Sacred Heart University’s Claddagh Irish Dance Team traveled to New York City (NYC) on Feb. 21 to participate in a master class from dancers of Trinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC) before attending the company’s performance later that evening.
The trip included both a workshop and a professional performance giving dancers the opportunity to learn choreography from touring performers and observe the company’s work on stage.
TIDC is known for blending traditional Irish step dance with contemporary movement and theatrical storytelling. The Chicago-based company tours internationally and is recognized for expanding the artistic possibilities of Irish dance.
Contributed by Allison O’Riordan
The Claddagh dance team is currently in its 10th year and performs throughout the academic year at campus events and showcases. The team rehearses regularly during the semester while preparing multiple dances for performances.
“We focus on traditional Irish dance blended with performance Irish dance,” said Allison O’Riordan, coach of the dance team. “Most of our pieces incorporate traditional footwork with added arm movements that would not typically be seen in competitive Irish dance.”
The program has recently emphasized professional training opportunities and prepares choreography during weekly rehearsals to maintain their repertoire of dances performed throughout the year.
“We have focused more on performances and workshops with industry professionals rather than competitions against club teams,” said O’Riordan. “We maintain a structured rehearsal schedule to ensure each dance receives adequate time and attention so that all dancers are confident and the performances are polished.”
The team’s connection with TIDC began after the group hosted a workshop at Sacred Heart University in 2024. The professional dancers later invited the team to participate in a master class while the company was touring in NYC.
Junior Ava Leddy, who attended the workshop with her teammates, is one of Claddagh’s co-captains.
“When we found out they were on tour in NYC, we figured it would be a fantastic opportunity to bring our team there to watch,” said Leddy. “They offered doing a master class with us, which was an opportunity we didn’t want to miss.”
The class included choreography from TIDC’s repertoire and combinations led by members of the company.
“Learning from Trinity felt different because they focused a lot on storytelling through movement, not just technique,” said Leddy. “In our practices we work on our precision, so it was fun to think more about musicality, expression and how our movement fills the stage.”
Senior Elizabeth Kennedy is the other co-captain of the team and felt that their choreography introduced dancers to unfamiliar rhythms and combinations.
“The class with Trinity allowed each of our dancers to challenge themselves with new and creative rhythms,” said Kennedy. “Trinity gave us pieces of their repertoire to learn which we would then see in their show later that day.”
Following the workshop, the team attended the company’s performance in NYC. The show featured multiple group numbers and showcased the company’s approach to rhythm, formations and contemporary choreography.
“What stood out the most to me was their energy and connection as a whole group,” said Leddy. “There was a story behind every dance and every dancer looked committed to the choreography.”
The Claddagh team will continue preparing choreography for performances later this semester at Sacred Heart. Students will have the opportunity to see the team perform at the “Claddagh Irish Dance Team Showcase” on April 17 at 7 p.m.
