Blackthorn Academy of Irish Dance

09/17/2026

Happy International Irish Dance day! We love all of our dancers, even (especially) when they are chaotic. When this song came on during a road trip, inspiration struck and this….whatever this is…was born. Enjoy our sweet and crazy moments over the years!

🎵 Rebel Hearts by

09/14/2026

🎂 HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX! 🎂

Today is the day our beloved owner, teacher, and friend Alex Hailey Warren was born! We celebrated her birthday with a craft party on Saturday, but we have to call attention to the day itself too!

Alex is truly a one-of-a-kind person. She is so passionate about dance and cares deeply about every one of her students. She goes above and beyond for each one of them and doesn’t think twice about going out of her way to help a friend. Alex works hard and loves harder. Her obsession with Diet Coke and pickles remains unmatched and should be studied, tbh.

We love you, Alex! Thank you for everything you do, and for being a rock when we need you most. We’ll see you in class tonight!

Western United States Irish Dance CLRG Irish Dancing Official IDTANA

09/07/2026

🌴 FEIS RESULTS 🌴

One of our Adult dancers Lexi competed at the Finest City Feis (Hidden Valley & Finest City Feisanna) yesterday and she cleaned up. Just look at all those medals! Lexi made the most of her trip and got to see some beautiful parts of the coast before the feis. Thank you to Malone Academy of Irish Dance for hosting a great feis! Without further ado, here are Lexi’s results:

3rd in Adult Novice Reel
🏆 1st in Adult Novice Light Jig
🏆 1st in Adult Novice Slip Jig
🏆 1st in Adult Novice Single Jig
🏆 1st in Adult Beginner Treble Jig
🏆 1st in Adult Beginner Hornpipe
2nd in Adult Novice Traditional Set

CLRG Irish Dancing Official IDTANA Western United States Irish Dance

08/23/2026

Did you miss our performance at the Douglas County Celtic Society’s Highland Games today? Don’t worry, we’ll be back tomorrow! Same time (1:15), same place (in front of the fountain)!

08/23/2026

🏆 FEIS RESULTS 🏆

Katie represented Blackthorn at Feis in the Vines today, winning the Adult Champ competition! She danced her heart out and her results prove it. We love seeing our dancers compete during vacations and travelling for competitions, and we are so proud of Katie for absolutely killing it today! Thank you to Keenan Irish Dance for hosting a fantastic feis, and good luck to those competing in Grades tomorrow!

CLRG Irish Dancing Official IDTANA Western United States Irish Dance

08/04/2026

Looking for a way to meet new people and be a part of something special? Become a part of the Meese and you'll never look back!

WE'RE BACK! After four agonizing months of Meeseless-ness, Céilí Class returns with drop-in dancing on Tuesday nights! Join Moose Skywalker and Mousey-Wan Kenobi as they dance to end lonely Tuesdays. NEW LOCATION at Blackthorn's studio!

WHO: You! And your friends and family!
WHAT: Drop-in Irish social dance classes
WHERE: Knights of Pythias building (420 W 12th Ave in Eugene)
WHEN: Tuesdays from 7:30-9pm, starting August 4th
PRICE: The first class is free; sliding scale $5-$15 for subsequent classes

Hope to see you on the dance floor soon!

07/27/2026

✨FEIS RESULTS✨

Our crew drove up to Olympia this weekend for the Dance for Life Feis and the Robert Haley Memorial Feis, hosted by Haley Prendergast School of Irish Dance and they did great! This was Clara’s first feis as a champ and Sarah’s first feis since returning to dance and we are so proud of both of them!

SATURDAY:
Clara:
5th in U15 Prelim hardshoe, her first champ feis!

Juliette:
2nd in Beginner 2 Reel
3rd in Beginner 1 Slip Jig
4th in Novice Treble Jig
4th in Beginner 2 Hornpipe
4th in Novice Treble Jig

Karissa:
🏆 5th in Adult Championship

Katie:
🏆 1st in Adult Championship

Lexi:
3rd in Adult Novice/Prizewinner Reel
🏆 1st in Adult Beginner 1/2 Light Jig, moved up to Novice!
3rd in Adult Beginner 1/2 Slip Jig
3rd in Adult Beginner 1/2 Single Jig
2nd in Adult Beginner 1/2 Treble Jig
🏆 1st in Adult Beginner 1/2 Hornpipe
2nd in Adult Novice/Prizewinner Traditional Set

Sarah:
5th in Adult Champ Soft Shoe

Stella:
2nd in Prizewinner Single Jig
🏆 1st in Prizewinner Treble Jig, one step closer to Prelim!
🏆 1st in Novice Hornpipe, moved up to Prizewinner!
2nd in Prizewinner Traditional Set
🏆 6th in Prizewinner Reel Special

SUNDAY:
Catherine:
Runner up in Blackbird Special

Clara:
5th in U14 Prelim set
🏆 3rd in Championship Hornpipe Special

Juliette:
3rd in Beginner 1 Slip Jig
🏆 1st in Beginner 2 Hornpipe, moved up to Novice!
3rd in Beginner 2 St. Patrick’s Day
🏆 4th in Beginner 1/2 Reel Special

Karissa:
🏆 1st in Adult Champ

Katie:
🏆 2nd in Adult Champ

Stella:
5th in Prizewinner Reel
5th in Prizewinner Light Jig
4th in Prizewinner Slip Jig
4th in Prizewinner Traditional Set

Western U.S. Region Irish Dance CLRG Irish Dancing Commission Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America

06/29/2026

🌈 HAPPY PRIDE! 🏳️‍⚧️

This weekend we danced at Eugene Pride and Albany Pride! We had a great time sharing our love for dance with the community and being surrounded by our people. Q***r people have always existed and we will continue to exist as long as humanity does. Love is love! 🏳️‍🌈

***r

06/21/2026

🎉 FEIS RESULTS 🎉

Stella travelled to Utah this weekend to compete at the Utah Feis hosted by The Scariff Locklier Leonelli School of Irish Dance, Utah and she rocked it! We love seeing our dancers competing while on vacation, it shows how much they truly love dancing and competing. Stella hit some big landmarks today, getting much closer to moving up into Prelim this weekend! This girl was Beginner 2 in Traditional Set a week and a half ago and today she won it in Prizewinner. Isn’t that insane?! Thank you to the Scariff School for hosting a great feis!

🏅STELLA’S RESULTS:🏅
2nd in Prizewinner Light Jig
🏆1st in Prizewinner Single Jig, one step closer to Prelim!
🏆1st in Prizewinner Treble Jig, another step closer to Prelim!
🏆2nd in Beginner 2 Hornpipe, moved up to Novice!
🏆1st in Prizewinner Traditional Set, ANOTHER step closer to Prelim!
🏆4th in Mairead O’Flaherty special
🏆3rd in Reel/Slip Jig Special
🏆2nd in Second Chance Prizewinner Light Jig, yet ANOTHER step closer to Prelim!

Western U.S. Region Irish Dance CLRG Irish Dancing Commission Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America