March 12, 2026 By Erin Blake Elefante, Community Editor
As St. Patrick’s Day approaches in Hingham—sometimes described as the “Irish Riviera,” with an estimated 40 percent of South Shore residents claiming Irish heritage—celebrations are underway.
One special Irish tradition thriving in our community is Irish step dance, and Hingham is home to an impressive amount of young talent. Speaking with students from Clann Lir Academy, it was clear how much joy the dancers find in their craft—from the reasons they first started dancing to the friendships and life lessons they’ve gained along the way.
The tradition of Irish step dance itself dates back centuries. Its roots can be traced to ancient Celtic traditions as early as the 12th century. While the dance has evolved over time, its defining characteristics remain: a still upper body and rapid, precise footwork.
Eight-year-old Hingham resident Reagan Holland shared how Irish step dance is woven into her family’s history. Reagan’s great-grandmother, Alice Russell, was the daughter of Irish immigrants who left Ireland during the potato famine to start a new life in the United States. Alice became a champion Irish step dancer and even performed on the radio in New York City in the late 1930s and early 1940s, wearing hard shoes so listeners could hear the rhythm of her steps.
Reagan’s mother, Danielle Holland, also grew up dancing Irish step, and Reagan’s younger sister Claire now dances as well—making Reagan the fourth generation in the family to carry on the tradition.
Reagan began dancing when she was just two years old and is currently ranked 13th nationally in her age category. Her favorite part is performing.
She is looking forward to the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day performances around town, the next feis (pronounced “fesh,” traditional Irish dance competitions), and Nationals this summer in Orlando.
“I like dancing because it makes me feel brave and confident,” Reagan says.
She especially loves the special dress ordered from Ireland that she wears for solo competitions. Reagan explained that reels and jigs are performed in soft shoes without making noise—similar to ballet—while other dances use hard shoes that create rhythmic sounds in time with the music. Her favorite move is called “Birds,” which she proudly demonstrated with impressive height and energy.
Costumes vary depending on the performance. Sometimes dancers wear simple leotards and skirts, while competitions often call for elaborate dresses, wigs, and makeup. Reagan admits the bobby pins can be a little uncomfortable, but says she still enjoys dressing up for performances.
The Hollands also celebrate their heritage through food. Every St. Patrick’s Day they bake dozens of loaves of Irish soda bread to share with friends and neighbors, using Alice Russell’s award-winning recipe, which has taken top honors for best soda bread at a feis two years in a row.
Clann Lir Academy owner and director Anthony Fallon knows the art form well. Fallon grew up in Dublin and spent 14 years traveling the world as a principal dancer with the acclaimed show Riverdance. He is also a four-time Irish Dance World Champion.
After a decade choreographing for a local Hingham dance studio, Fallon purchased the studio and launched Clann Lir Academy, which now operates in both Hingham and Newport, Rhode Island.
“Crossed, turned-out feet with arms that don’t move—that’s the hardest part of Irish dance,” Fallon explains. “Trying to jump high off the ground while keeping your arms by your side is very challenging.”
Classes at Clann Lir are grouped by skill level rather than age, allowing younger dancers to learn alongside older students. “We are a very tight-knit school,” Fallon says. “The older dancers help the younger ones, and they really look up to the leaders in the program.”
While the style of dance can vary slightly depending on where it is taught, Fallon says the differences are subtle.
“Americans are often known for being more athletic, while Irish dancers are sometimes seen as more graceful,” he says. “But because so many Irish dancers teach in America, the styles really blend together.”
Most students begin between ages three and five, though new dancers often start as late as eight. Fallon has even begun offering adult classes—and interested adults are invited to try a free trial class.
“You have to commit to it,” Fallon says. “Whether you want to be the best dancer in the world or just someone who loves to dance, it takes work. But it teaches kids structure, discipline, and that hard work leads to results.”
Performing in front of large crowds can be intimidating, especially for young dancers. Fallon notes that taking the stage in front of hundreds of people during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations is no small feat for an eight-year-old.
For many families, however, the rewards far outweigh the challenges.
Hingham mom Jackie Fanning enrolled her daughters in Irish dance as a way to connect with their heritage and channel their toddler energy.
“Our oldest daughter Ellie has been dancing for almost eight years, and our youngest, Katherine, for five years,” she says. “We’ve learned that the highly competitive sport requires tremendous athleticism, stamina, and focus, along with artistry and grace.”
Both girls now compete at the national level and hope to one day compete at the World Championships.
“The girls love Irish dance because of the choreography and the ability to express themselves through movement,” Fanning says.
“But most of all, they love the friendships they’ve made in the dance community.”
Irish dance has also become a beloved tradition at Hingham’s South Elementary School, where students have performed at the annual pre–St. Patrick’s Day assembly for more than a decade. This year, seven South School students will perform for classmates and teachers, along with a special fiddle performance by fifth-grader Kate Fleming.
The enthusiasm for Irish step dance continues to grow locally. One Clann Lir student recently placed 19th at the World Championships—an impressive accomplishment for a studio that has been operating for just eight years.
With so many talented young dancers in Hingham, the future looks bright.
Check out the schedule below to see where these talented students will be performing around town this week. Grab a green beer, celebrate the season, and enjoy a vibrant Irish tradition right here in our community.
Sláinte!
Clann Lir Academy is located at 38 Whiting Street in Hingham. For more information, visit their website https://clannliracademy.com/.
