Irish Dance Classes in Philadelphia
Reels, jigs and hornpipes taught the traditional way in Northeast Philly — from a first beginner class to championship feiseanna, with ceili dancing for everyone in between.
Classes
Every new dancer starts in Beginner, whatever their age. Shoes are only needed once you move up.
Three Generations of Irish Dancers
Kilbrannan was founded in 1992 by a champion dancer from County Donegal who wanted Northeast Philadelphia's Irish community to have a school that felt like home. Thirty-four years later, many of our dancers are the children — and grandchildren — of her first students.
Our certified teachers keep the technique traditional and the atmosphere warm. Dancers who want to compete have a clear path to championship level; dancers who simply love the music have ceili, shows and parades to look forward to.
- ✓Certified Irish dance teachers
- ✓Every grade, beginner to championship
- ✓Ceili teams for all ages
- ✓St. Patrick's Day shows and parades
From First Reel to Championship
Dancers move up by winning placements at feiseanna. Teachers decide when you're ready to compete.
Beginner
Reel, light jig and first steps in soft shoe. Most dancers enter a first feis after six months.
Advanced Beginner
Hard shoe arrives — treble jig and hornpipe — plus slip jig for girls.
Novice
Longer, harder steps and competing in both soft and hard shoe.
Prizewinner & Championship
Set dances, solo costumes and regional and national championships for dancers ready to go further.
Competition Without the Confusion
A feis (plural: feiseanna) is an Irish dance competition. We attend about twelve a year across the Mid-Atlantic, and we make them easy for new families.
A feis-day checklist
What to pack, when to arrive, how the stages and numbers work.
Teachers at the venue
A Kilbrannan teacher warms up our dancers and watches every competition.
School costumes to borrow
Beginners compete in the school dress, borrowed from our costume closet.
No pressure to compete
Competing is always optional. Plenty of our dancers only perform in shows.
Passed Down Through the Generations
My grandmother danced in Ireland, my mother danced at Kilbrannan, and now my twins do. The teaching is as traditional and as warm as it was thirty years ago — and they still hand out a sticker for every clean treble.
Feis days used to terrify us. Kilbrannan sends a checklist, meets families at the venue and walks new dancers through everything. Our daughter placed at her very first feis.
I started adult classes at forty-five after watching my niece compete. It's the best workout I've ever had, and our adult ceili team performs every St. Patrick's Day.
Your First Month
Free Trial
Come in comfortable clothes and socks — no special shoes yet.
Join Beginner
One class a week learning the reel and light jig.
Soft Shoes
After a month, we'll help you choose the right ghillies or reel shoes.
First Show
Perform at our St. Patrick's Day shows or enter a first feis when you're ready.
Tuition by Grade
Billed monthly September to June. $30 family registration; 10% off each additional sibling.
Beginner
One class a week.
- 45–60 minute class
- Free first class
- St. Patrick's Day show
Grades
Two classes a week.
- Soft and hard shoe
- Feis-day coaching
- Ceili team eligibility
Irish Dance Questions
What age can my child start?
Four is a great age to start. Older beginners are welcome too — our Ages 8+ beginner class is full of first-timers.
What shoes do we need?
None for the trial — socks are fine. After a month beginners get soft shoes (ghillies for girls, reel shoes for boys). Hard shoes come at Advanced Beginner.
Do we have to buy a solo dress?
No. Beginners wear the school dress, which you can borrow. Solo dresses are only for Prizewinner and above, and never required.
What is a feis?
An Irish dance competition. Dancers perform in small groups by age and grade, and adjudicators award placements. We'll guide you through your first one.
Do you perform on St. Patrick's Day?
Yes — every dancer who wants to performs in our St. Patrick's Day shows around the city, and ceili teams march in the parade.
Can adults really start from scratch?
Absolutely. Our adult class starts at the very beginning and moves at a friendly pace.
Come Dance a Reel With Us
Wear comfortable clothes and socks. We'll handle the music, the steps and the welcome.
Book a Free Trial Class
Tell us your dancer's age and experience, and we'll suggest the right first class.
- Visit us7340 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19136
- Call us(215) 555-0183
- Email usoffice@kilbrannanirishdance.com
- Opening hoursMon – Thu: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Fri: Closed, Sat: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Sun: Closed