Inis Cairde School of Irish Dance

I've been a dancing with Inis Cairde for many years now--I started shortly after the school was formed. It is a wonderful environment for learning Irish dance, for developing lifelong friends and oh yeah-it's great exercise!! As an adult dancer we are encouraged to participate in as many, or as few, activities as appeal to us. We compete and preform as both individuals and groups. Classes are always fun and everyone learns at there own pace. There is a good balance of review and new information in each class, and I always look forward to going. It is certainly a great place to check out!! more

With the upcoming St. Patrick?s Day season, I am reminded of how lucky we are to be involved in a community that keeps our Irish heritage alive. Our family has been dancing at Inis Cairde for over 6 years ?we LOVE to dance there but it?s so much more than steps. My daughters have gained confidence, learned how to be a team player, learned how to win & lose graciously, how to set a goal and try their personal best - and most importantly have had a ball doing it. We have friends for life here, and instructors that my children adore. I highly recommend this school if you are looking to try Irish Dance! PS ? if you are looking for an adult program, this is the place. The owner is very supportive of our adult dance program and allows you participate at any level you are comfortable with! more

I have had the pleasure of dancing with Inis Cairde under Meighan since the school's inception back in '99 and have loved every minute of it. I began Irish dance as a way to connect with my Irish heritage and this school is amazing! Inis Cairde is an incredible school where students of all ages learn traditional Irish step dancing in a warm, loving, artisic, and creative environment. We learn the importance of team building, being positive role models for others, being kind and caring towards others,... the list goes on and on. Students have exciting opportunities in competitions and also to perform in live shows, including the Raleigh International Festival, and many St. Patrick's Day activites like the annual parade and festival in Moore Square. We not only learn steps and choreography but also the importance of stagecraft and being accomplished, self-assured performers in a professional manner. There is nothing like performing for a live audience-it's simply magic! I would strongly encourage anyone looking to try Irish dance to come to Inis Cairde. The name says it all, it's Irish for ""island of friends"". more

Our family has been at Inis Cairde for 8 years. They are not only a top notch Irish dancing school, they are a community of people who enjoy and support each other. We have found that within the school the dancers and families are incredibly supportive of each other, and new families are always welcomed and guided through the many new things they must learn about irish dance...especially the St. Patrick's Parade! You can spend as much or as little on this sport. You can compete a lot or a little. Even the end of year Benefit/recital is voluntary. The teachers are all very talented, and anyone who complains about high expectations does not need to be dancing or doing other sports or trying to learn an instrument for that matter . Being good at something requires discipline and teachers who love what they do and hold high standards for their students. Inis Cairde teachers do that. Why not 5 stars? Well, I wish the studio was closer to our house! more

When I first moved to the area it was a difficult transition and i was hoping to find some new friends. Well, Inis Cairde was my lifesaver. Not only did I meet some great people and develop some lasting friendships, but I was getting exercise at the same time! Classes are always fun and no matter your talent level you are given all the guidance you need. Thanks Inis Cairde! more

I have been involved with Inis Cairde for 9 1/2 years now and couldn't imagine being anywhere else! The staff is very knowledgeable, and concerned for the well-being of the students in their classes. The owner does a FANTASTIC job running the program and making sure that all of her classes are run in a professional manner, while still bringing fun into the class as well. The students are given lots of opportunities to perform all over the triangle, and if they wish to, are able to perform in competitions across the U.S. However competition is NOT required and therefore makes this sport very reasonably priced!! The tuition policy is laid out in the registration brochure and is informative about what to expect financially from the school. If a parent was to ever have a question about the school, or it's tuition policies , the owner and her staff would be more then willing to explain it and make sure that everyone was on the same page. The thing I love most about Inis Cairde however, is the positive environment that is provides children, they are not pushed to extremes, but are encouraged to do this if they love it. The school promotes an attitude of respect from its dancers and everyone looks out for everyone else. It is more or less, a very happy family! more

My daughter was an Irish dancer at Inis Cairde for 8 years plus. We started on a whim and didn't look back. She had a slow start in learning the sport and eventually became a beautiful dancer, rising to an advanced competitive level. more

I highly recommend this studio. I have two daughters who dance at Inis Cairde. They are both very passionate about Irish dance, and this is because of the wonderful group of instructors and families at Inis Cairde. All levels are made to feel welcome. Parents and teachers try very hard to make newcomers feel that they matter. The older dancers interact with the younger ones on a daily basis. Irish dance is a competitive sport, but there is no pressure to do so. The cost is very reasonable as far as tuition goes. The real costs are outside of the studio, when a dancer competes heavily, and this is not required at all! more

I am not sure I can put into words how happy I am with Inis Cairde. My daughter began taking lessons here in 2009. She LOVES it! Even at the age of 4 she could go out into the community and perform at nursing homes and march in the St. Patrick's Day parade. There is no pressure, just plenty of opportunity. She enjoyed it so much I decided to try it myself. I LOVE it too! It is a challenging workout, but super fun at the same time. If you are looking for an Irish dancing studio-this is the one! more

Looking for a great outlet for your child's energy? Give Irish dance a try! After 9 years, my daughter still has loads of fun. She NEVER complains about going to class and has made some wonderful friends (as have I!) This is an activity that even appeals to dads. You can do as much or as little as you want - competitions, shows, camps. Inis Cairde has really contributed to the development of all things Irish in Raleigh. Come to the parade on 3/12 and you'll see! more

I would recommend this dance school highly! Not only are the teachers great, but the families involved are welcoming and supportive of new dancers. Irish dance has much to offer; from the culture, to the competition, to the discipline. One thing we found refreshing is the focus on good sportmanship, as well as, an equally healthy challenging environment. We are happy to have landed in such a wonderful place and are proud to be part of the Inis Cairde family. more

My kids have been dancing with Meighan since they were 6, 4, and 3. They love irish dance and Meighan. They've been taking classes at Inis Cairde for over 11 years. They have had the opportunity to perform all over the city and have competed in local, national and world competitions. Above all else Inis Cairde is a big family where the dancers become great friends. Whether they are dancers who want to compete or dancers who just want to dance, they are encouraged to do their best and serve the community. Great lessons and tons of fun! Come and try it and see if you are a little bit Irish as well. more

Whether you've never seen Irish dancing before or you've danced as a child, you'll love this school. The classes are so much fun!! There are so many adults for you to perform at local events or serious competitions with. It's totally up to you. Just because you're an adult, there's no reason not to enjoy your workouts. Great teacher, great music, lots of opportunities to express your inner diva!! Come join the fun! more

I have been an Irish dancer for 5 1/2 years and have had many wonderful experiences doing so. I have been to 3 different irish dance schools during the past 5 years. I was so glad to here there was one in Raleigh for me to continue doing my ""sport."" I have been to the regional competition 3 times and the national competition twice. I have only been at In is Cairde for a year and a half and have had a lot of fun with all the shows and competitions. The St. Patrick's Day Parade in Raleigh is our biggest show of the year and is a blast. Last year was my first regionals as an In is Cairde dancer and I got 19th place out of 55 girls! I was beaming on =stage. My 8 hand team got 3rd out of 19 teams and I was about to cry I was so happy! Being able to come to Inis Cairde twice a week is great. I wouldn't want to spend my Tuesday and Thursday nights anywhere else. I have so many great friends and very fun and supportive teachers. I wouldn't be this great if it wasn't for my teacher Mrs. Meighan. I love her so much and think she is truly an awesome teacher. Thank you Mrs. Meighan!!! more

Irish dance is one of the most thrilling ways to get a good cardio workout. It's also really good for improving your core strength (lots of balance involved) and achieving toned legs. And what could be better motivation to move than Irish dance music? Inis Cairde is open to students of all ages, including adults. Students may choose not to compete, but Irish dance *is* a competitive sport. Meighan and everyone else at the studio do a great job of preparing students for local, regional, national and international competition. There are also plenty of opportunities to dance at shows and parades, especially around St. Patrick's Day. It's a great way to get involved in your community. more

I have two daughters who dance at Inis Cairde and they love the time they spend with their ""dance family"" both at the studio and dancing out in the community. We have been involved with the school for over 5 years and it has been such a positive experience. The owner has taught my daughters since they were 3 and 5 years old and has always been supportive and kind. more

i have been dancing at inis cairde for 5 years now, and i have loved every second of it. the teachers are very supportive, and give you great advice on how to be a better dancer. they make it fun, while helping you be successful. i have never seen anybody screamed at, but only been given constructive criticism. we do lots of fun performances, and each class is a lot of fun. you often start on the later side, but end later, so you still get the full hour. the owner of the school is very dedicated to all irish dancers, no matter what their age. it is such a fun sport, and you get a great workout while doing it. all the dancers are very supportive of one another, and i have met some of my best friends at this school. i highly recommend this to anybody, no matter what their age. more

This school is a wonderful experience for its students, no matter what their ages. The head of the school is dedicated to her dancers, from ""pre-Irish"" through adults. She teaches not just the steps, but a love of the Irish culture in general. Students also learn the discipline required to succeed in their dancing, be it solo or team. Friendships made here are made for life. The amount of time in class includes a very full warm-up - usually about 20 minutes - since Irish dance is a vigorous sport. This is considered a regular part of class time. There are some expenses involved with Irish dance, but the teachers and the Parents Assn work hard to keep costs under control. No one is getting rich off the school dresses! The class fees are reasonable and are pro-rated for the months that are shorter. I know that ""Mia Smith"" claims otherwise, but I think perhaps her math was off. In short, Inis Cairde is an excellent school for Irish dance, run by knowledgeable and caring people. I can't imagine any child not loving it. more

My daughters have grown into beautiful and fit dancers over the past 4 years... they are challenged and held to high expectations but in a supportive way. You can do as much or as little as you'd like, and the best part is that you are part of a family-friendly environment that has roots in traditional Irish customs. We have really gotten the whole family involved in Irish Dance and we just love it. I'm so glad we were able to find such an excellent studio on the first try. more

I took Irish dancing as a kid in the midwest and thought I might pick it up again a few years ago. I was a little apprehensive about it, but found all the people at Inis Cairde very welcoming and supportive. The classes and performances have been well organized, professional and REALLY FUN! My teacher (the owner) is incredibly clear and encouraging in her instruction. The opportunities for performance and competition are also fantastic. I definitely fell in love with dancing all over again! more