Ciara Sexton

Ciara Sexton
Born (1988-05-16) May 16, 1988
Holbrooks, Coventry, West Midlands, England
OccupationIrish dancer
Employer(s)Limerick University
The Irish Dancing Magazine
Known forProfessional Irish dancer, choreographer and teacher

Ciara Sexton (born 16 May 1988) is an English five time world champion professional Irish dancer who has toured with Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, Celtic Woman and Riverdance. She has also choreographed on Broadway.

Early life

Sexton was born in Holbrooks, Coventry, West Midlands, England,[1][2] and is second-generation Irish. She attended Cardinal Newman Roman Catholic School in Coventry.[3] Sexton began dancing aged 4,[1] training in Irish dancing at the Marion Turley Academy and O’Shea School of Irish Dance.[1][4] She won five World and All-Ireland Championships.[4][5]

Career

Sexton retired from dancing aged 25,[6] but became a professional Irish dancer when she was cast as the lead dancer and played the mythological temptress Morrighan in Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance production. She has also performed in the stage shows including Celtic Women, again as Morrighan;[7] Excalibur: A Celtic Rock Opera;[5] Heartbeat of Home;[8] Ireland The Show;[9] and Riverdance.[10] She appeared as a dancer in the Disney film Disenchanted (2022).[11]

In 2016, Sexton became Senior Editor for The Irish Dancing Magazine. In 2020, she created a YouTube channel as "a free video resource and webinar series for Irish dancers around the world."[12] She has also worked on television as a reporter for Irish Way. In 2025, she published a children's picture book titled My First Book of Irish Dance.[13]

In 2019, Sexton became the lead choreographer for the Irish and Broadway show Fáinne Óir by the Irish composer Kathy Fahey. The show was based on experiences of people during the Irish Great Hunger.[14][15]

Sexton is employed as a lecturer on the BA Irish Dance programme at The Irish World Academy at The University of Limerick[16] and teaches competitive Irish Dance for Scoil Uí Nualláin Irish Dance School in Limerick.[17] She also contributed to "Master Irish Dance workshops" online in 2012[18] and has taught in New York City, United States.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Ciara bids to take her fourth world title". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 17 March 2007. Retrieved 12 February 2026 – via Free Online Library.
  2. ^ Audley, Fiona (25 April 2015). "Irish dancer performs at the top of a Coventry building site". The Irish Post. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Young Ciara beats off competition". Coventry Live. 14 February 2004. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  4. ^ a b "CIARA SEXTON". Celtic Life International. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Hickey, Kate (2 January 2017). "Top Irish dance influencers to follow in 2017". IrishCentral.com. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  6. ^ "Episode Two: Ciara Sexton". Riverdance. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  7. ^ Pask, Marie Duffy (16 August 2022). Essential Guide to Irish Dance. The Crowood Press. ISBN 978-0-7198-4074-6.
  8. ^ "Make-up, tans and wigs - all that's unique about being an Irish dancer". The Irish Post. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  9. ^ O’Reilly-Wild, Kathleen (19 July 2011). "World Irish Dancing Champions thrill Santa Barbara audience". IrishCentral.com. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  10. ^ "Famous Irish Dancers". Irish Dancing World. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  11. ^ Shankman, Adam (18 November 2022), Disenchanted (Animation, Adventure, Comedy), Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, Maya Rudolph, Walt Disney Pictures, Josephson Entertainment, Right Coast Productions, retrieved 31 October 2024
  12. ^ O'Shea, Kerry (5 June 2020). "Ciara Sexton launches free video resources for Irish dancers". IrishCentral.com. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  13. ^ "Ciara Sexton's First Book of Irish Dance". Celtic Life International. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  14. ^ Mulraney, Frances (23 September 2019). "Riverdance star developing new famine musical to premiere in New York this week". IrishCentral.com. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Stunning Irish dance production Fáinne Óir seeks support ahead of online broadcast". IrishCentral.com. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  16. ^ "BA Irish Dance". Irish World Academy. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  17. ^ "Ciara Sexton". Mentor Her. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  18. ^ Dorrity, Christy (2 May 2012). "Master Irish Dance workshops offered online with fantastic instructors - VIDEOS". IrishCentral.com. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
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