updated February 16, 2010

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

Check back soon for more pictures!

 

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For 2010, McGrath Academy will be dancing in both the Gaithersburg and the Manassas St. Patrick's Day Parades!

We are hoping that all Virginia McGrath Dancers will join us for the 
St. Patrick's Day Parade in Manassas on Saturday, March 13.  You should have 
recently received an email with more information about the days events.

Immediately after the parade, we will proceed to Tommy's Place at 8910 
Mathis Avenue for an afternoon of fun and dancing with the children. 
Tommy's will close the door to the public for the afternoon and the 
children will be able to dance to their heart's content.  The dancers 
should wear their McGrath T-shirt and shorts for the Tommy's Place 
event.  McGrath costumes are optional.  We would ask our champion 
dancers to bring their solo dresses for their performance.

We will also have a used shoe and used costume sale, as well as a 
raffle.   We are asking for donations of items that we can raffle.

There will be a cover charge at Tommy's Place to help support our parents group CIDA. The donation requests are $10 per family (Mom. Dad and kids) and 
$5 per guest.  You may send checks to Alice Butler-Short MADE PAYABLE TO CIDA or 
simply make a reservation and pay at the door.  I will need to give 
Tommy's place a head count by March 10, so please respond ASAP.  The 
food at Tommy's place is good and prices reasonable.

Please check back for information about the Gaitherburg St. Patrick's Day Parade.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE McGRATH ACADEMY WITH YOUR ATTENDANCE AT THE PARADES AND/OR THE FAMILY SOCIAL AND OTHER PERFORMANCES.


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Congratulations to all of our wonderful McGrath Academy dancers for competing at the 2009 Southern Region Oireachtas in Dallas, Texas. We are very proud of each and every one of you!

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Check out last years St Patrick's Day Event Pictures

March 14th - St Pat's Day Parade, Manassass, VA

March 14th - St Pat's Day Parade, Gaithersburg, MD

March 14th - Shamrock Fest, RFK Stadium, Washington D.C.

March 14th - Tommy's Place, Manassass, VA

 



Upcoming Events

2010 World Irish Dance Competition

March 28th - April 4th 2010

Glasgow, Scottland

for more info, click here

******

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.

UPCOMING MAJORS

2009 Southern Region Oireachtas

December 5-6, 2009

Dallas, Texas

for more info, click here
 
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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