Toal School of Irish Dance

The Toal School of Irish Dance is an Edmonton based Irish Dance School operating in South Edmonton. Our class is conveniently located seconds away from South Edmonton Common with quick access to Anthony Henday Drive and Gateway Boulevard.

The Toal School of Irish Dance, formerly Scoil Rince Clannad, was established in 2000 by Michael Toal TCRG/ADCRG.

Scoil Rince Clannad stands for "Family Dance School" as we consider all of our dancers to be part of the family. We continue to uphold this value though our name has changed.

Making long-lasting friendships, building self-esteem and integrity is our focus.

Our dancers participate in many competitions throughout the year and enjoy performing at festivals or other special events.

We love the art of Irish Dance and we are proud to promote our culture within the communities of Edmonton and Area.

Our passion is to share Irish Dance with anyone and everyone who wishes to try it.

If you live in or around Edmonton and wish to learn the basics of Irish Dance or Irish Dance competitively, join The Toal School of Irish Dance, our dance family.

We look forward to dancing with you!

History of Our Dance School

Michael Toal has been teaching Irish Dancing for over 30 years. He has been adjudicating for over 25 years and has judged at the World Irish Dance Championships many times throughout his adjudicating career. Michael established the Toal School of Irish Dance, formerly, Scoil Rince Clannad, in 2000 after moving back to Edmonton from Belfast, N.Ireland in 1999.

The Toal School Irish dancers continue to succeed. Our adult dancers placed 1st at the North American Irish Dance Championships in Nashville 2009. Our dancers love to perform and they dance out regularly on St. Patrick's Day and also do private functions. They loved dancing with Irish Dancing legend Colin Dunne in Edmonton at the Jubilee Auditorium. Toal School Irish dancers also enjoyed performing every week at O'Byrne's Irish Pub in Edmonton from 2001 to 2009.

Our Scoil Rince Clannad Ceili Club dancers are the 2011 All-Ireland Irish Dance Ceili Club Champions!!!!!

Our Teachers

Michael Toal T.C.R.G./A.D.C.R.G.

Michael Toal has been teaching Irish Dance for 30 years and has been adjudicating for over 25 years. He started teaching Irish Dance in Edmonton after immigrating to Canada in 1981 with his wife Isobel and son Mike. Michael was the only Irish Dance Teacher registered with An Comisiun le Rinci Gaelacha in Western Canada at this time. Michael's Irish Dance school was named Cross-Keys and this school was given to his friend when Michael decided to move back to Belfast with his family in 1996. Michael has assisted many currently registered Irish Dance teachers in successfully passing their T.C.R.G exam. He has also been awarded multiple appreciation awards for his contribution to the promotion of Irish culture in Edmonton. Michael's own dance career involved three 1st place World Irish Dance Championships medals along with many medals at the All-Ireland Championships and Ulster Championships. His teams have won the North American Irish Dance Championships more than once and he continues to focus on Ceili Dancing which is his passion. Michael's Scoil Rince Clannad Ceili Club recently won the All-Ireland Championships in Killarney. When Michael is not teaching Irish Dance, he is travelling throughout North America adjudicating Irish Dance competitions. Michael has adjudicated many local and national feisanna, the North American Irish Dance Championships and the World Irish Dance Championships. Michael is registered with An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha as a T.C.R.G./A.D.C.R.G.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHAEL ON TEACHING IRISH DANCE FOR 30 YEARS THIS YEAR!

Tara Toal-Dorman T.C.R.G.

Tara has been Irish Dancing since the age of 5 and was taught by her father, Michael until the age of 12 when she began to dance for Gloria Brady. Tara had been placed top 3 at each Western Canadian Oireachtas and attended the World Irish Dancing Championships twice before the age of 13. Tara consistently recalled at Nationals and has been placed 4th, 8th and 16th out of 160 competitiors. She has competed at a World and National level since 1994. Tara has been teaching with her father, Michael since 2000, but has taught her own class since 2003. She decided to write the TCRG Exam in January 2011 in which she was successful. Tara lives with her husband and son in South Edmonton. When Tara is not teaching she is working as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse or spending time with her family. Tara loves teaching and nothing gives her more pride than watching her students succeed. Tara is registered with An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha as a T.C.R.G.