Our accredited teaching staff
Vicki Lynagh
Founder A.D.C.R.G.
Brighid Mackness (Cox)
Director A.D.C.R.G.
Kate Smith
Teacher T.C.R.G.
Liz Geraghty
Teacher T.C.R.G.
Bridget Fox
Teacher T.C.R.G.Vicki Lynagh
a lifelong love of doing dance it’s a passion
Vicki commenced her involvement in Irish Dancing at the Queensland Irish Association in Brisbane when she was ten years of age. In an era when Irish Dancing was mostly unknown in Queensland, with no qualified or experienced teachers, Vicki relished the opportunity to learn to dance. It was from these early days that Vicki’s love of Irish dancing developed and her desire to teach grew. As a Dancer she competed in Irish Dancing Competitions, performed in many Dance Exhibitions and willingly offered to become involved in helping to teach the younger dancers at class. She was the first Irish Dancer from Queensland to be placed at an Australian Championship (the “Nationals”) in the early 70’s. She went on to become the Teacher of the QIA (Queensland Irish Association) Class of 60 Pupils in 1972 and soon after in 1973 sat and qualified as a TCRG – the first Queenslander to become a Qualified Teacher.THE START OF SOMETHING SPECIAL
In 1978, Vicki commenced her own Dancing School – The Lynagh Studio of Irish Dancing. Over the years she has taught Irish Dancing to a generation of children and continues to be actively involved in teaching the current pupils of the studio today. For the last 40 years she has held regular classes in the Wishart /Mt. Gravatt areas of Brisbane and has trained dancers for Feis competitions and Show Dancing, some of whom have gone on to become State and Australian Champions as well as also becoming qualified Teachers themselves.I’ve been teaching and judging Irish Dancing for many years now and it’s still a joy to have the opportunity to start the little ones off and watch their keen interest grow into a love of dancing and apply themselves to becoming true champions!
Vicki progressed to qualify as an ADCRG (Adjudicator) in 1981. As an Irish Dancing Adjudicator she travels all over Australia and to New Zealand to judge all levels of competition from local Feisanna through to State Championships. She has also had the honour of judging at the World Championships in Ireland. Vicki is a current Registered Teacher and Adjudicator of An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha, Dublin (the Irish Dancing Commission), a Member of Australian Irish Dancing Association, Qld Branch and a Life Member of Australian Irish Dancing Association Inc. Vicki was honoured by the Irish Dancing Commission at the 2009 World Irish Dancing Championships in Philadelphia, USA by receiving a Gradam Award for her lifetime work, and in appreciation of, her contribution to Irish Dancing in Queensland and Australia.Brighid Mackness
Irish dancing life is a part of who I am
Brighid started her Irish dancing at the extraordinary early age of three and since then she hasn’t looked back. Having been heavily involved in Irish dancing for over 24 years Brighid has unequivocally achieved most of what all Irish dancers hope to achieve during their dancing years. Brighid has competed in numerous competitions throughout Qld & interstate, Australia, confirmed by her wide-spread friendships & network in the Irish dancing community. Brighid has devoted thousands of hours performing & assisting with displays and has been heavily involved in The Lynagh Studio of Irish Dancing for many years. She first started helping fellow Irish dancing students at the age of 12. Brighid started her Irish dancing at the extraordinary early age of three and since then she hasn’t looked back. Having been heavily involved in Irish dancing for over 24 years Brighid has unequivocally achieved most of what all Irish dancers hope to achieve during their dancing years. Brighid has competed in numerous competitions throughout Qld & interstate, Australia, confirmed by her wide-spread friendships & network in the Irish dancing community. Brighid has devoted thousands of hours performing & assisting with displays and has been heavily involved in The Lynagh Studio of Irish Dancing for many years. She first started helping fellow Irish dancing students at the age of 12. We have so much fun every week, learning new steps, getting fit and catching up with friends. I get just as excited as our dancers when we go to a feis (competition), and it’s celebrations all round when our dancers achieve their best!ACHIEVEMENTS & HIGHLIGHTS
- Competed in 17 State and National Championships
- Won 10 QLD State Championships
- Australian Champion in 2005
- Australian championships runner up 2006 and 2008
- Finals in The Australian Championships 17 times and placed in the top 10 in Australia 9 times
- Competed in the World Irish Dancing Championships 4 times 2006-2009 & made final (recalled) every year –one of the only Queensland Irish dancers to have done so.
- Won “The Flora Lynagh” (best and fairest) award for her age group and the overall gold medal numerous times.
Kate Smith
lifelong friendships have been made
Kate Smith began her dancing career at the age of four learning jazz, tap and classical ballet, but after watching an Irish dancing display at her primary school in grade one she decided that was the dancing style for her. Soon after she hung up her jiffies and joined the Lynagh Studio of Irish Dancing. Kate danced competitively with the Lynagh Studio for 19 years under the guidance of Vicki Lynagh and has competed in local, state and national competitions. She has also danced in displays and at festivals across Brisbane. Music is one of the most enjoyable things we can experience. Dancing is one of the most enjoyable things we can do. Teaching others about these joys is the most rewarding things there is.TEACHING ADULT CLASSES
Over the years, Kate has developed life-long friendships in the dancing community and strongly values the social opportunities the Irish dancing world has offered her, including teaching adult classes with the Lynagh Studio. She has a particular interest in team and ceili dancing, which she believes are fun and exciting ways to preserve traditional Irish cultures, music and dance. During her years of competition Kate found she enjoyed helping and teaching other students. In 2010 Kate sat for her TCRG and passed to become a qualified Irish dancing teacher.Liz Geraghty
Irish dancing has given me the best experiences
At age 5 Liz begged her mother to let her start Irish Dancing after falling head-over-heels in love with the art-form during a performance at Expo’ 88. Her mother dutifully agreed and Liz has been a dedicated and passionate member of the Lynagh Studio of Irish Dance ever since! For over 22 years as a competitive dancer, Liz experienced many of the delights and challenges that come with the craft; making her an empathetic, enthusiastic and approachable member of the Lynagh Irish Dancing community. Liz retired from competitive dancing in October 2007 after gaining a wealth of experience competing for many years at regional, state and national level. In May 2012 Liz completed her TCRG qualifications under An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG) – The Irish Dancing Commission to become a registered Irish Dancing teacher. Liz is passionate about representing Irish Dance as a traditional and cultural art form and is honoured to pass its many joys and benefits to dance pupils both now and well into the future. Believing firmly that Irish Dancing is a key ingredient in keeping an active mind and healthy body, she loves nothing more than being captured and entranced by the rhythmical motions of performance.ACHIEVEMENTS & HIGHLIGHTS
In 2019 Liz opened the Mackay branch of Lynagh Irish Dancing. With the backing of over 50 years Irish Dancing experience in Queensland and as a registered dance school with the Worlds’ largest Irish Dancing association, Lynagh Irish Dancing offers classes for children ages 3yrs and up in both social and competitive dancing. Dancers of the Lynagh Studio are given opportunities to compete all over Australia and the World and participate in CLRG Grade Examinations, registered in Dublin, Ireland. Liz has her Masters in Teaching (the early years) and is passionate about early childhood education.Bridget Fox
one of the best sports
for fun & fitness
Bridget has loved Irish Dancing from a young age, beginning dance classes at the age of six. She had a successful competitive career, competing regularly in solo and ceili (team) events at local, state, and national feisanna, regularly achieving high results. Her greatest dance accomplishments include qualifying to compete at the World Championships several years in a row, and ultimately travelling to compete at the World Championships held in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2016.
TEACHING IS REWARDING
Under the guidance of Vicki Lynagh and Brighid Mackness, Bridget completed all twelve Irish dancing examinations through Choimisiuin le Rinci Gaelacha (the Irish Dancing Commision). Bridget retired from competitive Irish Dancing in 2017 and was awarded her TCRG in 2018.
Bridget is enthusiastic about sharing her love and passion for this historical, exciting, and beautiful dance form; always striving to ensure her students develop a strong technique, sense of rhythm and love for the energy and passion of Irish Dancing.
All of our teachers are registered Blue Card Holders under Queensland’s Blue Card System, to give you the
confidence we are a safe and supportive environment for children and young people when receiving our
services and participating in activities which are essential to their
development and well being, such as our Irish dancing sport, and
cultural activities.
Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000