Ballet Summer Camps & Intensives in Ireland 2026: The Complete Guide

Ballet summer programmes in Ireland run from fun, all-welcome kids camps (ages 3 and up, no experience needed) to professional-level intensives for dancers from Grade 4 upward. Most run through July and August, across Dublin, Galway, Cork, Belfast and beyond.

Two very different things, one page

"Ballet summer camp" means something completely different depending on who is searching.

For a parent of a six-year-old who has been asking about ballet since Christmas, it is a low-commitment week where your child can try it properly, in a fun environment, without signing up for a full term at a school they have never visited.

For a fifteen-year-old who has been dancing for eight years and wants to push their training over the summer, it is five days of serious technique work, repertoire coaching, and the kind of focused immersion a weekly class cannot give them.

Both are on this page. Here is how to find the right one.

For parents: summer camps as a way to try ballet

If your child has never tried ballet, or tried it once and you are not sure it stuck, a summer camp is one of the best ways to find out whether it suits them without the pressure of a term commitment.

Most summer camps in Ireland are open to children who do not attend that school during the year. You do not need to be an existing student, you do not need previous experience, and you are not committing to September. It is a week, it is fun-focused, and it tells you and your child a great deal about whether they are comfortable in that environment before you decide anything further.

This matters more than it sounds. A child who has a good week at a summer camp arrives at the September term already knowing the teacher, already having made a friend or two, and already knowing they enjoyed it. The hesitation is gone before it starts.

What to look for in a kids camp

The listings that suit younger beginners share three markers. They are labelled "All Levels". Their age range starts at 3, 4 or 5. And the description talks about fun, games and creativity rather than technique, grades or exam preparation.

Schools that regularly run beginner-friendly summer camps include the Odette School of Ballet in Dublin 13, Galway Ballet Academy's Happy Feet camp, Antoinette Casserly's camps in Galway city and Oughterard, Ciara Beech Dance Academy in Gort and Portumna, and Aideen Johnson School of Dance in Macroom, County Cork. Dates and age bands change year to year, so check the live listings above for what is actually confirmed.

These are not auditions. They are not preparation for exams. They are a week of movement, music and making friends, which is exactly the right introduction for a child who is curious but not yet committed.

For serious dancers: intensives and training programmes

Ireland's summer intensive scene has grown considerably and the standard is high. For dancers looking to push their training, these programmes offer coaching, repertoire work and immersive technique that weekly classes cannot match.

The programmes below run most summers. Exact dates, fees and age bands are set fresh each year, so treat this as a map of who runs what and check the listings above for this season's confirmed details.

Ballet Ireland Summer Intensive, Dublin

Two weeks at DanceHouse, run by Ballet Ireland, the country's national ballet company. Open to dancers aged 12 and above from Grade 4 through to professional level. This is the flagship intensive in Ireland: serious, high quality, and worth planning a summer around if you are at the right level.

College of Dance Summer Intensive, Dublin

Usually two separate weeks at the College of Dance, for students from 12 years to young adults with at least Grade 5 ballet. Intermediate level, with a strong focus on technique and classical training.

The Dance Institute Summer Intensive, Dublin

Founded by Lindsay Ashe-Browne, Artistic Director of the Irish National Youth Ballet. Ages 10 and above, intermediate level, at DanceHouse. A well-regarded programme with a strong track record.

Jade Hannaway Ballet Intensive, Lisburn

A short, focused intensive for ages 12 and above, with classically strong 11-year-olds considered, at The Island Arts Centre in Lisburn. Belfast native Jade Hannaway brings a tight classical approach to this annual programme.

Summer Dance Lab, Six Dance Collective, Belfast

At The MAC in Belfast, open to dancers aged 11 to 21 at all levels. Two studios and multiple styles, which suits dancers working across contemporary and classical rather than classical alone.

Antoinette Casserly Senior Dance Intensive, Galway

A short senior intensive for ages 13 and above at intermediate level, based at the Train Station Gym in Galway. A good option for committed dancers in Connacht who would rather not travel to Dublin.

Ciara Beech Dance Academy Senior Intensive, Gort

For ages 11 and above at intermediate level, at Gort Community Centre. Another strong regional option for serious dancers in Galway and the surrounding counties.

Corrib Dance Academy August Ballet Intensive, Galway

Afternoon sessions at the Corrib Dance Academy studios in Galway, split into an intermediate strand for dancers preparing RAD Grade 6 and 7 and an advanced strand for Grade 8. The school also runs a separate all-levels dance camp for ages 8 to 13 in the mornings.

How to choose the right programme

Age and level first. Most listings specify age ranges and experience requirements clearly. Do not stretch. A camp that is too advanced is discouraging, and one that is too basic is frustrating.

Location matters. A week-long camp means daily travel. A Dublin intensive is only practical if you are in Dublin or willing to arrange accommodation. Regional options in Galway, Cork and Belfast exist specifically to serve dancers outside the capital.

What the week actually covers. Kids camps are usually mixed styles, taking in ballet, jazz and musical theatre in a fun format. Intensives for older dancers tend to be classical technique, repertoire, and sometimes pas de deux or contemporary work. Read the listing description carefully.

Open to non-enrolled students. Most camps are open to all and you do not need to be a student of that school. If this matters to you, confirm it with the organiser before booking.

More camps being added

The listings on this page update themselves as schools confirm their programmes, so what you see above is what is currently open. Many schools announce late in the spring. If your area is not represented yet, it is worth checking back, or browsing every camp and intensive on ballet.ie.

If you run a summer camp or intensive and it is not listed, you can add it through your school dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be enrolled at the school to attend their summer camp?

Most summer camps in Ireland are open to all children, not just existing students. It is one of the best ways to try a school before committing to a term. Always confirm with the organiser when booking.

What age can children start at a ballet summer camp?

Several camps in Ireland welcome children from age 3 or 4. Look for listings marked "All Levels" with a lower age range of 3 to 5. These are fun-focused and designed for complete beginners.

What is the difference between a summer camp and an intensive?

Summer camps are generally fun-focused, multi-style, and open to all levels and ages. Intensives are structured training programmes for more experienced dancers, usually requiring a minimum level of around Grade 4 or 5, and focused on technique, repertoire and progression.

Are there ballet summer programmes for adults in Ireland?

Yes. Dance Conservatory Ireland runs a dedicated adult ballet intensive in Dublin, and several other programmes welcome adult dancers. Filter by age when browsing the camps listings.

How do I book a ballet summer camp in Ireland?

Each listing on ballet.ie includes a direct link to the school or organiser's own booking page. Spaces fill up, particularly for the more established intensives, so it is worth booking as soon as a programme opens.

Ballet.ie lists ballet summer camps, intensives and workshops across Ireland. Browse the full calendar or filter by location, age group and level to find the right programme.