Director / Instructor
Mary began Irish dancing at the age of 4 under Mollie Farrelly in her home town of Rathkenny, Co Meath. Mary danced at the Farrelly School all her competitive years and competed at Leinsters, All Irelands and Worlds in both solos and teams. She enjoyed much competitive success, including been part of the Farrelly School World Champion Teams.
Having studied Business Studies in Dundalk RTC she then moved to Germany in 1992 and turned her passion to teaching others and performing. She toured with various Irish groups throughout Germany dancing at festivals and cultural events.
Mary is one of the pioneers of Irish Dancing in Europe and devotes her time to promoting Irish Dance on the continent. Mary is currently Vice President at RTME and has worked on the Overseas committee at CLRG for the past 9 years and most recently completed 4 years in the Chair of this committee. Her committee has reintroduced the Overseas Award as the new Aisling Award and continues to promote Irish Dancing to new regions throughout the World.
Her students enjoy plenty of competitive success and many have medaled at World Championship level. Mary qualified as an ADCRG in 2009 and has judged at Oireactasi all over the USA, Great Britain’s, Irish Nationals , North American Nationals and All Scotlands. Mary has judged in cities from as far away as Vladivostock to Buenus Aires.
Mary is the founder of Tir na nOg over 23 years ago and the reason why the school has enjoyed so much success is down to her sheer passion and devotion to teaching others. Mary currently teaches full time in Landstuhl and Ramstein to students from all nationalitys, German, Irish , English and American military children . She makes regular trips to Munich classes.