Pakenham · Melbourne, Victoria
McAleer Irish Dance School
Family-run Irish dance school founded in 1973 by Kathleen McAleer ADCRG. State, National and World Championship competitors since 1974, with classes from 18 months to adults.
- Cultural & Folk
- Children's Dance
How McAleer Irish Dance School comes across
McAleer Irish Dance School comes across as a lineage-driven Irish dancing institution where cultural and family continuity is the whole story. Its public history traces a clear line of transmission: founded by Kathleen McAleer ADCRG, who taught Irish dance "for over 50 years," joined in 1996 by her daughter Fiona Holmes ADCRG, now principal and a qualified adjudicator — with the site quietly recording Kathleen's passing in December 2024. Teachers are credentialed and registered with the Australian Irish Dancing Association and the Irish Dancing Commission in Ireland, anchoring it firmly in the formal CLRG tradition. The school presents real competitive heritage — state and national titles "since 1974," students placing at the World Championships and touring with shows such as Lord of the Dance — yet frames its range as deliberately wide, "From Jump'n Jig to Just for Fun and to National Champions," welcoming children "from 18 months" through to adults. The impression is of a serious, multi-generational cultural school that takes both world-level competition and the casual beginner equally to heart.
An editor's impression, drawn from the school's own website and public materials, 13 June 2026. Not a review — if it misses the mark, the school or a parent can tell us via the form below.
About the school
The McAleer Irish Dance School was founded in 1973 by Kathleen McAleer ADCRG and is now led by her daughter Fiona Holmes ADCRG as principal. The school operates from a dedicated 10x13m sprung-floor studio inside The Salvation Army Church at 51 Bald Hill Road, Pakenham, with a second teaching location in Narre Warren. All teachers hold ADCRG or TCRG qualifications and are registered with the Australian Irish Dancing Association (AIDA) and the Irish Dancing Commission (CLRG) in Ireland. Students have won state and national titles since 1974, placed at the World Championships, and toured professionally with Lord of the Dance. The school also hosts its own McAleer Open Championships event. Classes run from 18 months through to the adult class.
At a glance
What stands out
- i.Founded 1973 — 52 years of continuous operation
- ii.State, National and World Championship competitors
- iii.AIDA and CLRG Ireland registered teachers
- iv.Hosts the McAleer Open Championships
- v.Dedicated sprung-floor studio