Over 60 Years of Irish Dance

The Dennehy School of Irish Dance has been in existence for over 60 years. It was first started by Dennis Dennehy (TCRG; ADCRG) and Marge Dennehy (TCRG; ADCRG). Many of the Irish dancing teachers in the Chicagoland area were pupils of Dennis and Marge. Their most famous pupil, Michael Flatley, was the 1975 Senior Boys Under-17 World Champion and went on to star in “Riverdance,” “Lord of the Dance” and “Celtic Tiger.”  In 2005, Dennis and Marge were inducted into the North American Feis Committee Hall of Fame.

Kathy Dennehy, TCRG (1984), ADCRG (1995)

The school is now under the direction of Dennis and Marge's daughter Kathy Dennehy (TCRG; ADCRG). Kathy was a championship dancer herself and began teaching at the school when she was in her late teens. She enjoyed incredible success as an Irish dancer, and is now a world-renowned dance teacher andrespected judge for Irish dance competitions. travels all over the world to share her knowledge of Irish dance as a judge.

Kathie Horan, TCRG (1995)

A former championship student of the Dennehy's, Kathie Moloney-Horan (TCRG), teaches at the school as well. Kathie began dancing at the age of seven with the Dennehy School of Irish Dance. She began teaching with them, under the instruction of Dennis Dennehy, when she was sixteen years old. Kathie competed at the regional, national, & world championship level, travelling throughout the United States and Ireland. 

  

Recently retired championship dancers of Marge, Dennis, Kathy and Kathie's have also joined the ranks of Dennehy teachers by passing their TCRG exams and becoming Commission Certified Irish Dance Teachers: Kathleen Mesterharm (retired from competition 2007; received TCRG 2007), Maggie Putman (retired from competition 2007; received TCRG 2010), Clare Nix (retired from competition 2009; received TCRG 2010) and Alyssa Harling (retired from competition; received TCRG 2011).

Dennis Dennehy, Co-founder

January 2013
 

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Dennis Dennehy. He and Marge Dennehy founded the Dennehy School of Irish Dance more than 60 years ago. Dennis has been instrumental in the Irish Dance community not only in Chicago, but in the Midwest Region, across North America and in Ireland. He has touched the lives of so many dancers over the years. He will be missed by all.

Marge Dennehy, Co-founder

March 2017
 

It is with a sad and heavy heart that we announce the passing of Marge Dennehy. She and her  husband Dennis founded the Dennehy School of Irish Dance more than 60 years ago. She was an amazing choreographer and touched the lives of so many irish dancers over the years. She will be missed by all.

 

Dennehy, Margaret "Margie" Dennehy (nee Bartishell), age 80. Co-founder of Dennehy Irish Dance. Beloved wife of the late Dennis G. Dennehy; loving mother of Kathleen Dennehy and Dennis Dennehy; proud Nana of Conor Dennehy Evans; cherished sister of George (Michelle) Bartishell, the late William "Bill" Bartishell and the late Elizabeth "Betty" Harling.