Meet Claddagh

California's only Irish Dance school to win World Irish Dance Championship titles in Solo, Céilí, and Figure Choreography. 

The Claddagh Dance Company has added a touch of authentic Irish culture to the lives of Southern California communities since 1985. 

Students range from ages four to adult, learning a mix of solo and group dances in the traditional soft and hard shoes. 

Beyond dance classes, students have the opportunity to compete throughout the world and participate in community events.

Máire O'Connell, SDCRG opened the Claddagh Dance Company in Ventura, CA in 1985. She moved to Ventura from Galway, Ireland in 1978.  

Ms. O'Connell has been dancing most of her life and has obtained the highest accreditation from the Irish Dancing Commission of Dublin (CLRG) as a teacher, adjudicator, and examiner. 

She is active in the Irish-American community and participates in a wide variety of community events.  She encourages her students to get involved in many community projects and benefit shows. 

Annie has been a member of Claddagh since the age of 3. Under Máire's direction, Annie became a champion solo dancer and won countless team championship titles, including the Western US Regional, North American, All-Ireland, and World Championships. 

Annie began teaching with Claddagh in 2000, helping train new generations of dancers from new beginners to world champions. In 2011, she finally hung up her competition shoes to become a certified teacher with CLRG, and added an adjudication certificate in September 2019.

Annie expanded the Claddagh family with the opening of Claddagh South Bay back in January 2014 and continues to look forward to bringing a love of Irish dance to the Los Angeles South Bay community!