Local Irish dance school to perform at German Township Library for St. Patrick's Day

T. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. – A local Michiana dance school is keeping the Irish tradition alive one step at a time. Spraoi agus Rince School of Irish Dance has been in the community for years. 

On Thursday, Students from the Spraoi agus Rince School Of Irish Dance will perform several Irish dances for St. Patrick’s Day at the German Township Branch Library starting at 6 p.m. 

 The video is from Spraoi agus Rince School Of Irish Dance last show back in March of 2019 before the pandemic hit. They were dancing with the South Bend symphony. And as COVID-19 restrictions slowly get lifted, dancers are ready to be back on stage. 

 Spraoi agus Rince translates to fun and dance. The school was started in 2009 by Cathlin Coughlan. She was certified to teach Irish dance by the Irish Dance Commission in Ireland. Coughlan opened up the school, which is one of the only Irish dancing school's in South Bend. 

She tells me, as an instructor, the most rewarding feeling is seeing her students dance.

“Once the dancer clicks, that you can see it in their brain. That they figured out what they’re supposed to do and all of a sudden they’re dancing, and they love it,” Coughlan said.

The performance will take place at the German Township Branch Library at 6 p.m. on March, 17. 

If you want to learn traditional Irish dance, classes are held on Mondays at the Marine Corps League. For more information visit the Spraoi agus Rince School Of Irish Dance website here or on Facebook.