World Class Instruction
Inishfree Austin is under the direction of former Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames Lead Dancer, Patrick McCarthy, Championship Dancer, Pierce Beach, and Kathleen McCarthy is our guest teacher and is also a former Lord of the Dance Lead Dancer.
Patrick McCarthy, ADCRG
Patrick is a native of Belfast, Ireland and has over 20 years of competitive dance experience. He has five years dancing globally as part of Michael Flatley’s world touring and record breaking troupes. Patrick was a consistent top 3 competitor in all the major Irish Dance competitions. As well as being a qualified Irish dance instructor and adjudicator, Patrick also has an honors degree in Physical Therapy. Incorporating Irish Dance with his knowledge of injury and prevention is another reason Inishfree Dancers keep their bodies in tip-top condition. Patrick's main focus in class is to help develop the young dancers, choreograph material, and work closely with the Texan Champion dancers.
Pierce Beach, TCRG
Pierce is a Regional Champion and has competed and placed in both solo and team dancing at the World Championships. Pierce was one of the very first Southern Region Oireachtas Champions. From the age of ten, until he retired, Pierce qualified for the World Championships in both solo and team dancing. Pierce works mainly with new dancers and over the last two years has developed a talent for this. Inishfree has some of the most talented young dancers in the region with three of our youngest dancers being crowned Regional Champions this year.
Gavan Mooney, Support Staff
Gavan started dancing with Inishfree Austin at the age of 8 in 2009. Within 3 years, he was competing at his first World Championships, and he competed at every single Worlds from 2012 to 2021.
His highest ranking was 8th in the world. He was the European Championship in 2019.
Gavan breaks down skills to help dancers improve their competitive side of dancing to enhance their technique and give their dancing attention grabbing performance quality.
Gavan graduated from Griffith College in Dublin, Ireland with a degree in Music Production in 2024 where he worked as a sound engineer for bands in recording studios and in live performances.
He can still be found working with local musicians and even performing around Texas with local Irish bands.
Caroline Cofoid, Support Staff
Caroline grew up in Chicago, Illinois where she competed in Irish dance for 14 years with the Mulhern School and Mullane Godley School (formerly Mullane Healy Godley.) Caroline’s greatest dance achievements include winning the North American National Championships, 5 Mid America Oireachtas Championships, a top 10 placement at the World Championship,s and consistent top 5 and top 10 placements at the All Ireland, British National, Great Britain and All Scotland Championships.
Caroline began teaching private lessons in her basement to younger dance students when she was 10 years old. From a young age, Caroline loved mentoring, training and supporting dancers achieve their dreams. Caroline understands first hand that a teacher’s constructive feedback and undivided attention is incredibly valuable and she strives to meet each individual student where they are in order to support their goals and dreams.
When Caroline is not teaching in the studio, she is working as a speech-language pathologist, teaching yoga sculpt classes or walking her sweet sausage dog, Mario!