About Us

The History Of Royal Tara Dance Academy

The Academy

The Royal Tara Dance Academy was founded by

Mrs. June McCalmont (nee June Betts) over 50 years ago

and is something of a family enterprise.

June, a champion dancer, was taught by Mrs Vourneen O'Connor in Belfast and both of June's daughters, Ruth and Marti, have followed in her footsteps. Both have performed successfully as competitive dancers and are past Ulster and Northern Ireland champions. They are now teachers at the school as June has now retired from teaching.

The award winning Royal Tara Dance Academy is one of the province's well known cross community Irish dancing schools, participating in both competition and exhibition work.

The school is widely renowned for its innovative steps and artistic choreography

The Classes

The Royal Tara Dance Academy offers weekly traditional Irish dance classes for girls and boys from nursery age up to adult.

For our competitive dancers who enjoy dancing in competitions whether it be a Local Feis or the World Championships,

there is a suitable class for their level, as well as dancers who simply choose to enjoy Irish dancing as a recreational activity.

Every dancer is part of Team RTDA

Visit our Classes page for details

about the schools locations.

The Beginners of Today, are the Champions of Tomorrow and the Champions of Today are the Teachers of Tomorrow.

The Pupils

The talented pupils of the Royal Tara Dance Academy

perform at the highest levels of competitive dance with many pupils having achieved an impressive list of

individual and team awards including:

* All Ireland & World Championships (CRDM)

* Ulster Championships (CRDM & FDTA)

* International Championships (CRG)

* Northern Ireland Championships (Festival)

* World Championships (WIDA)

* European Championships (FIDTA & WIDA)

The June Betts and Royal Tara school have also passed on their expertise to a number of pupils who have went onto pursue professional careers in Irish dancing either as teachers or performers and also opened their own dance schools which makes us very humble and gives us a sense of pride.

Enjoy your visit to the Royal Tara website!

If you wish to enquire about classes or performances please contact us for further information:

Phone: Marti 07719 646 672

Ruth 07752 244 774

Gail 07775 574 146

Email: royaltaradancers@gmail.com