Patrick J. McGrath
- 2nd Generation Instructor
- Multiple Regional & National Champion
- North American Senior Men's Champion of 2003

Patrick began Irish dance at age four, taught by his mother Jeanne who founded one of the first ever DC area Irish Dance schools, the McGrath Academy of Irish Dance, in 1972. Patrick became a champion dancer by the age of eight and qualified for the World Competitions on his first attempt at the New England Oireachtas (a regional irish dance competition) and three more times through both Regional and National competitions by age twelve.

Patrick's instructors as a young dancer included the following accredited teachers who have produced literally hundreds of Regional, National and World Champion dancers:

Peter Smith - Peter Smith School - NJ;
President - An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha - Dublin, IRL.
Michael Smith - Smith-Houlihan Academy - Boston, MA.
Eimir Ni Mhaoileidigh - Irish Dance Center - Austin, TX.

In 2001 Patrick moved to Atlanta and began assisting his mother Jeanne with the McGrath Academy classes and co-directing the Annual Georgia State Feis in 2002, 2003, and 2004. He re-entered competition in 2003, winning the North American Senior Men's Championship and once again qualifying for the Worlds at the 2003 Southern Oireachtas under the direction of:

Sandra Connick - Rince Na h'Eireann - Charlotte, NC.
Michael Mullane - Mullane Irish Dance Academy - Quad City, IL.

Planning to extend his career beyond competition Patrick attended the final session of the Gaelic Roots Masters classes in Boston College studying with Jackie Kennedy, Liam Harney, Tony Nolan and many other notable members of the Irish Dance community.

Patrick stopped competing in 2003 to focus on teaching. A few years later he moved back to his native Northern Virginia to help his sister Lauren build the McGrath Academy of Irish Dance, founded by their mother Jeanne McGrath in 1972. Shortly thereafter, he formed the Patrick McGrath Academy.



Kathleen E. Clifford
- 2nd Generation Instructor
- Champion Irish Dancer

Youngest daughter of Jeanne McGrath Pearson, TCRG Kathleen began dance at the age of three, taking lessons in tap, ballet, jazz, gymnastics, and lyrical in addition to Irish Step dancing. She entered her first Feisanna at the age of six under the O’Neil-James School of Irish Dance, in Virginia. Kathleen’s other instructors would include Regan Wick, June Butler and Judy McCafferty.

Kathleen has won many medals and trophies in competition, last placing as an Open Champion in 1999. She has since married and had two daughters of her own.

Kathleen is actively involved in the Patrick McGrath Academy of Irish Dance, and is currently a full time student at Macon State College pursuing her Associates with hopes of someday taking her TCRG exam.