Tradition. Passion. Dedication.
 
Welcome to Scoil Rince Luimni, also known as SRL Irish Dance Academy! We’re a small, independently-owned Irish dance studio located in South Windsor, Connecticut and we’re so happy you’re here. A little about us:
 
SRL was founded in 2014 by Courtney Jay, TCRG after she finished her BA in Irish Music and Dance at the University of Limerick. (In fact, that’s why we’re SRL—in Irish Gaelic Scoil (scull) is school, Rince (ring-ka) is dance, and Luimni (lim-nee) is Limerick!) Miss Courtney, as the dancers call her, has been an Irish dancer her whole life and has been teaching and mentoring younger dancers since she was 13. During her time in Limerick, Courtney trained at the Fleming-Ball School of Irish Dance, where she danced her way to 2 solo world medals, regional titles in solo and team championships, and top 10 at every international major competition. Before leaving Ireland, Courtney was certified by the CLRG (the largest and oldest governing body of Irish dance in the world) and then came home to Connecticut to create SRL!

​8 years later and SRL is a tight-knit community that instructs in the storied tradition of Irish dance for those as young as 2-years-old (check out Tiny Jig to learn more!) into adulthood (check out SRL After Dark to learn more!) We take this highly athletic and artistic sport and apply our modern, paced approach to training that helps our dancers find their own, personal goals—whether that be recreation, casual performances, or the competitive track. In this supportive environment, we focus on the whole dancer: technique and whole-body conditioning to be sure, but also the promotion of healthy life skills (such as setting and achieving goals, teamwork, focus, and dedication.) In line with that, SRL offers mentoring opportunities at every turn—from class helpers to buddies at dancers’ first competitions and performances—and cultivates a spirit of support and community that’s really what Irish dance is all about!
 
Our small, but passionate staff is ready to help guide and encourage your dancer—whether they be just starting out or qualifying for Worlds—through structured lessons that optimize their opportunities to grow both as dancers and as people. While Irish dance has a long tradition (read more about its origins here!) and strong ties to Ireland’s national identity, you don’t need to be Irish to do Irish dance. As the Irish diaspora has spread across the world, Irish dance has become more than a traditional art form (though it retains those roots and music)—it’s a global community. All you need to join in is passion, dedication, and someone to teach you—and we’d love to help out!

SRL is registered with the CLRG, the Irish Dance Teachers of North America, and the New England Irish Dance Teachers. Classes run on a school year schedule from September to June--sign up now for a trial class to lock in your preferred class time, or take a look at our 4-week taster sessions to really get a feel for it before signing up for the year! Please feel free to reach out to our Office Manager at [email protected] with any questions. They’re happy to help!
 
This post is part of a series. Take a look at our last 411 post, all dancer testimonials, here. Also: check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.
​

Amazing Women in Irish History, Part 4
 
Missed the first parts? Check them out: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3!
 
Here we are, at part 4 of 4 of our series all about the incredible women in Irish history (and into modern day!) However, this is hardly the end of the list in real life. If you or your dancer are interested in learning more about the amazing, groundbreaking women Ireland has produced, check out one of these lists of books that all explore the topic. But for now, drumroll please, as we bring you our last 4 revolutionary women:
 
Countess Constance Markievicz: Ireland’s First Female MP and Revolutionary
1868-1927
 
“But while Ireland is not free I remain a rebel, unconverted and unconvertible.”
 
While technically born in England, Markievicz’s family has Irish ancestry and always owned land in County Sligo—and it was Ireland where she eventually made her home. Never comfortable in the society life she was born into, she escaped to Paris to become an artist and met her husband, the Polish Count. Together, they settled in Dublin where Markievicz founded (along with future Irish President, Douglas Hyde) the United Arts Club, the goal of which was to preserve Irish culture and lift up modern Irish writers and artists. Her aims soon turned political—by 1908 she was a known proponent for Women’s Rights and during the 1913 Lockout she sold her jewels to help feed protestors. All this revolutionary action led to her being at the forefront of the 1916 Rising—and a death sentence (she was granted mercy due to her gender, the notion of which she found ridiculous.) When released, she used her second chance at life to continue to support Irish Independence by becoming the first female MP in Ireland’s first government, and later serving as the Minister of Finance (making her one of the first women in the world to hold a cabinet position—and the only women in Ireland until 1979.) By the time of her death at the age of 59, she was penniless (despite having just won reelection,)—having given all her wealth to the poor of the country she fought for until her last breath.

​Sinéad Burke: Writer, Designer, and Disability Activist
1990-present
 
“Disability is articulated as a struggle, an unnecessary burden that one must overcome to the soundtrack of a string crescendo. But disabled lives are multi-faceted—brimming with personality, pride, ambition, love, empathy, and wit.”
 
With Sinéad Burke we’ve officially come to the youngest woman on this list, but her relatively young age hasn’t stopped her from making her mark. Born with achondroplasia (a genetic condition that affects bone growth) in Dublin, Burke started using her voice for good at just 16-years-old, when she created a blog that discussed exclusivity in the fashion industry. At 3 feet, 5 inches tall, Burke works tirelessly to open the conversation in the design community (in clothing and beyond) to better include people of all sizes and those with disabilities. Her work hasn’t gone unnoticed—Burke visited the White House at President Obama’s invitation, won the 2012 Alternative Miss Ireland, has given a TED talk, was the first person of her stature to attend the MET Gala in 2019, and has been featured in British Vogue—among numerous other honors. Additionally, Burke serves as an Ambassador for the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and the Irish Girl Guides, as well as Council of State for the Irish President. Her first book, Break the Mould (a best-selling children’s book that teaches lessons about celebrating peoples’ differences,) was released in 2020, and her hit podcast (As Me with Sinéad) has been running since 2019 (with an impressive list of celebrity guests,) discussing each guest’s life to challenge biases.

​Dr. Dorothy Price: Physician and Vaccination Advocate
1890-1954
 
“[I]n the last few years the political and professional position of women in the world has changed.”
 
Dr. Dorothy Price lived an extraordinary life—after being born in Dublin she lived through both World Wars, the Spanish Influenza pandemic, the 1916 Rising from the British side, and the formation of a new Irish state from the Irish side. And she was extraordinary as well—after beginning work in charitable social services and art, she pivoted to medicine at the age of 25 after reflecting on the death of her brother as a child from typhoid fever. Price then became instrumental wherever she went in the care for the sick through multiple waves of illness and the injured through multiple kinds of conflict. But Dr. Price’s most lasting mark came in the form of her vaccination advocacy. When she began her work at St. Ultan’s Hospital in Dublin in 1923, she was able to travel throughout Europe to research medical innovations to bring back to Ireland, including the tuberculin test to diagnose tuberculosis and the BCG vaccine to prevent it. Dr. Price threw herself into learning everything she could about tuberculosis and implementing these preventive measures throughout Ireland despite stiff political opposition—which saved at least tens of thousands of children from death (or at the very least, debilitating illness) and is now credited with ending the mid-20th century Irish tuberculosis epidemic, which had largely affected the young.

Dr. Norah Patten: NASA Scientist and Future Astronaut
1987-present
 
“I got a letter from a little girl recently and it meant so much to me. It included a picture of her in a rocket with me and the caption, 'Here's me and Norah going to space.' That's more than I could have ever asked for."
 
Though one Irish man has technically been to space…it was on a private expedition that cost him upwards of $100,000, so we’re not counting it. In contrast, Dr. Norah Patten, a County Mayo born aeronautical engineer, STEM advocate, and NASA scientist, is currently on track to become the first Irish woman to go to space. Dr. Patten has been fascinated by space ever since she was a little girl and followed her dreams from the time she was 11-years-old: from school projects to begging to visit NASA multiple times, all the way to pursuing her degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Aerodynamics (concurrent with a work study job at Boeing.) Once she graduated with her PhD, Dr. Patten continued her work in the field that led to her being one of only 12 people in the world chosen for the Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere project, where she’s done all the preparatory work to become a full-fledged astronaut. Outside of training to literally leave earth, Dr. Patten is big on community outreach and science communication, including her first children’s book Shooting for the Stars (all about her journey, the science of space, and encouraging other young women to pursue their passions.)
 
All rebels in their own way, these women of Ireland represent the resilient and revolutionary spirit we’re so proud to cultivate in our own SRL dancers. We hope Irish dance, much like these amazing Irish women, encourages our dancers to work hard, dream big, and never give up on themselves. From world champ or astronaut to politician or artist—SRL dancers can do anything they aspire to!
 
This post is part of a series. Read our last Irish history post, all about other amazing women in Irish history, here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

Part 2
 
Interested in trying out Irish dance, but aren’t entirely sure? We could talk all day long about the benefits Irish dance has, physically, mentally, and socially (and we have—check out past 411 posts to learn more!) but why don’t we let some of our dancers tell you a little more about why they love Irish dance here at SRL! We hope you’ll join us!
 
Looking for: far-reaching life skills?
 
“Irish Dance trained me to have a very high stamina, physically and mentally. Courtney was the best at pushing her dancers towards their goals. I know how to work towards long term goal without being worn out, and to push through to the very end.”—Lindsey
 
Looking for: competitive spirit?
 
“My favorite thing about dance is the competition. I like that in Irish dance you can show off how much you've learned and progressed.”—Magnus

​Looking for: enjoyment and self-expression?
 
“When there are no words to explain how you feel, you express yourself through dance. I remember there would be nights when…I was tired, but when I walked through those studio doors I knew it was my time to work. And when I walked out of those doors at the end of the night, I felt like a better person.”—Lindsey
 
Looking for: inspiration?
 
“I look up to Courtney because she has given me a second home and something that I truly love.”—Ellie
 
Looking for: friends?
 
“Dance has given me the ability to have friends all around the world that share the same love and passion for Irish dance that I do.”—Christian

Looking for: somewhere to learn and grow?
 
“Irish dance was a life changing experience that provided me with so many opportunities to learn and grow. It was a daily challenge, which inspires my work ethic today. I always aim high and dream big. Through Irish Dance, I learned by working hard and practicing my craft, I could achieve anything.”—Tara
 
Looking for: something to be passionate about?
 
Just take Tilly’s word for it: “I like Irish dance and you will too!”
 
If your dancer is looking for it, SRL has it! While classes run on a school year schedule from September to June, we have a special offer to let new dancers get a taste before they sign up in the fall! SRL’s Intro to Irish Dance Summer Camp sign-ups are now open for new dancers 2-12, at work-friendly drop off times for parents. Learn more about the program here, or feel free to reach out to our Office Manager at [email protected]. They’re happy to help!
 
This post is part of a series. Take a look at our last 411 post—tons of testimonials from parents!— here. Also: check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

Amazing Women in Irish History, Part 3
 
Check out part 1 here and part 2 here.
 
We’re not done yet with our list of amazing women in Irish history! Despite the fact that this could easily be a thousand-part series, we’re here today with part 3 of 4 with yet more incredible Irish females who didn’t let gender stand in the way of their dreams. Ready to be inspired? Here we go…
 
Agnes Mary Clerke: Historian and Astronomer
1842-1907
 
“The science of the nature of the heavenly bodies... is full of the audacities, the inconsistencies, the imperfections, the possibilities of youth... It promises everything; it has already performed much; it will doubtless perform much more.”
 
Agnes Mary Clerke was a born astronomer—from her childhood in Skibbereen, Ireland where she spent hours with her father looking at the stars and planets through his small telescope. At a precocious 15-years-old she began to write her own history of astronomy, but unfortunately the time she lived in prevented her from attending college. However, her brother, a student at Dublin University, took it upon himself to become Clerke’s personal tutor and she became accomplished in many subjects. She then lived for 10 years in Italy, continuing her informal, but rigorous education in everything from languages and classics to math and, always, astronomy. Clerke spent her life writing numerous books and articles about astronomy (including adding to the 9th edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica,) to the point where she’s often described as the first historian on the subject (not to mention her massive impact in the field of astrophysics.) The public loved her work for being both factually accurate and easy to read—so much so that she was the first member of the British Astronomical Association, an honorary member of the Royal Astronomical Society (as women couldn’t be full members at the time,) and even has a crater on the moon named after her!

​Mary Harriet “Mainie” Jellett: Modernist Painter
1897-1944  
 
“The art of a nation is one of the ultimate facts by which its spiritual health is judged and appraised by posterity."
 
A true pioneer of her time, Jellett is considered the woman who brought modern art to Ireland. Born in Dublin, Jellett began her instruction in art at the young age of 11. Her constant practice and considerable talent lead to her enrolling in the Metropolitan School of Art in Dublin, before spending two years at the Westminster Technical School in England where she studied under the impressionist Walter Sickert. After winning a number of student awards and scholarships, she moved to Paris to continue her artistic education and discovered cubism through working with André Lhote and abstract art through working with Albert Gleizes. In 1923, at only 26-years-old, Jellett returned to Ireland to shock the art scene by exhibiting the first abstract piece of art in Ireland at a Society of Dublin Painters show—which Irish critics unanimously panned. It only took 4 years for the tides to change and Jellett to become a lauded artist, proven by her inclusion in the Irish section of the art exhibition at the 1928 Olympic Games. In the war-torn climate of 1920s-40s Ireland, Jellett’s newly imagined religious subjects gave expression to the anguish and conflict her culture was entrapped in.

​Katie Taylor: Boxer
1986-present
 
“When you’re so consistent, people have to stand up and take notice. I don’t think people recognize or praise consistency enough.”
 
One of the youngest (but not quite—check back next week!) women on our list, Taylor has always been an athlete, competing in football and camogie throughout secondary school and university. Her love for boxing began at the age of 12, when she began training with her two brothers under their father’s coaching in Bray, leading to Taylor fighting in the first sanctioned female boxing match in Ireland in 2001. At only 15, this was the first in a long career of consistent wins. And the wins truly are numerous since she went professional in 2016--too many to list here—leading to her current status: #1 in Ireland, #1 the world, the undisputed lightweight champion. In 2019 she even became one of only 8 boxers in history (of any gender) to hold all 4 major world titles in boxing simultaneously (WCA, IBF, WBO, and WBC.) She still currently holds all of these titles. But Taylor isn’t so influential just because she’s a winner whose brought a long male-dominated sport into the limelight—she’s an advocate for hard work, giving back to your community, and breaking through any barrier that might stop women from achieving their goals. And at 36, she’s not done: she hopes to compete in the Olympics one day.

Lady Mary Heath: Athlete and Aviator
1896-1939
 
“Woman’s place is in the home, but failing that the airodrome.”
 
Born Sophie Catherine Theresa Mary Pierce-Evans in County Limerick, Lady Heath’s early life was struck by tragedy that led to her being brought up by two maiden aunts who discouraged her unladylike interest in academics and sport. Despite that, she went on to attend the Royal College of Science for Ireland before moving to Kenya with her first husband and publishing a book of poetry. After Kenya the pair moved to London, where she became a founding member of the Women’s Amateur Athletics Association, a javelin, high jump, and pentathlon champion, a delegate for the International Olympic Committee, and a judge in the 1928 Olympics—the first Olympic Games to include women. And this was all before she took the skies! Lady Heath was the first woman to hold a commercial flying license in Britain, the first woman to parachute from a plane, the first woman to gain a mechanic’s qualification in the U.S., as well as setting numerous flying-related altitude records (among other history-making records!) When her fame was at its height, she was one of the best-known women in the world, often called “Britain’s Lady Lindy” (after the famous aviator Charles Lindberg.) Unfortunately, her career ended in 1929 when she was in a terrible accident during the National Air Races in Ohio—she survived, but retired from public life.
 
 And that’s not all—check back in nest week for 4 more amazing Irish women!
 
This post is part of a series. Read our last Irish history post, all about other amazing women in Irish history, here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

​Part 2
 
Is your child interested in dance, but you’re not sure where to start? Why not Irish dance? We won’t try to convince you (check out some of our past 411 posts in case you want some more convincing—we do have a strong case,) but thought we’d let our amazing community of parents tell you why SRL is the right choice, instead!
 
Looking for: exercise with purpose?
 
“Physically it’s helped with coordination and strength. But it’s also helped with focus and determination. And it’s given them a fun way to get their wiggles out and make new friends.”—Evelyn
 
Looking for: cultural enrichment?
 
“I’m Irish, I’m involved in the Irish community, and I thought this might be another way to engage my daughters in an activity that would be great for them and also tied to their ancestry.”—Siobhan

Looking for: a confidence boost?
 
“Dance has built [my dancer’s] confidence and has opened her up to experiencing new things.”—Christina
 
Looking for: dance that teaches life skills?
 
“I think Irish dance has taught [my dancer] perseverance, grace under pressure, humility and the understanding that its ok to not be ok! Do your best work and enjoy the journey.”—Christine
 
 “I love the way the classes are structured to challenge the students just so much that also pushes them forward in their learning.”—Andrea
 
Looking for: a way to encourage goal-setting?
 
“[My dancer] is competitive and she wants to do well, but she’s a little girl who can be easily more interested in other things. Dancing with SRL and Miss Courtney has given her ways to practice at setting goals and working toward them. This was never more true than her second year when she was struggling with reading in first grade and simultaneously did poorly at a feis. Right after that, she set two goals—which she even wrote down—to get better at reading and to get better at Irish dance. By the end of that year, she had improved dramatically at both.”—Siobhan

Looking for: a unique, year- round activity?
 
“If your child loves to dance, they should try Irish dance. It’s different than any other style of dance…[My dancer] has been doing other types of dance for years, but Irish dance is beautiful and unique.”—Christina
 
Looking for: an outlet for male dancers?
 
“On an uncommon comparison, I often think it has similar qualities to karate with the discipline, athleticism, and focus. But, Irish dance has joy and musicality that takes it to another level; this is why I think it’s also very good for boys even though it may not be the first thing one thinks.”—Siobhan
 
Looking for: community and support?
 
“I’m amazed at the choreography [my dancer] memorizes. I was so proud that she quickly gained the confidence to participate in a public performance and also do her first feis. I enjoyed watching her teach a dance to some younger Girl Scouts at one of our meetings last year, and I love that she has volunteered to help out at SRL classes with younger children—it’s all been a great growing experience for her in many ways.”—Becca
 
“I wanted [my dancer] to get involved in something, but she did not want to try the traditional tap, jazz, ballet route. I got her to try a class at SRL the summer she was 4 years old and she fell in love with the dancing, the older kids, and of course Miss Courtney.”—Andrea
 
Looking for: options?
 
“Irish dance is great because it is completely up to you and your dancer as to how involved you want to be. Competition and performances are optional or you can choose to compete every weekend if you want. It’s a unique skill to have and fun to get to show it off!”—Jill L.
 
If you’re looking for it for your dancer, SRL has it! While classes run on a school year schedule from September to June, we have a special offer to let new dancers get a taste before they sign up in the fall! SRL’s Intro to Irish Dance Summer Camp sign-ups are now open for new dancers 2-12, at work-friendly drop off times for parents. Learn more about the program here, or feel free to reach out to our Office Manager at [email protected]. They’re happy to help!
 
This post is part of a series. Take a look at our last 411 post—tons of testimonials from dancers!— here. Also: check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

Amazing Women in Irish History, Part 2
 
Catch up with Part 1 here!
 
At SRL, we pride ourselves on helping shape our amazing dancers into incredible young women both in the studio and outside of it. Irish dance is a disciplined artistic sport that helps our dancers learn skills they’ll use their entire lives to succeed in whatever they put their mind to: goal setting, perseverance, and resiliency, to name a few. But it’s not just Irish dance that provides role models—Ireland itself is full of incredible women who broke barriers, went against the odds, and never gave up. Here’s a few more to inspire you:
 
 
Teresa Deevy: Dramatist, Nationalist, and Women’s Rights Activist
1894-1963
 
“I don’t think we can start fresh. I don’t think anyone can. Wont we bring ourselves with us?”
 
Often called “Ireland’s Chekhov,” Teresa Deevy spent her life not only adding to the cultural life of Ireland, but to social reform, as well. Deevy was raised in Waterford before going on attend University College Dublin—though she was forced to transfer to university in Cork at the age of 19 when the progression of Méniére’s Disease caused her to go deaf. While Deevy received treatment in Cork, there is still no known cure of the disease and the writer remained deaf for the rest of her life. She pivoted from her original goal of becoming a teacher to becoming a writer instead, all while being heavily involved in the Irish War of Independence, particularly in women’s groups. However, her most lasting contribution to the both the nationalist and feminist efforts came through her writing. Deevy’s plays (and eventually short stories and radio plays) were quietly subversive critiques of the limited options for women, even in supposedly modern society. She was highly critical of the way the Irish Catholic state repressed women, and continuously censored literary works—always making the political into the personal to help the audience connect. While her subversive views lead to her being largely unknown for a time after her death, interest had been revived and her genius has been celebrated in recent decades.

​Margaret O’Carroll: Queen and Patron of the Arts, Roads, and Bridges
?-1451
 
"[T]he best woman of the [Gaels] and the one who made the most causeways, churches, books, chalices and all articles useful for the service of a church…”
 
Definitely the most historical figure on this list, Margaret O’Carroll lived so long ago that her birth date has been lost in time. What hasn’t been lost is what she devoted her life to: the betterment of Irish society on a number of fronts. Nicknamed “Mairgréag an Einigh” aka “Margaret the Hospitable” as our first records of her speak of the incredible banquets she hosted, including two in particular in 1433 with over 2,700 people in attendance—reportedly including orphans she was fostering. She also used her elaborate social events to lift up bardic artists, becoming a patron to many herself. Despite being an extremely wealthy queen (as she was the daughter of a queen and as she married the chief of the chief of the Offaly region of Ireland,) O’Carroll humbled herself to complete a traditional pilgrimage during which she commissioned a number of roads, bridges, and other public works projects to improve the lives of the people she passed. On top of all this, she was also a budding ambassador—she successfully negotiated (on her own accord, her husband knowing nothing of her plans,) the exchange of Irish prisoners from British forces in 1445.

​Kathleen “Kay” McNulty Mauchly Antonelli: Computer Programmer
1921-2006
 
“Irish immigrants could be just as good, if not better, than anybody.”
 
Born in the midst of the Irish War for Independence, Kay McNulty was a rebel from the start—her father was arrested the night of her birth for his role in the IRA. When McNulty was 2 and her father was released from prison, her entire family immigrated to Pennsylvania. Despite only being able to speak, read, and understand Irish when she arrived, she immediately excelled in school, particularly math—leading a scholarship to attend Chestnut Hill College, where she graduated (with a degree in Math) in 1942. WWII was raging all over the globe, and McNulty immediately contributed her smarts to the war effort—initially in a role known only but the moniker “Computer” where she predicted ballistic trajectories. It wasn’t long before her incredible intelligence distinguished her and she was moved on to a new, top-secret project with five other females “Computers”: programming the ENIAC, aka one of the world’s first electronic computers. McNulty and her cohort, all women, are considered some of the world’s first computer programmers, though they didn’t received almost any recognition for their contributions until 1997 when they were inducted into the Women in Technology Hall of Fame. McNulty continued to program most of her life, all while raising 7 children, though most of her work was under her first husband’s name.

Mary Robinson: Ireland’s First Female President
1944-present
 
“I was elected by the women of Ireland, who instead of rocking the cradle, rocked the system.”
 
On December 3rd, 1990, Mary Robinson was inaugurated as the 7th president of Ireland, making her the first female president in the country. Before her turn to politics, Robinson received her law degree from Harvard and became a distinguished law professor, as well as a practicing human rights and constitutional lawyer. When elected, she expanded the role of the Irish president further than any of her predecessors, committed to reforming Ireland into a modern country. Robinson did more for the rights of women and other oppressed classes than any Irish president before or since, including decriminalizing homosexuality and contraception, legalizing divorce, and enabling female citizens to sit on juries—leading to her becoming (and remaining) the most popular president Ireland has ever had, with a 93% approval rating. After serving 7 years as president, Robinson stepped down to concentrate on human rights all over the world by serving as the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights. She is still alive today and continues to concentrate on good works--as of 2019 she is the Adjunct Professor for Climate Justice at Ireland premiere university: Trinity College Dublin.
 
But we’re not done yet—there’s just too many incredible Irish women to cover! Check back next Monday for a few more role models to add to your list.
 
This post is part of a series. Read our last Irish history post, all about other amazing women in Irish history, here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.