Please remember that Manassas classes that were canceled Thursday November 20th classes are to be made up December 11th at the normal class times.

***

 

Now Accepting Enrollment for the 2008/2009 Dance Year!

Click here for more information!

 


Upcoming Events

*****

McGrath Academy Fundraiser was a hit!!

Thank you to all who came to support the school and our parent's group, CIDA, by attending the 10/12 fundraiser. An enjoyable afternoon of Irish dance and music was had by all!

 

*****

Irish Dance Workshop

We wish Vinny a safe trip home and many thanks for traveling so far from home to instruct our dancers!

*****
 
 

 
Holiday Schedule
Class Cancellations


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

Classes begin September 15th, 2008. Classes end June 12th, 2009.

Class will not be held on the following dates:

December 8th – January 2nd --- -- Southern Region Oireachtas & Winter/New Years Break
January 19th ----------------------- --------- Martin Luther King Day
February 16th --------------------- ------------------ President’s Day
April 6th – April 10th ------------- --------------------- -Spring Break
May 25th --------------------------- --------------------- Memorial Day
June 12th --------------------------- ------------- Last Day of Classes


Please remember that Manassas classes that were canceled Thursday November 20th classes are to be made up December 11th at the normal class times.  

   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

UPCOMING MAJORS

2008 Oireachtas

JW Marriott Grande Lakes Resort

Orlando, Florida

The Southern Region Oireachtas 2008 will be held at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes Resort in Orlando, Florida. The hotel rooms will be released for booking at 12:01am on February 22nd, for both teachers/adjudicators and the general public. The number to call is 1-800-576-5760.

The general rate is $129 per night.
Executive suites are available at a discounted rate of $239.

The schedule will be almost the same as last year, so dancers will know which day they are going to dance on, when booking. (Reminder - your children have moved up an age group!)

Everyone will be charged a first night deposit at the time of booking.


We look forward to going to the sunshine state for what we hope will be a very successful and enjoyable Oireachtas!

Please check this site for more information:

www.idtana-southernregion.com

 

 

Thank you to our dancers who came to the VFD Frederick Celtic Festival Saturday, May 10th. The crowd enjoyed watching our upper level dancers show off their amazing talents! It is always great to have the Maryland and Virginia dancers performing together. We had a great day!

 

Thank you to all McGrath dancers who showed up to Flanagan's Harp and Fiddle for McGrath Academy Fun Day on Sunday June 8th. Despite low turn out, a great time was had by all.
 
Gaylord Opryland

Congratulations to Jenna for dancing beautifully at the 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
 
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.
Recommended Seamstress
The following seamstress are highly recommended by McGrath Academy, please tell them we sent you!

TANG's Alterations
8669 Sudley Road
Manassas, VA 20110
703-393-8458
www.tangsalterations.com

McGrath Seamstress, Tahira
3347 Esquarre Court
Woodbridge, VA 22193
703-583-1319
 tahirasarah@yahoo.com

McGrath Ebroiderer, Anne Marie Brandow
6849 Creek Crest Way
Springfield, VA 22150
703-455-0863
 abrandow@cox.net

 

 
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) - IDTANA - Southern Region
The governing body of all Irish Dance in North America

For the SRO 2008 blogspot - click here   

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.

 

 

 
updated November 29, 2008
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