Marion Flanagan, ADCRG BG
Principal Teacher, Adjudicator & Grade Examiner
Born and raised in Oxford to Irish parents, Marion’s journey began at age four. Training with the Anne Flood School and the McDonald Academy, she competed at the World Championships from the age of 15 until transitioning into her true calling: teaching.
With 40 years of experience, Marion has a proven track record of nurturing champions. Under her guidance, dancers have secured prestigious titles at the North American Nationals, British Nationals, and European Championships, alongside Top 5 finishes at the All Irelands and World Championships.
As a qualified Adjudicator (ADCRG) and Grade Examiner (BG), Marion has judged at the highest levels of the sport, including the World Championships. Her deep technical knowledge ensures every student at our school receives a world-class foundation.
Ashleigh John, TCRG
Teacher
Ashleigh’s passion for dance was sparked at age four in Auckland, NZ, inspired by the iconic Eurovision performance of Riverdance. That spark led to a stellar competitive career, including multiple National titles, a Top 10 finish at the North American Championships, and several World Recall medals.
Beyond the competitive stage, Ashleigh has an extensive professional background. She toured across New Zealand, Australia, North America, and Europe as a lead dancer and dance captain with renowned shows including Danceperados of Ireland, Rhythms of Ireland, and Celtic Rhythms. This professional journey continues today; Ashleigh now runs Eire Dance Company alongside her husband, musician Conor Martin, specialising in professional Irish dance and live music for corporate events.
After completing a degree in Business and Marketing, Ashleigh earned her TCRG teaching certification in 2017. She joined the Marion Flanagan team shortly after qualifying, bringing her vibrant energy, professional stagecraft, and wealth of industry experience to both our adult and children’s classes.
Ellie-Kate McCarthy
Assistant Teacher
Ellie-Kate began her Irish dancing journey at just two years old, and from my very first steps she was captivated by the discipline, artistry, and spirit of the sport. What started as a childhood passion grew into a lifelong commitment that shaped both her character and career.
Throughout her competitive career, Ellie-Kate achieved success at the highest levels of Irish dancing. Her titles include British National Champion, Scottish National Champion, American National Champion, and nine-time Southern England Regional Oireachtas Champion, including the Three Nations title. She was honoured to be Runner-Up at both the Great Britain Championships and the All Ireland Championships, and to place 4th at the World Irish Dance Championships among the very best dancers in the world.
In 2024, Ellie-Kate retired from competitive Irish dancing, closing an unforgettable chapter of her life and opening an exciting new one. Since then, she has achieved my Level 3 Sports Coaching qualification and Level 3 Personal Trainer certification, allowing her to bring a deeper understanding of athletic development, strength training, injury prevention, and performance preparation into her teaching.
Irish dancing remains her greatest passion. Ellie-Kate is dedicated to passing on the knowledge, discipline, and love for the art that has given her so much. As a teacher at the Marion Flanagan School of Irish Dancing, she is proud to work alongside her mum in continuing to build and grow the school in Oxford. Together, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of dancers — helping each child build confidence, resilience, and excellence both on and off the stage.
Laoise Ingram
Assistant Teacher
Laoise’s inspiration to start Irish dancing was her 2 older sisters. She began her dance journey at just four years old with the Marion Flanagan School of Irish Dance. Her passion for Irish dancing quickly grew leading to qualifying for the World Championships multiple times and proudly competing on the world stage in both solos and teams.
Over the years, she continued to compete and dance on major stages with teams winning major titles and world medals. After retiring from competitive dancing at 15, Laoise continued to dance for fun for a few more years. She has now set my sights on the next chapter— working towards becoming a qualified TCRG.
Ready to learn from the best?
Whether you’re aiming for the World Championships or just looking for a new hobby, we can’t wait to welcome you to the floor.
Marion Flanagan Irish Dance 