The Tara School of Irish Dancing was officially founded in 1999, in Sesto San Giovanni, Milan. The founders are Esther Bromley ADCRG (a champion Irish dancer from The Clifford Academy) and Biagio Mineo TMRF.
The Tara School is affiliated to An Coimisiùn le Rinci Gaelacha and is open to all of those who wish to learn and have fun with this wonderful dance form.

At The Tara School you can learn -

STEP DANCING (light and heavy). The most modern development of step dancing can be seen in the famous shows ‘Riverdance’ and ‘Lord of the Dance’. Our students have the opportunity to show what they have learnt by participating in FEISEANNA which are organised not only in Ireland, but are now held on a regular basis in mainland Europe. (See competitions menu) In fact the very first feis in Italy was organised by the Tara School in May 2006. (Milan Feis)

CEILI DANCING (group). You can learn easy, fun dances like The Walls of Limerick and some of the more complex dances like St. Patrick’s Day.

TMRF - In the very near future it will be possible for our adult dancers is prepare for this exam. Which means that they can become qualified teachers affiliated with An Coimisiùn.

Parallel to courses and workshops held not only in Sesto San Giovanni, but all over North Italy, Esther and Biagio have developed an artistic side to The Tara School, The Tara Dance Company performing and collaborating with many musicians.
Since 1999 The Tara Dance Company has performed at the most important Celtic Festivals, theatres and ‘piazzas’ both in Italy and abroad. They have collaborated with Italian groups such as The Birkin Tree, Folk Studio ‘A’, Inis Fail, Red Box, Trip to Ireland and many foreign artists, Cian, Calico, Lunasa, Flook, Liam O’Fynn, Steve Cooney, Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill, Martin O’Connor, to name just a few.

The Tara Dance Company presented their first show – ‘The Claddagn Ring’ in July 2000 at the 5th Interceltic Festival of Agrate. This was followed by their second show – ‘The Tara Brooch’ which, thanks to the incessant work of Esther, was presented for the first time in December 2001 in Sesto San Giovanni (MI). In this show there are over 20 dancers performing the various currents in Irish Dancing.

‘Interlace’ is a show which has grown out of the collaboration with Inis Fail. It represents the desire to portray a true integration of music and dance. It is performed by 12 dancers and 6 musicians.

In 2005 a brand new show – ‘Rock to the Reel’, was presented. Irish dance was performed to both traditional Irish music and modern music. A lively and entertaining show.

An Coimisiùn An Coimisiun le Rincì Gaelacha is the world's leading Irish Dancing governing body. It was set up in 1930 to regulate how Irish Dancing was taught and (at a later date) judged. For more information on An Coimisiun please visit the web site www.clrg.ie

TCRG is a teaching certificate given to candidates who have shown themselves to be competent dancers and who have passed both written and practical exams in teaching Irish Dance.

TMRF is a teaching certificate of ceili dancing. Candidates have to pass both written and practical exams in teaching Irish Ceili Dance.

Feis is an Irish step dancing competition. Feiseanna is plural for Feis. Only teachers that have passed there TCRG are permitted to enter their dancers at feisanna.


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Extracts from a letter received by the Tara School from An Coimisun.


10th May 2006

A Chara,

We can confirm that entries for all Feiseanna can only be accepted from suitably registered teachers and in doing so, trust that such dancers are registered with those teachers.

May we take this opportunity to assure you of our continued support and acknowledge the pioneering work you are doing to promote Irish Dance in Italy.

Is mise le meas,

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Maire Ní Threasaigh Mhic Riocard
Office Manager