When Riverdance exploded onto the New York arts scene with a burst of color and costume and Celtic tradition, a generation of wistful young dreamers was born, children who yearned to capture the magic of centuries-old dance and learn to recreate the wonder. Sean Sanders got his first glimpse of Riverdance at a performance at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center, and he was mesmerized.

Sean, an 11-year-old middle school student from Wading River, had a vision, and his parents, Terry Sanders and Patricia Hanlon, believe firmly in giving their four children — quadruplets! — the foundation to turn dreams into reality. Patricia soon discovered the Inishfree School of Irish Dancing in Shoreham-Wading River.

Sean’s enthusiasm was infectious and soon his two brothers, Kevin and Michael, and his sister, Tara, who has Down syndrome, began to study step-dancing, too. The quadruplets have benefited from their training. “It has given them a tremendous boost of self-confidence,” said Terry.

The experience has been invaluable, especially for Sean who, like others in the Inishfree School, directed by Sean Reagan since 1985, has traveled to Ireland twice and England last summer to participate in the national and world competitions. Reagan holds fund-raisers to help subsidize the trips.

The Sanders children, who practice together in a dance area in the basement of their home, have benefited from the life lessons. “They’re definitely learning sportsmanship,” said Terry. “It’s helped their poise and self-confidence.”

Step-dancing has opened up new doors for Tara, who attends class with another girl who has Down syndrome. “It’s been great because, honestly, there are not that many activities where she can participate. She has the dress and the wig, she goes to competitions, she’s part of the whole thing,” said Patricia. The first time Tara entered a competition, her parents wondered whether their daughter would actually perform. “Now we walk in the door and she asks, ‘What stage am I on?’ ” said Patricia. Step-dancing has helped the quads nurture other talents, too. “It’s a good thing to do if you can’t play outside, to do a physical sport,” said Kevin. Michael agreed: “It helps with sports and to build up stamina.”

Such values will have lifelong relevance, said Terry. “It’s a terrific activity for kids to learn. It’s a very aerobic type of exercise program. “It’s good discipline — you have to do things properly.” He added that the friendships made while participating in feis, Gaelic for competitions, are forever.

The importance of making friendships and sharing family time are intrinsic values that Reagan instills in students. Reagan and his brothers, Sean and Kevin, have schools throughout Long Island, the Bronx, Yonkers, Rockland County, Connecticut, Texas, and Louisiana. They strive to promote Irish culture, the enjoyment of dance, and the perfection of dance for competition. The Wading River location has eager students from all over the North Fork. In the end, said Reagan, who, along with Sean and Kevin (as well as another brother, Neill, and sisters, Tara and Siobhan) are all world, North American, and regional champions, the most important thing is family. “It’s very family-oriented,” he said, adding that participants bring picnics and share good times. Reagan, who has 16 students traveling to Ireland for a world competition this week, said winning is great, but isn’t everything. “My goals are to have kids do the best they can, and to enjoy Irish step-dancing as they do it. Hopefully, to train as world champions,” he said, “but what’s most important is that they do their best, never give up, and have fun in the meantime.”