Boyle O'Dowda

Academy of Irish Dancing

WELCOME

Welcome to the Boyle-O'Dowda Academy ("BOD"), which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2022!

We are a family-centred school, teaching traditional Irish Dance, and registered with An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG).

We hold classes across Hampshire, catering for dancers of all abilities and ambitions, from complete beginner to seasoned "pro", from solo competitor to ceili enthusiast. Our emphasis is on providing a safe, friendly and tailored learning experience to help each and every pupil enjoy dancing and to reach their full potential. Irish dancing is a unique and fun way to get fit, grow in confidence, and make friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

The Boyle O'Dowda Academy also hosts the annual Solent Feile (Facebook), a competition which attracts dancers from across the country and abroad.

Our teachers, Alice and Ailís have a wealth of experience and knowledge between them and are fully qualified instructors and adjudicators.

Please scroll down for more information, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Why Irish Dance?

The popularity of shows such as 'Riverdance' and 'Lord of the Dance' has propelled Irish dancing into the 21st century with a greater emphasis on athleticism, technical complexity and power. Yet still it retains many of its traditional values and steps, those aesthetic qualities which continue to mark it out as a unique and historically rich performance art-form.

Whether you prefer the lightening fast footwork and clicks associated with the heavy shoe, or the delicate toe-work and gracefulness associated with the light, Irish dancing offers something different and exciting.

Today's competitive dance scene demands unprecedented levels of fitness, focus and self-discipline if one is to reach the very top. But whether you're cut out to be a future world champion or not, Irish dancing is a brilliant and fun way to develop strength, balance, coordination, confidence, and friendships.

In Good Company

We have dancers young and old, male and female, from novice to regional champions. A good number have trained, performed and competed with the Boyle O'Dowda Academy since a very early age, through their teens and some into their twenties. Between them they have danced at fundraisers, festivals, weddings, theatres and on television, competed as individuals and in ceili, locally, nationally and internationally, and gone on to tour professionally with world renown shows including Riverdance.

Fancy joining us or coming along for a taster session? Contact us to request further details of local classes and opportunities.

Our Teachers

The Academy is run by Alice Boyle-O'Dowda (TCRG, ADCRG) and her daughter Ailís O'Dowda (TCRG, ADCRG). They are both fully qualified Irish Dance teachers and adjudicators who have judged at major competitions around the world.

Alice began dancing at the age of 3½ yrs. A former "All Ireland Champion", she won all the major competitions throughout Ireland before moving to the south of England where she has been teaching for over 50 years.

Ailís was the youngest winner of the American Nationals, taking the under 8's title at just 6 years old. She went on to achieve top 5 placings at the British Nationals, Great Britain, All Ireland and World Championships.

CONTACT

Competition, Ceili & Craic

Check out some of the Boyle O'Dowda Academy's most memorable recent moments.

Click on the Gallery link below.

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Contact Us

Want more information about class locations and times? Looking for Irish dancers for an exhibition or event? Have questions regarding the Solent Feile?

Please get in touch using the contact form provided here. Or alternatively, drop us a message via our Facebook page.