Tapping Into Local Talent
Photos by Louise Whelan and Joan Redmond
Nestled within our thriving communities, the Morton Academy School of Irish Dancing offers a unique and vibrant opportunity for the young to connect with Ireland’s rich cultural heritage through the art of dance.
Founded by the passionate and experienced dance teacher, Joan Redmond who brings the magic of Irish dance to life through her fun and dynamic classes, which emphasize not only technical precision but also the joy of movement and a strong sense of community that defines Irish dance. Here, students develop a strong foundation in both the fundamentals of the art and the values of discipline, teamwork and perseverance.
Joan, who was an Irish dancer at a young age up until she finished dancing at 22, had helped out her own teacher in the classes when she got older with doing shows or weddings so she learned everything in those years and even though she went down a different avenue by training as a hairdresser and taking some time out from dancing to focus on other aspects in her career, she was called back into the dance world when she was asked to help out another lady down in Carlow who couldn’t continue her classes due to pregnancy and back trouble so the teaching side in Joan was unleashed and she got the buzz back and knew then that she wanted to start up her own dance academy.
That was 10 years ago and now her academy is flying. She wanted a whole new fresh start with a vision of making it bigger and better than she ever thought possible. She studied and did all of her exams with CLRG (An Coimisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha) which is the oldest and largest governing body for competitive Irish step dancing globally. Founded in 1927, CLRG is responsible for creating a standardised system of Irish dance, music and competitions for its member organisations in 26 countries. And Morton Academy School is part of that alumni.
Joan started her very first classes in Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre 8 years ago and is still there, growing from strength to strength with a few of the same children there since day one and she has got to know their families and they are a huge support to the group. Obviously, she has lost a few children through the years due to other activities that they loved more, like sports or singing but the numbers always seemed to grow regardless.
Both her parents are from Ringsend and Joan is originally from Ballybrack but all her family are still local so that is why she started her business here. Her grandparents were the Morton’s from South Lotts so she used the family name for her school due to them being very Irish, very Republican and absolutely loved her dancing. They were her biggest supporters along with her parents and family so honouring them that way felt perfect as they would be so proud.
She then decided to expand the class to neighbouring Pearse Street which was also another area of interest to Joan so St Andrew’s Resource Centre took her on to start her classes there. The age range in the academy is for age 4 and upwards to the late teens. There is no adult class though the groups are so big now with 30 kids and still room for more members! Everyone starts at the beginning stages so they learn their basics 1, 2, 3’s and there’s so many different dances for beginners, a reel, a jig, slip jig, single jig, treble jig and a hornpipe so they are the fundamental basics that you would start off with and then upgrade as time goes on. A lot of the kids are upgraded to the next level and it brings with it the confidence to maybe showcase your level of skills in a competition.
The CLRG Federation is probably the toughest one to dance and compete in but the kids in both classes that do want to majorly compete are doing amazing at the moment and also doing that at young ages. Joan has girls aged 8 and 9, up to 15 that are competing and smashing goals left right and centre. Every week they are attending Feis’s and that really gives them the grit to practice and work hard.
Now, not all the children are going to want to compete and it is not a requirement but that doesn’t stop them from learning and they are still involved in every part of the classes, cheering on their fellow friends and being so chuffed for them. Parents want their kids to engage with others, for the fun and social aspect, the routines and fitness. And they get to be part of their own class Feis which is something they can work towards being part of the group.
The school was brought down to the World Irish Dance Championships which were held in the Convention Centre in April to see what their aim was and if that was their goal or something that they would like to achieve and what they would need to do to reach that level of excellence. As the group is so involved in competitions all over Ireland, Morton Academy School of Irish Dancing is now fully recognised and the kids are well known with other schools, other teachers, adjudicators know how well they are progressing and you do need to know what you’re up against in order to put your best self and foot forward as it is a competition at the end of the day. These girls have charged towards competitions well beyond Joan’s expectations and she is immensely proud of all her crew.
And she was over the moon when two children were asked to be flag bearers at the opening ceremony in the Convention Centre. Amelia Boylan from South Lotts and Remi Doolin from Pearse St were chosen from the groups name lottery so everyone had an equal chance and they had a wonderful time experiencing this high level excitement on the grand stage at such a top class worldwide event.
Joan is such a remarkable dance teacher and there are few that can capture the heart, energy, and passion of the tradition. Her commitment goes far beyond steps and routines, she has a deep respect for culture and the history behind the art and connects with each child on a personal level, fostering self confidence, self esteem, and a sense of belonging creating an environment where every child feels valued, and where each success – no matter how small – is celebrated through support and encouragement.
Joan’s future plans are to grow the academy even more and get some boys in the class for team dancing, also having another dance teacher to assist her due to the amount of kids in the classes which would benefit everyone. And just working towards championship level and hitting targets. The last half of 2024 and up to now for the Morton Academy has just been a whirlwind and what these kids have achieved is phenomenal.
Classes are 5pm – 6.30pm on Tuesdays in Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre and 5.30pm – 7pm on Fridays in St Andrew’s Resource Centre. If you would like your child to join, please get in touch with Joan Redmond by email joanredmond@hotmail.com or phone 0866097687 and you can follow all the goings on with the Morton Academy School of Irish Dancing on Facebook and Instagram.
