- Director Barbara Joyce

The Claddagh School of Irish Dance opened its doors in 2005 in Carrollton, GA. Barbara Joyce, owner and director, saw the need for a school where students and parents could enjoy Irish step dancing without the stress of competitions, expensive costumes, and expensive tuition. The students learn in a loving, stress-free, fun environment and enjoy the dancing much more. Barbara not only teaches the dancing but also brings her Irish culture and heritage into the classroom.

The Claddagh Irish Dancers not only have recitals; they also enjoy dancing at nursing homes, assisted-living homes, churches, schools, fall festivals and libraries throughout the year. For the past several years, the senior dancers have performed in Rome, Georgia with a 120-piece orchestra including three companies of bagpipes and the Berry College Concert Choir. It is a yearly event that the students always look forward to.

Students are both boys and girls and range in age from tiny tots (four and five -year-olds), beginners and advanced beginners (six to eighteen years old) and adults. There are several mother-daughter teams and home schoolers may have their own separate class.