Who We Are

Clare Grant

Hi 🙋🏻‍♀️ My name is Clare Grant. I am 27 years old and I work in marketing.

I have been dancing since I was about 4 years old. I have always loved Irish dancing, especially being part of a team and getting the opportunity to travel. It was a huge part of my childhood.

I stopped dancing competitively when I was 19. I joined SBIDA in 2018 and was so glad I found it as I hadn’t danced in years and I was eager to keep up the skill and meet new people.

What I love most about SBIDA is the fun element rather than being competitive. The ceili nights are some craic and it is fun learning new routines for the performances. I love team dances and my favourite solo dance is the Hornpipe.

Ethan Loughrey

Hello! I’d been trying to find an outlet for dancing after ‘retiring’ and, following a suggestion from my wife, started the process which would lead to the creation of SBIDA.

Since then it’s been an incredible, non stop adventure that’s introduced me to some of the most amazing people and I can’t wait to see where we go from here.

Linda McGirr

Hi, I’m Linda and I am a lecturer at Ulster University. I started dancing when I was 4 years old with the O’Kane School of Irish Dancing in West Tyrone although I think my big sister Donna was teaching me long before then! My favourite dances were always the slip jig and the reel because I loved how light and free I felt dancing them. One of my proudest dancing moments was winning my first All Ireland and International Championship gold medal with my fellow team mates for the 8 hand reel, we felt on top of the world! Having retired from competitive dancing some(!) years ago, SBIDA provides a really fun and supportive environment to continue doing what I love and to teach others.  

Donna Muldoon

Hello! I am a photographer and designer living near Portland, Maine. When I am not posting to Instagram, you can find me shooting weddings and portraits.