Premier Irish Dancing Company

The Claddagh Dance Company is the premier Irish Dancing School in Southern California. Claddagh Dance has added a touch of authentic Irish Culture to the lives of Southern California communities since 1985. Students range from four to adult, learning a mix of solo and group dances in the traditional soft and hard shoes.

The Claddagh school is proud to include over fifty North American Championship Irish dancers in solo and team events as well as overseas Champions. The dance school is under the direction of Máire O’Connell who moved to Ventura from Galway, Ireland in 1978 and a staff of teachers. Ms. O’Connell has been dancing most of her life and is a fully accredited to teach and adjudicate by the Irish Dancing Commission of Ireland. She has previously been active in the Irish American community as a speaker and a judge at a variety of events as well as a past President of the Irish American Club of Ventura. Máire is a 1995 honoree of the city of Los Angeles for her participation in the Irish Community of Southern California. In Irish Dancing she has previously been president of the Western Region of Teachers and Adjudicators. In 1999 she was invited to judge the All Scotland’s, All Ireland’s (The nations Irish Dance Championships) and the World Championships in Ennis, Ireland.

Gaelic is Máire’s first language and she is a graduate of University College, Galway, where she earned the credentials,B.A., H.D.E., and L.L.B. She is also fluent in Spanish and five other languages which has been helpful since some of her students are of Spanish descent. Besides Irish and Spanish descendants who are learning Irish Dancing, Máire has students of many ethnic backgrounds including Chinese, Filipino, German, Italian, and Polish ancestry. Irish dancing truly speaks to all nationalities.

	2007 Western Regional Oireachtas Dance Championships
	2007 World Championships
	2007 All Ireland Championships
	2006 Western Regional Oireachtas Dance Championships
	2006 North American Irish Dance Championships
	2006 World Championship Awards
	2006 & 2005 All Ireland Champions – Under 13 girls team
	Claddagh Dancers competed in the 2003 All Ireland Championships. We had 3 solo Irish Dance champions and 2 two team champions in the Junior and Senior Ceili competitions.
	The Claddagh School is proud to include over 250 dancers, 50 of whom dance at the championship level. We currently have 4 Western U.S. Regional title-holders and 50 regional finalists.
	Several of our dancers have gone on to dance in professional touring groups: Stephanie Serwe has worked with Michael Flatley in his farewell tour Feet of Flames, Jason File currently is in Lord of the Dance, Matt Martin recently completed a tour of Riverdance.
	The Claddagh School has recently gained recognition in European Irish Dancing circles as well:
	Claddagh dancers have performed at the Los Angeles Lakers half time on St. Patrick's Day, America's Funniest Home Videos and the feature film Rock Star with Jennifer Anniston.
	Claddagh dancers recently performed with Eileen Ivers, one of the top fiddle players in the world today and performed in the Summer 2002 season of the Hollywood Bowl.
	Dancers recently performed for the annual Junior Achievement Awards Banquet.
	They have danced for Michael Eisner and Roy and Pat Disney at the Disney Animation Studios and the American/Ireland Fund Gala honoring Pat & Roy Disney.
	Claddagh dancers also perform with Hal Roach and the Chieftains in concert and were regulars at the Dave & Bob Radio Talent Show.
	Dancers from our company performed with the Ventura County Ballet in their production of Nutcracker.
	Dancers from the school routinely perform for businesses and private parties, at festivals, schools, and retirement centers. These shows offer performance experience to students of all ages and ability levels.