Teacher Biographies

Pauline Healy-O’Donnell TCRG

I started dancing at the tender age of 5 for Ms. Lindsay – a very well known dancing teacher in the North East region. I continued to dance competitively until the age of 20 where I was placed very highly in all competitions. I then went on to become a member of a dance troupe which toured all around Europe long before the Riverdance and Lord of the Dance extravaganza.

In December 1980, I sat my TCRG exam and have taught Irish dancing for the past 35+ years. I have taught an impressive number of children over the years to World Championship level including ceili teams to the same level. My love for Irish dancing is evident in my teaching and I take time and precision with each child giving 100% of my dedication.

Roisin O’Donnell TCRG

Born and raised in Newcastle upon Tyne, I started dancing at the age of 4 years old. I competed until the age of 18 and during that time I was placed in the top ten of most major competitions.

In 2003, I was asked to join Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance. Up until August 2010 I travelled all over the world with LOTD including Celtic Tiger and Feet of Flames. During this time I became one of the principal dancers as Saiorse (the “Good Girl”), which is one of the highlights of my dancing career to date.

I sat my teachers exam in December 2007 with the idea of eventually joining my mam and helping out with the dancing school once I left the show. I retired from the show in 2010 and it is now that I am able to fully commit myself in teaching Irish dancing and to pass on my knowledge and advice to the younger generation.