Grade Exams
Planned for June 9th in Blarney
Disneyland Paris Live
St. Patrick's Day, 17th March 2024. Live performance in the Videopolis Theatre in Disneyland Paris ☘️See Gallery page for pix and our YouTube page for videos.
Barry from Blarney
Our mascot, Barry the Bear from Blarney loves his school hoody and enjoys travel and mischief!
New Dress in Design
Delighted to have teamed up with O'Malley's for our new dress ... watch out for more pix soon!
Taylor Swift anyone!?!
Our raffle tickets were a big hit thanks to our first prize! All profits went to the dancers travelfund for those going to Paris. Thanks to all who supported. Winners drawn and shown on our Insta page.
Classes back
New terms starting. As always places go to returning/current dancers first.
Disney prep
We're heading back to Paris for a third time ????
Bookings being made and prep underway for our next tour.... ????☘️
Back to Classes
Classes start back and this year we will have some of our seniors/trainee teachers taking classes to hone their skills towards their final teaching exams!
Class Feis
Venue: Inniscarra Community Centre
Date: May 30th
Adjudicator: Kelly Brassil
Huge congrats to all our wonderful dancers who did us proud. A super display of the hard practise put in all year.
Berlin for Paddy's
Not much happening this year but the few of us die-hards went on tour anyway!
Berlin - a fab city - cosmopolitan, diverse, mad :) Great for a weekend.
The Brandenburg Gate on Paddy's Day.
Even a few steps were done in Berlins largest Beer Hall on Paddy's night ☘️
Followed by Ireland's victory in the Six Nations & Grand Slam Rugby - electric atmosphere in the Kilkenny Irish Bar, fair play to the boys in Green
Grade Exams
Venue: Tower, Blarney, Cork
Date: Feb 26th
Adjudicator: Miah Walsh ADCRG
Huge congrats to all our wonderful dancers who did us proud again with all honours :)
Gillian O'D, Rebecca, Aisling, Siobhán, Lisa, Ciara, Catherine, Erika, Ellie, Anna,
Jack, Danjoe, Maryellen, Leah, Elle & Grace.
CLRG Scandal
Disheartening but not surprising to teachers worldwide.
We made a strategic decision to step back from competition years ago with this being one of the main reasons.
The past years concentrating on travel and grade exams with minimal competition - only to give the experience/weekend away for the Munsters etc.
The silver lining is that we are now from grass roots up trying to push for change and accountability.
Munster teachers have been very united and strong in driving this, pushing for:
1/ an EGM which was achieved
2/ resignations of certain few 'in power' opposing accountability and change - some successful, others disappointing haven't gone
3/ change management professional group to be brough in to consult and drive changes needed - WIP
Dependent on the outcome, we will review our registration and decide whether to stay with CLRG or move!
Senior Citizens
We were delighted to be invited to perform for the residents of the Ballincollig Nursing Home.
More on this coming soon :)
Grade exams - July
Date: July 23-25th. Examiner: Nancy Troy O'Herlihy SDCRG
Venue: Blarney, Cork.
Huge congrats to Gina & Hannah who have now completed all 12 grade exams
Likewise, to all dancers who did us so proud in these exams including:
Karen, Aisling, Theresa, Melissa, Gillian O'D, Gillian H, Siobhán, Leighann, Dáithí, Lisa, Jack, Danjoe, Maryellen, Leah & Elle
Heard on the grapevine!
Free audience tickets for Réalta agus Gaolta :)
Check out the new TV show - you can book audience tickets for FREE if you're over 16.
Check out details on our TV Events page under our 'TV page'
Covid-19 came to town!
CoronaVirus came to town!
Classes ceased in March due to shut down.
We did manage to have outdoor class on June 8th in runners instead of dance shoes on an astro pitch in place of our lovely studio setting. Certainly an experience and worth a shot but unfortunately Ireland just doesn't have the reliable weather of Spain or Florida, so not going to be a feature. #staysafestayhome #staysafeandsane
Grade Exams - Jan & Sept
Date: 26th of January 2020.
Examiner: Seamus Ó Sé ADCRG.
Venue:Our studio in Blarney
Brilliant results as always - well done :) Hannah, Gina, Clare, Kelly, Niamh, Lucia, Karen, Aisling, Taisce, Isibéal, Steph, Ana, Heather, Rebecca, Emma, Molly, Jack & Danjoe.
Date: September 27th 2020.Examiner: Francis Curley ADCRG
Venue: Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare.
Gina is climbing the ladder taking having completed grade 11 of 12 grades.
Mags and Lucia are following closely by.
Antwerp Feis
Antwerp Feis we went to with great enthusiasm. However, found it was the worst run feis we have ever experienced where dancers were treated more like cattle than humans! We won't be back in a hurry, that's for sure.
Paddy's in The Hague
We performed in The Hague for St. Patrick's Celebrations - pix in gallery and videos on our You Tube channel.
Well done all, so proud of you Gina, Clare, Gobnait, Daria, Taisce, Steph, Emma & of course our dabbing expert Cathal :)
Grade Exams - March & June
Date: March 2nd 2019 Venue: Ennis
Three of our seniors made the trip to Ennis to continue with further gradings - well done Ladies, passed with flying colours as always - Hannah, Gina & Niamh.
Date:16th of June 2019 Venue: Blarney
Examiner: Elaine O'Herlihy ADCRG.
Venue: Our studio in Blarney
Brilliant results as always - well done :) Hannah, Gina, Clare, Gobnait, Niamh, Rachel & Patricia.
New Dancer Resources
Online video resource for dancers launched
Our site is now updated
with pages which are accessed by invitation only to current BDA dancers.
Lots of videos of steps/dances already up and running to assist with home practice
and more on the way.
Exciting times :)
Grade Exams
Date: April 22nd 2018Examiner: Michael Meehan ADCRG
Superb results as always with honours all around! Well done dancers.
Many thanks to our judge Miah Walsh ADCRG
who was very positive and friendly
putting all dancers at ease.
Class Feis
Venue: Tower Hall, Blarney Date: Sunday March 24th Judge: Clare O'Connor
A fabulous turnout from our child dancers and a superb day as always. All dancers did themselves proud
winning many medals and trophies. A new 'Advanced' Championship was added this year. See gallery page pix.
Well done all keep up the practice :)
Grade Exams
Date: October 2017Examiner:
Máire Mhic Aogáin ADCRG
Venue: Blarney, Cork.
Superb results as always - well done all.
Sinéad has now completed all 12 of the grade exams!
A long journey but well worth it.
Many thanks to our judge
Máire Mhic Aogáin ADCRG
who was very thorough,
respectful and fair to all dancers.
Summer Outing
Reliving the simple pleasures of our Rome accommodation - when we had a soccer/fun blitz on the Astro pitches in Inniscarra!
Far from Rome but still a bit of craic!
Mayor Reception
County Mayor Reception
Date: April 2017
Venue: County Hall, Cork
We received a very warm welcome from our then County Mayor Seamus McGrath. A special thanks for giving us such a special evening.
Our dancers got to sit in the seats where all the action happens (Councillors meeting room) and experience the views from a high!
A special thank you to Edel Bodie for all your co-ordination and hard work,
we really appreciated it.
Rome
Date: March 2019
We performed for 3 functions.
The Celtic Ball (Black Tie) in Hotel Quirinale & 2 at the Irish College in Rome Italy for St. Patrick's Week Celebrations.
In attendance were
Minister Charlie Flanagan,
Vatican Ambassador Emma Madigan,
Italian Ambassador Bobby McDonagh,
Clergy from numerous orders, Irish and Italian guests, ...
We also experienced the 'greening' of the Colosseum and were lucky enough to experience many of the delights Rome has to offer including the Papal Audience.
Rome continued
Some even had the pleasure of meeting our former President Mary McAleese during their stay.
On a travel note - we would highly recommend basing your stay at Villa Irlanda in Rome.
It is great value, central (the Colosseum is your neighbour!)
and accessible (the San Giovanni Metro Stop is a short stroll). There are comfortable clean spacious rooms in the villa which have a fridge in the room (single/twin/double/triple/quad) and two seperate fully fitted cottages ('Joseph' 5 person & 'Catriona' 6 person).
There is an outdoor pool (open May-Sept), astro pitch for tennis/soccer/football, a ball wall for camogie/hurling/ tennis/squash practice www.villairlandaroma.com
Class Feis
Venue: Tower Hall, Blarney
Date: Sunday January 29th
Judge: Denise Kelleher
A fabulous turnout from our child dancers and a superb day as always. All dancers did themselves proud
winning many medals and trophies.
A new 'Trad' Championship Shield was added this year.
All winners can be seen in the pix on our gallery page.
Well done all keep up the practice :)
Paddy's Day
Mini Munsters
We had 4 BDA and 21 Gaelscoil dancers who took part in the Mini Munsters.
21 students of Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers won 26 munster medals between them.
Our BDA dancers did us very proud also.
Taisce and Heather both won 3 munster medals each.
Shannon for her first feis won 2 medals in only 2 competitions entered!
Kelly topped the bill with three medals and a trophy
- she came 3rd overall in the trad set for all of Munster. Well done all :)
Class Feis
A fabulous turnout from our child dancers and a superb day.
All dancers did themselves proud winning many medals and trophies.
A new Invention Championship was added to great enthusiasm this year
with Eimear our first champion winner :)
Championship perpetual winners were:
Chloe, Megan, Grace, Adele, Róisín, Dayna, Ana, Heather, Taisce & Eimear.
Well done all :)
An Jig Gig
Our talented Kelly made the finals of An Jig Gig this year.
It televised in November 2015. What a dancer :)
Check out TG4 - An Jig Gig.
Class Feis
Venue: Ballyanly,Inniscarra Date: Sunday January 25th
A fabulous turnout from our child dancers and a superb day. All dancers did themselves proud winning
many medals and trophies.
Championship perpetual winners of were: Nell, Niamh, Caoimhe, Steph, Dayna, Taisce, Ana, Charlie & Cathal. Well done all :)
Sinéad got Wed
Our talented dancer of course was the most beautiful bride.
Congrats to Sinéad and Jolyon on your special day.
Wishing you many years of happy healthy times ahead.
Rose of Tralee
Cork Rose Selection
Our fabulous Hannah represented BDA in the Cork Rose selection in June 2015. Well done Hannah you did us proud :)
Hannah works as a music teacher at Midleton College. She also teaches SPHE and acts as YSI Guide for TYs. Education takes up a lot of this 27-year old’s time. She acts as co-ordinator for all school musical activities
while also taking responsibility for student golf. In addition, she travelled to Kolkata in February as part of a Hope Foundation immersion project. The Ballyclough native is also about to enter her final year of an Education Masters in UCC. Her other interests include Irish dancing and sport. She is a keen supporter of Cork hurlers and footballers!
#corkrose. See the Cork Rose Facebook page for more pix on the Cork Rose Selection.
Paris
CCI performance with Dusty Feet Céilí band -a sell out!
Based in Disneyland Paris from March 13th to 18th 2015 we brought a little Paddy's Day spirit to Paris for the week.
Centre Culturel Irlandais, Rue des Irlandais, Paris
We performed at the Centre Culturel Irlandais with the Dusty Feet Céilí Band to a sell out crowd.
Basilica de Sacré-Coeur, Paris 'greening'.
We supported the Irish Embassy, Tourism Ireland and Minister Richard Bruton TD as he turned the lights on the Basilica de Sacré-Coeur green for St. Patrick's celebrations. Performance including the Walls of Limerick with the Minister - fair play to him.
Disney experiences:
A private workshop with Disney Choreographer Kylie and a Celebration meal with the Disney Characters in Café Mickey, Downtown Disney Village, Disneyland Paris topped off the events as well as many more fun times and experiences.
Grade Exams x 2
May 2015
Venue: Blarney Resort
Date: May 24th, 2015
Examiner: Anthony Costello SDCRG
18 dancers took 22 grades between them and all honours including A plus!
Absolutely fabulous results.
Well done Sinéad, Christina, Hannah, Denise, Emma, Kelly, Shannon, Ana, Heather, Taisce, Isibéal, Eimear, Steph, Aoife, Leah, Adele, Dayna & Abbie.Jan 2015
Venue: South Court Hotel, Limerick
Date: January 11th, 2015 Examiner: Miriam McCarthy ADCRG
Three dancers took four grades between them and all honours - great results.
Well done Sinéad, Emma & Deirdre.
Bowling Fun
Bounce Zone
Lord Mayor Reception
Venue: Lord Mayor Chambers, City Hall, Cork
Date: March 20th, 2014
Many thanks to the Lord Mayor of Cork Catherine Clancy and her staff who gave our dancers a wonderful evening which will be lasting memories for many years to come including receiving their certificates from their dance grade exams.
More pix on our gallery page
Chocolate Factory Day Out
Every child and chocolate lovers dream!
A day in Eve's Chocolate Factory where we learned all about chocolate - the history, how it is made ... and got to make and EAT some
Paddy's Day in Blarney
More St. Patrick's Day fun at the Blarney Parade this year.
More pix on our gallery page.
Class Feis
Cork Teachers Feis
Sheila Hayes Memorial Feis
New Class Costume
New Class Costume (Uniform)
As worn by Síofra in the Munster Championships in Killarney.
Raffle winners (winner names removed due to GDPR)
1st - 4 ball golf Blarney Golf Resort
2nd - Meal for two including entry to Cork Greyhound Track
3rd - Hamper of Goodies (from the dancers)
4th - 4 crystal white wine glasses (Blarney Woollen Mills)
5th - Lunch for two @ Tung Sing Blarney
6th - Box of Chocolates
7th - Box of Chocolates
8th - Box of Chocolates
9th - Box of Chocolates
10th - Box of Chocolates
Congrats all and thank you for supporting our raffle.
Síofra the rising star
During the one weekend in November, Síofra not only took part in her first Munster Championships for Irish dancing in Killarney (CLRG) but also in the National Karate Championships in Dublin.
Well done Síofra - she is now the reigning Black Belt Girls 13-14 yrs Kata National Champion.
A title to add to her
other achievements of
5th seed in the Europe [European Karate Championships in Sheffield in October 2013 (came 4th after a joint 3rd) and]
8th seed in the World [WUKF World Karate Championships].
She also finds time to play piano and hockey as well as school of course - she's a first year student in Mount Mercy College, Cork.
Footstorm by Prodijig
Venue: Olympia Theatre, Dublin
We had a fab night in the Olympia for the New show by Prodijig - Winners of the TV Show 'Got to Dance'.
Lead dancer/Choreographer - Alan Kennefick from Cork.
Paddys' Day in Blarney
Halloween fun in Ashdale Studio
Ashdale Studio,
Ballyanly Class
& Vincents Class
Feis fun
Mini Munsters
Munsters
