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About Miss Mary & the school
Meet Miss Mary Sweeney
An experienced teacher, a lifelong love of Irish dance, and a passion for helping children grow.
Her story
Every dancer matters
Miss Mary Sweeney has spent more than 30 years sharing her love of Irish dance with children and families across Germany.
Originally from Ireland, Miss Mary began dancing at just four years old. That early passion became a lifelong journey through international competition, teaching, and adjudication, and eventually led her to establish Sweeney Irish Dance in Germany in 1993.
Today, Miss Mary’s approach combines traditional Irish dance technique with patience, encouragement, and a belief that every child can achieve something special.
She believes in teaching the fundamentals properly, helping children take pride in their progress, and creating an environment where dancers feel supported both as individuals and as members of a team.
Some students go on to compete at the highest international levels. Others simply discover a hobby they love, friendships they treasure, and confidence they carry into everyday life. Whatever their goals, every dancer matters.
From Co. Meath to Landstuhl
Miss Mary’s passion for Irish dance began at the age of four at the Farrelly School in Co. Meath, Ireland, under Mollie Farrelly SDCRG. She competed at the Leinsters, All Irelands and Worlds, and was a member of the Senior Ladies Céilí team that won World Championship titles in the late 1980s.
She moved to Munich in 1992 and founded her school in 1993, one of the first Irish dance schools in mainland Europe. It started with a handful of students in an Irish pub in Munich and is now one of the oldest and most active Irish dance schools in Germany, with classes in Landstuhl and on-base at SKIES. Over the past 24 years she has taught countless dancers in the Landstuhl area, many of whom went on to professional careers in dance.
Our dancers dance for fun, perform, sit grade exams and compete internationally. Good technique and good fun belong together.
Irish dance is more than steps. It’s belonging, confidence, and a place to shine. Whether you’re four or forty, there’s a spot for you in our class.
Miss Mary Sweeney
Credentials
Qualifications
TCRG
Certified Irish dance teacher (An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha).
ADCRG
Certified adjudicator, judging worldwide including the North American Nationals, All Scotlands and Australian Championships.
Grade Examiner
CLRG grade examiner.
Leadership
Co-founder of the Mainland European Teachers Association (RCCEA) in 2003; past Vice Chair of CLRG (An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha); involved in introducing the Aisling Award at the World Championships.
Miss Mary teaches our classes and is sometimes helped by trainee teachers and assistants.
What we value
The Sweeney way
Belonging
Families who move often find friends and continuity here.
Proper technique
Every level learns the same careful foundations.
Your own pace
Recreational or competitive, every path is valued. Competition is optional for recreational dancers; Intermediate / Prelim / Open dancers must compete regularly.
School history
Over 30 years of Irish dance
- 1992Miss Mary moves from Ireland to Munich
- 1993Miss Mary founds her school in Munich
- 24 yearsMiss Mary has taught countless dancers in the Landstuhl area
- 2003Miss Mary co-founds the Mainland European Teachers Association (RCCEA)
From our families
What parents say
My daughter has been taking Irish Dance from Miss Mary for a few months now and loves it. Miss Mary teaches the steps and techniques well and I feel she cares very much about each of her students and helping them to grow.
Melissa Lords
My daughter tried the summer camp that Ms. Mary offers and was immediately hooked! This year she has learned so much and Irish dance has quickly become her favorite activity. […] What makes it different than other types of dance is the fun Irish culture and environment you get to be a part of and learn about.
Cassie Naddell
My kids adore Mary and just had their first show, they love it and the classes are well scaled to whatever level they are at.
Michael Dionne
Irish dance is not only for competition, it also gives a child a healthy dose of self confidence and discipline. […] Just cannot say enough good things about Ms Mary Sweeney!
Scott Sims
Ms. Mary is simply the best all around coach/mentor/instructor you could ever hope to find. She teaches her students about personal responsibility at a young age and has only the best interest in mind for all of her students. […] She is simply the BEST!
Jason Shepherd
Ready when you are
Your first step starts here.
Choose a class and we’ll help you find the right starting point.