Siblings Eileen Mulhern O’Kane and Coleen Mulhern Malloy – both former North American National Champions in Irish dance and former students of dance legend, Michael Flatley – founded The Mulhern School of Irish Dance in Illinois in 2001. A decade later, the Chicago-based school has amassed an impressive collection of trophies and titles in national and international competition.

Most recently, the school competed at the Regional Championship over Thanksgiving weekend in Chicago and took home 7 Regional titles, had 15 soloists in the Top Ten and qualified 21 students to compete at the World Championships! The World Championship takes place in Belfast, Northern Ireland the first week in April. The school will also be taking their 42 soloists who qualified to the North American National Championship this coming July.

The sisters began their teaching careers after achieving their own impressive list of Irish dancing honors.

Coleen won the Mid-American Oireachtas consistently with the exception of one year. She is a North American National Champion and World medal holder. Coleen has adjudicated at many competitions throughout North America including the 2010 North American National Championships and most recently has been invited to adjudicate the prestigious 2012 All Ireland Competition.

Eileen was the undefeated Mid-American Oireachtas Champion for 11 years in a row. She was the 2 time North American National Champion and placed at World’s every year she competed.

Both sisters have also performed with The Chieftans on Chicago newscasts, for Mayor Richard Daly and in concerts all over North America. Both are also accomplished fiddle players who were taught by Chicago’s, Liz Carroll.

The youngest of seven children, Eileen and Coleen were first exposed to Irish dance when they went along to lessons with their older siblings. Their parents, Brian and Bridie, immigrated from Ireland and all seven children took Irish step dancing lessons with Chicago legend, Pat Roche.

As the two youngest advanced, they went on to dance with great success under the tutelage of Dennis and Margie Dennehy. They also danced with Flatley when he opened his school in Chicago after winning the World Championships. When Flatley closed the school to tour with the Chieftains and ultimately Lord of the Dance & River Dance, June Butler of the Butler Academy in Toronto, Canada took over the school and commuted to Chicago.

Coleen and Eileen received their TCRG’s in 2001 and began teaching in their home town of Hinsdale, Illinois.

They opened their new dance studio in 2006 in Westmont, Illinois and continue to provide instruction at studios in Hinsdale and Chicago. They have consistently developed their students from beginner all the way up to World Championship level. They have achieved titles at the Regional, National Championships, Great Britain Championships in addition to numerous medalists at the World Championship, All Ireland, British National and All Scotland Championships.

Classes are held on Wednesdays at On Your Toes Dance Studio, 5810 W. 36th Street, St. Louis Park. Students are now being accepted for all levels. Depending on the child, students may begin instruction as early as age 3. Please email coleen@mulhernschoolofirishdance.com for more information.

Contact the Mulhern School to arrange a visit to a class in the Twin Cities.