Claddagh Dance Company
Claddagh Dance Company, 1729 E Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001
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, learning a mix of solo and group dances in both styles of shoes. The program includes students from four years old through adult.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Price: Claddagh is currently offering a special for new beginner dancers: a coupon for a free month of dance classes, good at any of their locations.
The Claddagh Dance Company has been family run for 35 years and has added a touch of authentic Irish culture to Southern California communities since 1985. It is described as “California's Premier Dance School” and “the premier Irish dancing school in Southern California.” Irish dancing at the school crosses all ethnicities, and students have the opportunity to compete throughout the world and to participate in community events.
Máire O'Connell, SDCRG, began the Claddagh School of Irish Dancing in 1985 in Ventura, California, and is the director of the dance school. She is accredited to teach and adjudicate and has been certified as an examiner by the Irish Dancing Commission of Dublin, and she is fully accredited to teach and adjudicate by the Irish Dancing Commission of Ireland. She is a graduate of University College, Galway, with B.A., H.D.E., and LL.B. degrees, and she is fluent in Spanish and five other languages. Kelly Sullivan holds TCRG and ADCRG qualifications, sat for the TCRG exam in 2001 and was awarded her license on the first attempt, and passed her ADCRG examination in 2012. Annie Darlington completed her teaching certification (T.C.R.G.) and added an adjudication (A.D.C.R.G) certificate in September 2019, and she is a regular teacher in both South Bay and Ventura and serves as choreographer.
The program’s mission statement is summarized as “Fun. Fitness. Family. Become a part of our Claddagh dance family! Hard Work Means Something. Sprinkle in a Little Fun. Start Young or Old.” Claddagh is proud to include over fifty North American Championship Irish dancers in solo and team events, as well as overseas champions. In 1995, Máire O’Connell was an 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, and 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.
The Claddagh Dance Company has involved students in community events since 1985. Máire O’Connell is active in the Irish-American community and has participated as a speaker and a judge at a variety of events, and she is a past President of the Irish American Club of Ventura. She encourages her students to get involved in many community projects and benefit shows.
One parent shared that their children joined Claddagh after receiving a new student coupon for a free month of Irish dance and that they have been dancing and improving since then, learning dances and choreographies and traveling abroad to compete in and win world championships. The same parent noted the respect students have for their teachers and each other, and that older dancers take care of beginning dancers. Another parent said that the Claddagh School of Irish Dance taught their daughter Irish dance steps and gave her confidence, that she danced on teams and in solos, traveled worldwide, and that Irish dance became a passion, a home, and a safe place for her, with teachers greeting the kids and asking about their day and sharing a little Irish history during class.
Last updated August 10, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Price: Claddagh is currently offering a special for new beginner dancers: a coupon for a free month of dance classes, good at any of their locations.
The Claddagh Dance Company has been family run for 35 years and has added a touch of authentic Irish culture to Southern California communities since 1985. It is described as “California's Premier Dance School” and “the premier Irish dancing school in Southern California.” Irish dancing at the school crosses all ethnicities, and students have the opportunity to compete throughout the world and to participate in community events.
Máire O'Connell, SDCRG, began the Claddagh School of Irish Dancing in 1985 in Ventura, California, and is the director of the dance school. She is accredited to teach and adjudicate and has been certified as an examiner by the Irish Dancing Commission of Dublin, and she is fully accredited to teach and adjudicate by the Irish Dancing Commission of Ireland. She is a graduate of University College, Galway, with B.A., H.D.E., and LL.B. degrees, and she is fluent in Spanish and five other languages. Kelly Sullivan holds TCRG and ADCRG qualifications, sat for the TCRG exam in 2001 and was awarded her license on the first attempt, and passed her ADCRG examination in 2012. Annie Darlington completed her teaching certification (T.C.R.G.) and added an adjudication (A.D.C.R.G) certificate in September 2019, and she is a regular teacher in both South Bay and Ventura and serves as choreographer.
The program’s mission statement is summarized as “Fun. Fitness. Family. Become a part of our Claddagh dance family! Hard Work Means Something. Sprinkle in a Little Fun. Start Young or Old.” Claddagh is proud to include over fifty North American Championship Irish dancers in solo and team events, as well as overseas champions. In 1995, Máire O’Connell was an 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, and 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.
The Claddagh Dance Company has involved students in community events since 1985. Máire O’Connell is active in the Irish-American community and has participated as a speaker and a judge at a variety of events, and she is a past President of the Irish American Club of Ventura. She encourages her students to get involved in many community projects and benefit shows.
One parent shared that their children joined Claddagh after receiving a new student coupon for a free month of Irish dance and that they have been dancing and improving since then, learning dances and choreographies and traveling abroad to compete in and win world championships. The same parent noted the respect students have for their teachers and each other, and that older dancers take care of beginning dancers. Another parent said that the Claddagh School of Irish Dance taught their daughter Irish dance steps and gave her confidence, that she danced on teams and in solos, traveled worldwide, and that Irish dance became a passion, a home, and a safe place for her, with teachers greeting the kids and asking about their day and sharing a little Irish history during class.
Last updated August 10, 2026.
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