history

Prior to the late 1950’s in Queensland, there were no known structured Irish Dancing Classes other than those offered by the Scottish Highland Dancing Teachers of that era in Brisbane.

As a current qualified TCRG I recognise and acknowledge the efforts of these ladies, because without them Irish Dancing may not have commenced nor flourished and continued in this Region.

While Highland Dancing technique was evident in the Irish Dancing in Brisbane of those days, this did gradually change.

In late 1959 the QIA Irish Pipe Band travelled to an Irish Festival that was regularly held in Melbourne. It was recorded in the Minutes of a Meeting of the Executive of Qld Irish Association of that time, that Members of the QIA Pipe Band saw what they later realised was Irish Dancing being performed with correct technique by the Champion Dancers of the time in Victoria. These were pupils of well known Victorian Teacher – Geraldine O’Shea, ADCRG who had travelled to Ireland several times to learn the latest technique of Irish Dancing.

These dancers greatly impressed the Pipe Band members including well known Bandsman Bill (FT) Hanley. From this exposure to Irish Dancing, it was Bill’s and his colleagues greatest dream to have Irish Dancing in Brisbane and for Classes to be commenced at QIA Club Rooms for Members children, along with strongly promotion of the dancing by the Queensland Irish Association.

With no Irish Dancing Teachers in Queensland, Bill and other members of the Pipe Band promoted the idea to QIA to which they agreed. Classes began in the Clubrooms in November 1959 conducted by Highland Dancing Teacher Pearl Neilsen. Over many years others namely – Jill Dobbs and Helen Smith (nee Henry) – also taught Irish Dancing in varying degrees at QIA.

Over time it because evident that the knowledge and steps of Irish Dancing that these ladies could teach was limited. Continuing with his drive to wish Irish Dancing to expand, in 1960s Bill Hanley again took steps to have QIA support his idea (sometimes against strong resistance) he arranged for several Irish Dancing Teachers from Sydney, namely: the late Maureen Whelan (nee Dwyer) SDCRG, Janice Currie-Henderson, SDCRG and Geraldine French (nee Dunning) ADCRG to come to Brisbane to the QIA Class to teach the ‘latest’ steps to the dancers. The Class in those days was barely 15-20 in number – many being relatives of QIA Pipe Band members.

It was during those workshops over several years that I learnt about syncopation, Ceili Dancing, the lovely Set Dance tunes and even the Slip Jig that we had never learnt prior to these workshops. The style I had learnt prior to that was very low to the floor and fast – none of the recognised kicking actions that are so unique to the dancing today.

QIA, in an effort to assist Bill and his keen Pipe Band Members also decided after the first year to hold an Irish Dancing Competition. At the time only two Irish Dancing events were offered – the Reel and the Jig - the remainder of the day of the competition was filled with Highland Dancing events. Of course, in those days the many of the Scottish Highland dancers were also the “Irish Dancers” of that time.

This original event was the forerunner of what would become the annual QIA May Feis which continues today – the longest running continuous Irish Dancing Feis in Queensland. The beautiful Senior Trophy – “the Lily O’Connor Trophy” which is a magnificent rose bowl cup was commenced in 1961 and is still presented to this day to the Senior (Ladies) Title winner. With the demise of the QIA Clubrooms in 2015, it is through the dedication and efforts of the current QIA Dancers Teachers and Class, that this Feis has continued, however sadly it is no longer held in the magnificent heritage listed building that was the QIA Clubrooms.

With Queensland Irish Dancing lagging behind in it’s early days, our southern cousins from Victoria and New South Wales, where Irish Dancing was much more advanced – the Teachers from those States formed the corp of the Membership of the newly inaugurated AIDA (Australian Irish Dancing Association) in 1968. AIDA Qld Branch was established with 6 Members in 1973 which brought them into the fold with other Branches throughout Australia of AIDA. None of those foundation Members were qualified Teachers at that time. AIDA Qld held it’s first State Championships in 1974 with a total of 21 Competitors across all age groups.

I was amongst a group of 3 Dancers who competed in the 1969 Australian Championships in Sydney - the first Queenslanders to do so.

I continued to compete in the Australian Championships in 1970 and 1971, and in 1972 when I achieved the status of being the first Queenslander to place at the Australian Championships – 10th Place. In comparison to the current era, that was a small achievement, however for a Queenslander it was a remarkable accomplishment.

I was the first qualified TCRG in Queensland in 1973 and I also continued and became qualified as an ADCRG in 1981. Many Dancers have followed on and completed their TCRG qualifications over the past 50+ years. They have commenced their own Dancing Schools mainly throughout the south-eastern areas of Queensland. We have also welcomed over the years Teachers from Ireland and Interstate into our ranks.

The first Queensland female Australian Champion was Joanne Cook (Shaw) from the Williams School for the Senior Ladies Championship in 1986.

The first Queensland male Australian Champion was Michael O’Connor from Chase Academy for the Intermediate Boys Championships in 1984.

The first Queensland Australian Champion Team was Lynagh Studio for the Under 13 years 4 Hand Ceili in 1979.

The first Queensland Team to win WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS was Chase Academy for Dance Drama in 1984.

Queensland first hosted the Australian Championships in Queensland at Redcliffe in 1983. Qld has since hosted the Australian National Championships a further 8 times – the most recent in 2025.

I was granted Grade Examiner status in 2014 along with 3 other Queenslanders – Breeda Peirce, Cheryl Young and Cherie Hearn. We were amongst the first group of Grade Examiners appointed by CLRG in Australia. We have since had further Examiners appointed within Queensland ranks as Grade Examiners.

AIDA Qld currently has grown to 50+ Members across all areas of the State with hundreds of Dancers attending regular Irish Dancing Classes each week.

Several Queensland Dancers have danced the Lead Roles, both Male and Female in “Riverdance” – with others also have toured with shows including “Lord of the Dance”.

Many Queensland Dancers have also gone on to successfully competed at World Championship level, several attaining World Medal winning status.

Irish Dancing has now spread across the vast distances of Queensland, again with great thanks and dedication to the Highland Dancing Teachers of those areas, some of whom have now also gone on to become qualified TCRGs, ADCRGs and Grade Examiners themselves. Their promotion of Irish Dancing in the very remote areas of Queensland are a credit to their dedication, often under very difficult circumstances.

We have come a long way with Irish Dancing in Queensland. What might be next for us -  a Queensland World Solo Champion?

Vicki Lynagh, ADCRG BG – AIDA Life Member