. See here for Croi Glan Director, Tara Brandel residency #Idreamofwater. In 2023, Croí Glan will also bring online course in 'Dance for people living with Long Covid' and Evironmental Dance weekend in the autumn.

Uillinn also welcomes everyone to take part in dance with programmes for all ages and abilities in our purpose built studio on level three, with stunning views accross the County. 

Check out to our Young Dancer programme, if you are 13 to 19 years old and would like to experiment with Choreography in contemporary dance, learn skills in aerial and acro, work peer to peer and create work together with professional dancers. Monday evenings from 4.30pm to 6.00pm during term time. Booking essential info@

ALAN FOLEY ACADEMY OF DANCE (AFAD) promotes dance as a vibrant and enjoyable art form through classes, workshops and performances in ballet, jazz and modern dance for 3 to 18 year olds. 

Annual performances, featuring professional dancers in The Everyman in Cork are an integral part of the programme. This term we welcome Alan Foley back to deliver the programme at Uillinn, bringing his high level of expertise choreography and musicality to engage the children and explore ways of learning the discipline of Ballet and Modern dance. 

AFAD is part of Cork City Ballet (CCB) which embraces a policy of engaging dancers from international companies as well as Ireland's finest classical and contemporary dancers, to perform to audiences all over Ireland. The Company has worked in partnership with West Cork Arts Centre for over 31 years, developing programmes for children which offer continuous academic development and engagement with professional dancers. 

Now on SATURDAY'S

TERM 1 _ 7 Sept - 11 Jan (26 Oct, 21 Dec, 28 Dec & 4 Jan) 

TERM 2 _ 18 Jan - 24 May (15 feb, 19 & 26 Apr) ( rehearsal on 25May + performance on 31 May)  - 32 sessions in total for both terms

Pre-primary (3-4) - 10:30 to 11:00.
Primary Ballet/Modern (4-6) - 11:00 to 11:45.
Junior Ballet/Modern (7-10) - 11:45 to 12:45.
30 Minute Break
Senior Ballet (11 upwards) - 1:15 to 2:30.
Senior Jazz (11 upwards) - 2:30 to 3:30.

Founded in 1991, the Alan Foley Academy of Dance has branches in Skibbereen, Bantry, Clonakilty and Carrigaline. Under the direction of Alan Foley, the School offers a complete range of classes for young children and teens who wish to pursue recreational dance instruction in a supportive and encouraging setting. More info www.westcorkartscentre.com/AFAD