Who Are We?
Since we primarily organize dance in Sonoma and Marin Counties, we adopted the name "SonoMarin Irish".
We are a somewhat informal group of people who enjoy Irish culture, especially set dancing. Many of us are Irish born or of Irish descent, but that's not a requirement! We embrace diversity and have had people of many backgrounds enjoy our events. Click on the 'CLASSES' tab for more info.
Our teachers, Mary McDonagh and Mícheál Minihane, began teaching regular Irish set dance classes back in 2009 at the studio of the Brosnan School of Irish Dance in San Rafael where we would meet two Friday evenings per month. The location would later move to San Anselmo while still under the Brosnan umbrella. Around 2015, they expanded to also have classes two Wednesday evenings per month at the Redwood Café in Cotati. All these classes were primarily for Irish set dancing, but we've been known to branch out into two-hand dances, barn dances, and more.
On occasion, we have had guest teachers that have taught us new sets, intricate footwork for sets, or even sean-nós dancing.
Of course, 2020 brought an involuntary hiatus for our classes and events, but we got back to it as soon as it was safe and are currently having the San Anselmo classes on the 2nd and 4th Friday of most months. See the calendar page for schedule and location.
In 2023, we lost our beloved Mary Mac (see blog post 10.14.23) and changed locations to the Vista Room at the Isabel Cook Community Center in San Anselmo. In 2025 we moved location again to 167 Tunstead Avenue in San Anselmo where there is a fabulous wood floor for dancing!
In addition to the aforementioned classes, we have held other events in Sonoma and Marin counties--the most notable of which would be the two wildly-successful Irish Hooleys held in February 2019 and February 2020 in Petaluma as fundraisers for the Cooley-Keegan branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, an organization promoting Irish music, language, and dance worldwide. At these hooleys, we provided snacks and had drinks for purchase as well as entertainment of music, dance, recitations, and a number of opportunities for audience participation! At both events, the crowd filled the hall to capacity, and everyone left happy.
We are a somewhat informal group of people who enjoy Irish culture, especially set dancing. Many of us are Irish born or of Irish descent, but that's not a requirement! We embrace diversity and have had people of many backgrounds enjoy our events. Click on the 'CLASSES' tab for more info.
Our teachers, Mary McDonagh and Mícheál Minihane, began teaching regular Irish set dance classes back in 2009 at the studio of the Brosnan School of Irish Dance in San Rafael where we would meet two Friday evenings per month. The location would later move to San Anselmo while still under the Brosnan umbrella. Around 2015, they expanded to also have classes two Wednesday evenings per month at the Redwood Café in Cotati. All these classes were primarily for Irish set dancing, but we've been known to branch out into two-hand dances, barn dances, and more.
On occasion, we have had guest teachers that have taught us new sets, intricate footwork for sets, or even sean-nós dancing.
Of course, 2020 brought an involuntary hiatus for our classes and events, but we got back to it as soon as it was safe and are currently having the San Anselmo classes on the 2nd and 4th Friday of most months. See the calendar page for schedule and location.
In 2023, we lost our beloved Mary Mac (see blog post 10.14.23) and changed locations to the Vista Room at the Isabel Cook Community Center in San Anselmo. In 2025 we moved location again to 167 Tunstead Avenue in San Anselmo where there is a fabulous wood floor for dancing!
In addition to the aforementioned classes, we have held other events in Sonoma and Marin counties--the most notable of which would be the two wildly-successful Irish Hooleys held in February 2019 and February 2020 in Petaluma as fundraisers for the Cooley-Keegan branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, an organization promoting Irish music, language, and dance worldwide. At these hooleys, we provided snacks and had drinks for purchase as well as entertainment of music, dance, recitations, and a number of opportunities for audience participation! At both events, the crowd filled the hall to capacity, and everyone left happy.
Check our calendar for a schedule of Irish events in the San Francisco North Bay and beyond.
**Other North Bay Irish events (check with venue to confirm, as schedules may change):
Music Sessions
Redwood Café, Cotati:
Most first and third Sundays, starting around 5 and going until they tire out
The Plough and Stars, San Francisco:
Sunday Seisiún, 1-4 pm
Wednesday Seisiún, 8 pm
Plus SET DANCING to live music every Thursday starting at 8 on the first Thursday and 8:30 the other weeks. See their website for band lineups. **Please note that this is NOT a class--if you are a beginner, please attend classes first.
More information on San Francisco and SF Peninsula dancing is shared on a separate email blast. Email [email protected] and request to be added.
Music Sessions
Redwood Café, Cotati:
Most first and third Sundays, starting around 5 and going until they tire out
The Plough and Stars, San Francisco:
Sunday Seisiún, 1-4 pm
Wednesday Seisiún, 8 pm
Plus SET DANCING to live music every Thursday starting at 8 on the first Thursday and 8:30 the other weeks. See their website for band lineups. **Please note that this is NOT a class--if you are a beginner, please attend classes first.
More information on San Francisco and SF Peninsula dancing is shared on a separate email blast. Email [email protected] and request to be added.
