Ballet Connect: Ballet Symposium at the RDS

Irish National Youth Ballet has been developing ballet talent in Ireland for years, and Ballet Connect is the organisation at its most outward-facing: a symposium that brings together youth ballet companies from across the island to perform for each other and for an audience that includes students, teachers, parents, and people from the ballet industry.

The lineup covers INYB alongside Youth Ballet West from Connacht and High Points Youth Ballet from Belfast. Three companies with different training backgrounds and regional identities performing excerpts in the RDS Concert Hall, followed by an open industry Q&A.

What to Expect

Performances from all three youth companies, each presenting excerpts from their current work. At this level - young dancers in serious training, not recreational classes - the performance standard is consistently impressive. Youth ballet companies work at a level that surprises audiences who aren’t familiar with what Irish youth dance has been producing.

The Q&A element makes this a genuine symposium rather than just a showcase. Questions about training pathways, career options in ballet, the differences between company approaches, and the challenges of developing ballet outside London are all on the table.

Good to Know

• 12pm Sunday afternoon at the RDS Concert Hall
• Accessible from the city centre by Luas Green Line
• Suitable for all ages - particularly good for families with children who dance
• The Q&A is a useful resource for parents and students considering serious training
• RDS has parking and cafe facilities

Getting There

The RDS is on Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. The Luas Green Line stops at Sydney Parade and Sandymount, both about 10 to 15 minutes’ walk from the RDS main entrance. Dublin Bus routes 7, 7a, 45a, and 84 serve the Ballsbridge and Merrion Road corridor. Pearse DART is about a 15-minute walk. If you’re driving, the RDS has its own car park accessible from Merrion Road.