Accreditation recognises three decades of excellence at Mayo school of Irish dancing

THE Moffatt School of Irish Dancing has been named Business All-Star Mayo All-Ireland Champion Irish Dance Academy 2026 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation (AIBF), recognising more than three decades of excellence in Irish dance education, talent development and the promotion of Irish culture.

Founded in 1990 by Sheila Moffatt, the Crossmolina-based school has grown from its beginnings in north Mayo into one of the country’s prominent Irish dancing schools. Today, it provides classes for dancers of all ages across County Mayo, nurturing students from beginner level through to world champion standard.

The school’s recent achievements underline the strength of its competitive programme.

At the 2026 World Championships in Dublin, Moffatt School brought 22 solo dancers and 45 team dancers to the competition, securing 19 solo placings, including nine top 10 finishes, while three of its teams were crowned World champions in their respective championships.

That competitive success sits alongside a broader philosophy centred on developing confident, happy and well-rounded young people. The school encourages dancers to progress at their own pace in a supportive environment, with opportunities to participate in concerts, festivals and cultural events alongside competitive Irish dancing.

The All-Ireland Champion designation marks the school’s second Business All-Star recognition, acknowledging its sustained achievements and the impact it has made both within its local community and across the wider Irish dance world.

Sheila Moffatt, director of Moffatt School of Irish Dancing, said: “The team at Moffatt School of Irish Dancing is delighted to receive our second Business All-Star Accreditation from the All-Ireland Business Foundation. Receiving this recognition for a second time means a great deal to us. It reflects the standards we work hard to maintain and, importantly, gives our students, parents and customers added confidence and trust in the experience we provide.

“At the heart of our school is a love of Irish dance and culture. We are proud to create an environment where every student can develop that love, whether they choose a competitive or non-competitive path.

“This accreditation also recognises the high standard of performance we bring to the events we are involved in. We are excited to continue developing this side of Moffatt School of Irish Dancing and creating new opportunities for our dancers.

“We are incredibly proud of our team and students, and look forward to building on this recognition in the years ahead.”

Kieran Ring, deputy chair of the AIBF Adjudication Board, said: “Moffatt School of Irish Dancing is an outstanding example of how tradition, education and ambition can come together to create something truly special. Sheila Moffatt has built a school that develops exceptional dancers while also giving young people confidence, belonging and a lasting connection to Irish culture.

“The school’s recent World Championship achievements demonstrate the quality of its training, while its wider contribution to Irish dance and the community makes this All-Ireland Champion recognition thoroughly deserved.”

Kapil Khanna, co-CEO of the All-Ireland Business Foundation, said: “Moffatt School of Irish Dancing has demonstrated excellence at every level, from its approach to teaching and talent development to its remarkable achievements on the world stage. Its ability to combine competitive success with a genuine commitment to Irish culture, community and the personal development of its dancers is what sets it apart. We are delighted to recognise Sheila and the entire Moffatt School community as a Mayo All-Ireland Champion.”

He added: “We evaluate a company’s background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.”