About
Claddagh Dance Company offers Irish dance classes that include solo and group dances in traditional soft shoes and traditional hard shoes. Students take dance classes and participate in dance performances that focus on these Irish dance styles.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Price: Claddagh is currently offering a special for new beginner dancers. Check out our coupon for a free month of dance classes. This coupon is good at any of our locations.
The Claddagh Dance Company has added a touch of authentic Irish culture to the lives of Southern California communities since 1985 and has been family run for 35 years. The dance school is under the direction of Máire O’Connell, who began the Claddagh School of Irish Dancing in 1985 and has been dancing most of her life. Máire O’Connell is accredited to teach and adjudicate, has been certified as an examiner by the Irish Dancing Commission of Dublin, and has previously been President of the Western Region of Teachers and Adjudicators. She has been active in the Irish-American community, has held the position of president of the Irish American Club of Ventura County, and was a 1995 honoree of the City of Los Angeles for her participation in the Irish community of Southern California.
There are three additional certified teachers who run the various locations. Kelly Sullivan holds TCRG and ADCRG qualifications, and Annie Darlington holds T.C.R.G. and A.D.C.R.G. certificates and serves as choreographer. Annie completed her teaching certification (T.C.R.G.) and added an adjudication (A.D.C.R.G) certificate in September 2019. Kelly sat for the TCRG exam and was awarded her license on the first attempt and passed her ADCRG examination in 2012.
Claddagh Dance Company is the premier Irish dancing school in Southern California and describes itself as “More Than Just a Dance School. Fun. Fitness. Family. Become a part of our Claddagh dance family!” Students range from four to adult and learn a mix of solo and group dances in traditional soft and hard shoes. Students are of many ethnic backgrounds including Chinese, Filipino, German, Italian, and Polish, and the program states that Irish dancing truly speaks to all nationalities. Claddagh is proud to include over fifty North American Championship Irish dancers in solo and team events, as well as overseas champions, and students have the opportunity to compete throughout the world and participate in community events.
Máire O’Connell moved to Ventura from Galway, Ireland in 1978, speaks Gaelic as her first language, and is a graduate of University College, Galway, where she earned the credentials B.A., H.D.E., and LL.B. She is fluent in Spanish and five other languages. In Irish dancing, she was invited in 1999 to judge the All Scotland’s, All Ireland’s (the nations’ Irish Dance Championships), and the World Championships in Ennis, Ireland. She encourages her students to get involved in many community projects and benefit shows.
One parent, Christina M., reports that her children joined Claddagh using a New Student Coupon for a free month of Irish dance and have continued dancing and improving, learning dances and choreographies and traveling abroad to compete in and win world championships. Another parent, Julie D., states that the Claddagh School of Irish Dance taught her daughter Irish dance steps, gave her chances to dance on teams and do solos, and travel worldwide with other dancers, and that her daughter looked forward to class time and even learned a little bit of Irish history there.
Last updated February 11, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Price: Claddagh is currently offering a special for new beginner dancers. Check out our coupon for a free month of dance classes. This coupon is good at any of our locations.
The Claddagh Dance Company has added a touch of authentic Irish culture to the lives of Southern California communities since 1985 and has been family run for 35 years. The dance school is under the direction of Máire O’Connell, who began the Claddagh School of Irish Dancing in 1985 and has been dancing most of her life. Máire O’Connell is accredited to teach and adjudicate, has been certified as an examiner by the Irish Dancing Commission of Dublin, and has previously been President of the Western Region of Teachers and Adjudicators. She has been active in the Irish-American community, has held the position of president of the Irish American Club of Ventura County, and was a 1995 honoree of the City of Los Angeles for her participation in the Irish community of Southern California.
There are three additional certified teachers who run the various locations. Kelly Sullivan holds TCRG and ADCRG qualifications, and Annie Darlington holds T.C.R.G. and A.D.C.R.G. certificates and serves as choreographer. Annie completed her teaching certification (T.C.R.G.) and added an adjudication (A.D.C.R.G) certificate in September 2019. Kelly sat for the TCRG exam and was awarded her license on the first attempt and passed her ADCRG examination in 2012.
Claddagh Dance Company is the premier Irish dancing school in Southern California and describes itself as “More Than Just a Dance School. Fun. Fitness. Family. Become a part of our Claddagh dance family!” Students range from four to adult and learn a mix of solo and group dances in traditional soft and hard shoes. Students are of many ethnic backgrounds including Chinese, Filipino, German, Italian, and Polish, and the program states that Irish dancing truly speaks to all nationalities. Claddagh is proud to include over fifty North American Championship Irish dancers in solo and team events, as well as overseas champions, and students have the opportunity to compete throughout the world and participate in community events.
Máire O’Connell moved to Ventura from Galway, Ireland in 1978, speaks Gaelic as her first language, and is a graduate of University College, Galway, where she earned the credentials B.A., H.D.E., and LL.B. She is fluent in Spanish and five other languages. In Irish dancing, she was invited in 1999 to judge the All Scotland’s, All Ireland’s (the nations’ Irish Dance Championships), and the World Championships in Ennis, Ireland. She encourages her students to get involved in many community projects and benefit shows.
One parent, Christina M., reports that her children joined Claddagh using a New Student Coupon for a free month of Irish dance and have continued dancing and improving, learning dances and choreographies and traveling abroad to compete in and win world championships. Another parent, Julie D., states that the Claddagh School of Irish Dance taught her daughter Irish dance steps, gave her chances to dance on teams and do solos, and travel worldwide with other dancers, and that her daughter looked forward to class time and even learned a little bit of Irish history there.
Last updated February 11, 2026.
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