CONNOLLY SCHOOL
OF IRISH DANCE
Excellence in Irish Dance since 1977
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About us
At the Connolly School, we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality of Irish dancing training whilst inspiring all dancers to share our passion of the art form of Irish dancing. Our mission is to support every dancer along their journey to achieving their full potential.
We are more than just a dance school, we are a dance family! We offer a friendly and positive environment and encourage each student to work hard whilst supporting each other and working as a team.
We strive to create a healthy atmosphere that helps students grow in self confidence, be challenged, and learn valuable life skills.
Founder
Clare Connolly, TCRG
The Connolly School of Irish Dance is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most well-known Irish dancing schools.
Founded in 1977 by the legendary Clare Connolly, the school has played a significant role in the development of Irish dancing in New Zealand. Clare began teaching at just 18 years of age and achieved her T.C.R.G. qualification in 1974. Soon after, she established the Connolly School, registering it under the leading governing body, An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha.
Irish dancing is one of Clare’s greatest passions. Over the years, she has taught and influenced hundreds of dancers, always placing strong emphasis on friendship, teamwork, and a supportive environment. The team spirit at the Connolly School is second to none, making it a wonderful place for children to have fun, stay active, and form lifelong friendships in a safe and happy setting.
Becoming a teacher at a young age also enabled Clare to teach her own children. One of her greatest joys was watching her son Ciaran go on to perform with Riverdance and later Lord of the Dance. Her youngest two children, Siobhan and Martin, also joined these prestigious touring productions. Clare has travelled to many countries to watch all three of her children perform on the world stage and is immensely proud of their achievements.
In 2012, Siobhan returned to New Zealand after a ten-year international career with Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance. After qualifying as a TCRG, Siobhan took over as Director of the Connolly School, alongside her sister-in-law Katie Connolly-Kerrigan, TCRG. Katie and Siobhan toured the world together with Lord of the Dance and Celtic Tiger and now enjoy passing on their knowledge and experience to the next generation of dancers.
Although Clare has stepped back from teaching, she continues to play an active role in the administration of the school and loves being involved in exhibition and team dancing.
Throughout the past five decades, the Connolly School has competed and performed locally, nationally, and internationally, achieving numerous National Solo and Team titles, Australian International Oireachtas titles, and placings at the North American and World Championships.
In 1999, Connolly became the first school in New Zealand to take an 8-Hand Céilí team to the World Championships. In 2012, the school once again made history as the first New Zealand school to take a Senior Girls Open Figure to the World Championships in Belfast, where they achieved an outstanding 5th place in the world.
Teachers
Siobhan Lundon, TCRG
Siobhan began Irish dancing at the age of three, taught by her mother, Clare Connolly. She enjoyed a highly successful competitive career, winning numerous titles throughout her dancing years. After recalling at the World Championships and earning a World medal, Siobhan was honoured to be selected to join Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance in 2003.
Siobhan went on to tour the world extensively for ten years, performing in major international venues and landing the lead role of Saoirse in both Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames. She was privileged to perform the lead role alongside Michael Flatley himself.
During this time, Siobhan was also one of the few dancers selected to be involved in Michael Flatley’s Celtic Tiger production, where she worked as both a dancer and a member of the creative team. This production took her to many of the world’s most renowned venues, including Madison Square Garden, Wembley Arena, The O2 Arena in London, and The Point Theatre in Dublin, among many others.
As her performance career drew to a close, Siobhan appeared in Michael Flatley’s 3D film Lord of the Dance, released in 2011. She then went on to complete her T.C.R.G. qualification, leading her into her role as Principal Teacher and Director of the Connolly School of Irish Dance.
Siobhan’s deep love of Irish dancing continues through teaching, where she is passionate about passing on her knowledge, discipline, and performance experience to the next generation of dancers.
Katie Connolly-Kerrigan, TCRG
Katie began Irish dancing at the age of five, training with Kathleen O’Carroll at the Cross Keys School on the south side of Chicago. During her time at Cross Keys, she enjoyed a highly successful competitive career, winning several Midwestern Regional titles and placing numerous times in the top three nationally. Her greatest competitive achievements include winning two World medals, placing 8th and 11th for solo dancing at the World Championships of Irish Dance.
In 2004, Katie joined the cast of Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, beginning an 11-year professional performing career. She toured the world extensively with the production and was also part of the original cast of Flatley’s Celtic Tiger. Katie had the incredible opportunity to dance the lead role of Morrígan, performing alongside Michael Flatley himself.
Throughout her professional career, Katie held leadership roles within the company, serving as Female Dance Captain for several troupes and most recently as Assistant Dance Director under world-renowned choreographer Marie Duffy.
Katie became a qualified T.C.R.G in 2010 and taught with the Cross Keys School in Chicago before settling in New Zealand. She is delighted to be teaching in Auckland alongside her dear friend Siobhan, with whom she toured the world and shared the stage for over ten years. Together, they are passionate about passing on their experience, knowledge, and love of Irish dancing to the next generation.
