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In the late 1800s, William J. Healy emigrated from Co. Cork bringing with him a love for Irish music and dance. William J. Healy was known for dancing hornpipes and many of the other traditional dances of Ireland which he passed on to his son William P. Healy. So inspired by his father′s passion for Irish dance, William P. founded The Healy School of Irish Dance. In a small but developing Irish community, William P. kept the tradition alive with the help of his daughter Ann Healy. As a young girl Ann grew up in a house full of Irish music and she was introduced to all types of dance, though none interested her as much as Irish Dancing. The Healy School became involved in all the Irish activities in the San Francisco area and represented Ireland at the 1936 World Fair on Treasure Island. Ann helped her father with classes and eventually took over the school. Ann still teaches in the area, but now shares the responsibility of the school with her daughter Patti Ann Ranum. This mother and daughter pair teach seven days a week and have expanded their school beyond San Francisco to Marin and Sonoma counties. They are assisted in classes by Patti Ann's daughters, Christina and Alisa. With over 150 families now active in the school, representing children of all ages and abilities, the Healy School is able to play an even greater role in their San Francisco and North Bay communities, while also competing at the highest levels of regional, national, and world competition. The Healy School currently boasts of 28 Western Regional solo medalists, 8 National medalists, and our Senior Ladies Ceili Team, currently ranked 14th at the World Championships of Irish Dancing. Healy Irish Dancers have repeatedly medalled in the North American Championships and some have recalled at the most prestigious World Championships held in Ireland annually. |
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2036 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA 94116
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