updated June 24, 2010

Welcome to the McGrath Academy of Irish Dance. Please check back here for information about events, news and cancelations.



Upcoming Events

Please mark your calendars!

We are happy to announce that the McGrath Academy of Irish Dance and the Claddagh Irish Dance Association, C.I.D.A., will once again be offering special workshops at the McGrath Studio in Manassas with Vincent O'Connor, ADCRG and director of the highly prestigious Butler-Fearon-O'Connor School of Irish Dance based in CA, NV and Canada.

What: Special Workshops with Vincent O’Connor, ADCRG
When:  Saturday, August 7th & Sunday, August 8th
Where:  McGrath Studio, 9013 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110
Who:

All McGrath Academy dancers are highly encouraged to attend, especially competitive dancers and Oireachtas dancers
How: Registration details for the workshops will be sent via email in late July.
Why:

















 Vincent is a world renowned Irish Dance Judge and Teacher. As director of the Butler-Fearon-O’Connor school, Vincent has played a major role in producing several World, National, and Regional, Championship Irish dancers.

As Lauren McGrath Dutton, TCRG was a World Championship Dancer; all McGrath dancers are continually being exposed to excellent talent. However, these workshops are a great opportunity for all McGrath dancers to be exposed to additional highly prestigious talent.

Vincent O'Connor has received several tittles during his competitive career. He was the Western US Regional Champion for 9 consecutive years, from 1977- 1985. He placed 2nd at the National Championships in 1982, and has 3 World Championship solo medals (1982-1984).

Vincent received his teaching credentials in 1986 in Ireland and shortly thereafter began his teaching career.  In 1995 he received his adjudicating credentials.  As a result, in addition to teaching, Vincent judges competitions at local, regional, and national levels throughout the United States and Canada, as well as feisanna in England and Ireland.


******

2010 Nationals

July 2nd - July 7th

Orlando, Florida

for more info, click here

******

2010 Oireachtas

December 3rd - December 5th

Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center
On the Potomac in Maryland!!

for more info, click here

 


    Saturday & Sunday, 11/1for more info, click here4 & 11/15, Manassas Studio

 

 
Holiday Schedule
Class Cancellations


Unless otherwise noted, the McGrath Academy holiday schedule follows the
local County school system calendar.

Please click here for the 2009/2010 dance school schedule.

   
   
   



   Please remember that three snow/instructor illness days have been incorporated into the 2008/2009 calendar. As a result, if classes are canceled three times due to inclement weather, instructor illness, and/or other unforseen circumstances, there will NOT be a re-scheduled make-up lesson. However, cancellations beyond this will be re-scheduled and offered as make-up lessons.

Class cancellations due to inclement weather generally follow
the local county school closings. However, please watch this space
for confirmation of class cancellations by location.

Virginia:
Prince William County - Fairfax County

Maryland:
Montgomery County

 

Feiseanna (or Competitions)

Feiseanna (fesh-anna) are Irish Dance Competitions held on Local, Regional, National, and World Levels. Competition is categorized by soft or hard shoe, music used, age & grade. These events are excellent opportunities to meet new people and enjoy Traditional Irish singing, music & lots of dancing.

Parents and students new to feiseanna may like to consult our Feising 101 guide.

 

Please click on the links below to find current listings of upcoming feiseanna.

To register for any feis please logon to EFeis

 

UPCOMING MID-ATLANTIC REGION FEISEANNA

UPCOMING MID-AMERICA REGION FEISEANNA
General News
Announcements


 

 
click here for pictures of the event!

2009 North American Irish Dance Championships

Congratulations to all of our wonderful McGrath Academy dancers for competing at the 2009 North American Irish Dance Championships in Nashville, Tennessee. We are very proud of each and every one of you!

 

 

 

 

 
click here for pictures of the event!

2009 World Irish Dance Competition

Thanks, Cameron for dancing for McGrath Academy at the 2009 World's.

He danced wonderfully but unfortunately did not receive a recall, though he did gain very benificial experience on the World's stage. We look forward to many future years of Cameron at World's with many other McGrath dancers.

 

 

 

 

 
click here for pictures of the event!

Congratulations to all who danced so beautifully at the 2008 Southern Region Oireachtas!

McGrath Academy Dancers lit up the stage at the 2008 Southern Region Oireachtas with nine dancers medaling, seven qualifying for Nationals, and one dancer qualifying for the 2008 World Irish Dance Championships in Philadelphia, PA this April. We look forward to the continued hard work and dedication of Lauren and of all the McGrath Academy dancers!


 

 

 

 
Gaylord Opryland

Congratulations to Jenna for dancing beautifully at the 2007 North American Irish Dance Championships. At her first NAIDC, she was a star for us all and represented McGrath Academy well!

Click here for pictures of the event


May 9th, 2009

Frederick Celtic Festival at
the Frederick Fairgrounds

Thank you to our dancers who came to the VFD Frederick Celtic Festival Saturday, May 9th. The crowd enjoyed watching our dancers show off their amazing talents! We had a great day!

for more info about the festival, click on the link below
VFD Frederick Celtic Festival

Thank you to all McGrath dancers who danced at Flanagan's Harp and Fiddle for McGrath Academy Fun Day. Despite low turn out, a great time was had by all.

2010 World Irish Dance Championships

Congratulations to Jenna and Cameron for qualifying for the World Irish Dance Championships!

We wish Jenna the best luck as she competes!
 
We have received these kind words regarding one of our recent performances:

To the McGrath Academy of Irish Dance,


Thank you for bringing students of all ages from the McGrath Academy to perform at Hayfield Elementary School last night.  Our International Night celebration was another fabulous event for our students, staff, and surrounding community.  We greatly appreciate having an opportunity to see the many fine talents within your ensemble.  Our students couldn't stop talking today about how much they enjoyed watching your group perform. Many of the students have never seen Irish dancing so this was a special treat!  Your educational presentation captivated the audience.  Please let your students know how much we appreciate them taking the time to join our festivities. They really helped to make this event extra special!

Thank you Paul and friends for setting up and taking down the wooden platforms.  I have two platforms on hand that if ever they need a home you're the first person I call. 

Best wishes as your group performs in the Manassas parade!  And thank you once again for attending our International Night celebration.  We hope your group will visit us again soon. Have a fantastic Spring Vacation!

Musically yours,
Carla Okouchi

Music Educator
Hayfield Elementary School


C.I.D.A. Fundraising Opportunity

C.I.D.A. offers you the opportunity to purchase an adorable McGrath Feis Bear for $16.50. Each bear is generously sized to be perfect for hugging, and comes dressed in a McGrath Academy logo hoodie.

Bears and hoodies come in a variety of color choices and personalization is available.

For more information, or
to place an order contact Alice Butler-Short.

 

 
Feis Registration Sites
Official Irish Dance Sites

FeisWeb - The newest online registration site.

E-Feis - The registration site most popular in our region.

Feisworx - Site more widely used in other regions.

IDTANA (home page)
The governing body of all Irish Dance in North America

IDTANA - Southern Region
The governing body of Irish Dance in our region

SRO 2009 blogspot
Information about the upcoming 2009 Southern Region Oireachtas 

NAFC
 Complete list of all Feiseanna & event rules.

 

 
Local Society & Events List
Pubs & Restaurants

Irish Societies
  • AOH Virginia - Ancient Order of Hibernian's
    Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity. The Ancient Order of Hibernian's is the oldest Catholic lay organization in America.
  • KofC Virginia - Knights of Columbus
    A Catholic men's fraternal benefit society formed to render financial aid to members and their families.
  • The BallyShaners, Inc.
    Co-sponsors of the Alexandria Parade and the Alexandria Irish Festival in Northern Virginia.
  • Greater Washington Ceili Club
    The Greater Washington Ceili Club (GWCC) is a non-profit organization, organized and incorporated in 1985, to promote traditional Celtic dance, music, and culture.
  • Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann
    CCE is our local Irish cultural society, and sponsor of the CCE Feis held each May in Emmitsburg. They also host a monthy ceili in Fairfax City.

 

 

 

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Check back soon for more pictures!