instructorbiographies

Claire McCole (Donegal) - A.D.C.R.G.

Claire began dancing at the age of four, with the Bonner-Cannon SD in Donegal. She competed at Ulster, All-Irelands, and World Championships, ranking in the top 5 at all these events.

Claire became a member of Riverdance-The Flying Squad from the age of eighteen, performing initially at corporate events across the globe, while studying primary school teaching in St Patrick’s College, Dublin. During this period, Claire also performed with the O Shea Irish Dance Company for three consecutive years in Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. In 2005, Claire took up a full-time position with Riverdance-The Show, and spent a further three years touring America, Mexico, Canada, and Europe with the show.

In 2009, Claire founded the McCole School of Irish Dance with her brother Mark in Galway. Over the course of the last ten years, Claire is very proud of how the school has grown, with the school having achieved Connacht and North American titles with their pupils, while also having many children compete at World Championship level in both solo and ceili dancing. Claire began adjudicating in December 2014, and was honoured to judge her first World Championship in Greensboro, 2019.

Claire is also a primary school teacher in Galway, married to Terence Moran and mother to two beautiful children, Cillian and Anna.

Mark McCole (Donegal) - A.D.C.R.G.

Mark began dancing with the Bonner-Cannon School of Dancing from the age of 4. Mark has won many Ulster titles and has gained many All-Ireland, Great Britain and World Championship awards throughout his competitive career.

His show career started in Irish Thunder – the show in 2005. Following that, he was asked to join Riverdance in late 2005. To date, Mark has performed in the U.S.A., China, Africa, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Dubai, Switzerland, Portugal, the U.K. and Ireland.

In January 2007, Mark set up Mystic Force – the show. In August 2008, Mark was selected as one of 12 finalists in the Impact Media Elevate Awards 2008 for the business Mystic Force, and went on to finish in the top three.

Since then Mark has successfully launched Fitness Fusion – Adult Irish Dance Class in Galway, Athlone and Castlebar.

In 2009, Mark and his sister Claire launched the McCole School of Irish Dance in Galway city and county. The school has had considerable success including World Medals, Connacht Championship titles, North American Championship titles and multiple podium placements in the Irish National Championships.

In 2018, Mark successfully passed his Irish dance adjudicators exam and to date has been invited to judge competitions across Ireland, the UK, New Zealand, Australia and the USA.

Aisling Hillick (Derry) - A.D.C.R.G.

Aisling started dancing in Derry for the late Mary Soal and continued dancing with Mary’s niece, Julie Evans from 8 years of age until she began university aged 18. She competed successfully in both solo and team competitions at Ulster, All Ireland, Great Britain, All Scotland, North American and World Championships.

Aisling achieved her T.C.R.G shortly after graduating as a doctor from Queens University of Belfast in 2003. She taught solo and team dancing with the world renowned and highly successful Doherty School (now Doherty Petri) in Belfast for a number of years. Aisling achieved her A.D.C.R.G in 2010. Since then Aisling has had the opportunity to adjudicate feisanna throughout Ireland, England and Scotland and has had the honour to adjudicate several primary and secondary qualifying events such as, the Great Britain and All Scotland Championships. More recently Aisling had the honour of adjudicating the World Irish dancing Championships - Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne in Greensboro, USA.

Aisling moved to Galway in 2007 and began teaching with the Mc Cole School in 2013. She works as a General Practitioner in Galway City. She is married to Rick and a proud mum to gorgeous twins, Cadhla & Art. She loves Galway and is very fortunate to be involved in both her passions, Irish dance and medicine.

Katie Dowling (Toronto | Canada) - T.C.R.G.

Katie was born and raised in Toronto, Canada where she began dancing for the Butler-Fearon O’Connor (BFOC) school of Irish dance at the age of 7. During her competitive years, Katie was the Eastern Canadian Champion, top five in the North American Championships and has competed and been awarded several medals at the All-Ireland Championships, All-Scotland Championships, British Nationals and the World Championships.

Katie moved to Galway in 2012 to complete a Master’s degree at the National University of Ireland Galway and fell in love with the city. She is currently continuing her studies in Galway where she is completing her Doctorate degree in Health Science with a focus on promoting the mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents.

Katie has been teaching for the dance school since 2016 and was awarded her T.C.R.G in 2018.