The Irish of Minnesota are in mourning this week for Séamus (Jimmy) O'Sé, a beloved figure whose impact on the world of Irish dance will resonate for generations.
Séamus passed away peacefully on March 11, 2025, leaving behind a remarkable legacy.
Alongside his late wife Anne (Áine), Séamus co-founded Scoil Rince Uí Shé, the legendary Dublin dance school that trained hundreds of dancers and shaped champions over 47 remarkable years. Their students collectively won over 30 World Championships and performed in iconic productions including Riverdance, spreading Irish dance and culture worldwide.
Séamus’s dedication extended far beyond teaching. As Chairperson of An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha, he played an essential role in bringing the World Championships to a global audience, pioneering its first competitions outside of Ireland in Glasgow and Philadelphia.
Throughout his life, Séamus was a tireless advocate for Irish culture. From his early days performing on RTÉ’s Club Céilí in the 1960s, to leading tours across Europe and North America, and establishing long-running Irish dance shows at Busch Gardens, he continually inspired and uplifted the Irish dance community.
In recent years, Séamus became a beloved presence at the Celtic Junction Arts Center, the Irish Fair of Minnesota, major Irish dance competitions, and cultural events such as the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil, always warmly engaging with everyone he met.
Séamus’s legacy lives on in the hundreds of dancers he mentored and trained, and in the continued success of his son Cormac’s school, O'Shea Irish Dance, based in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Séamus will be buried tomorrow a Requiem Mass on Thursday, March 20th, at 11:00 am (Irish time) at the Church of Our Lady Mother of the Church, Castleknock, Dublin. The Mass can be viewed live online.
Séamus is survived by his loving children Dara, Colm, and Cormac, grandchildren Adrienne, Liam, Aoife, Niamh, Ciara, Mungo, Conor, Cian, and his extended family and many friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
