A Great Place to Grow Up

Ann Healy, ADCRG, TCRG Patti Ann Ranum, ADCRG, TCRG Christina Ranum, DPT Alisa Ranum

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 continues to teach beginner level dancers, but now shares the responsibility of running the school with her daughter Patti Ann and her granddaughters Christina and Alisa. Between the 3 generations, they offer dance lessons seven days a week and have expanded their school beyond San Francisco to Marin and Sonoma counties.

The Healy Irish Dance Studio gained recognition internationally for team dancing in 2004 with the Senior Ladies Ceili placing 14th at the World Championships in Belfast, Ireland, ranking them 2nd in the United States. In 2006, the Junior Girls Ceili placed 5th at the World Championships in Belfast, ranking them the top North American team. Throughout the years, several Healy soloists have recalled at the World Championships, including John O'Malley who was the first dancer from the Western Region to ever recall at the World Championships. More recent solo medalists include Noreen Boyle TCRG, Christina Ranum, and Hannah Kathleen Williams.

With over 100 families now active in the school, representing children of all ages and abilities, the Healy School plays an even greater role in promoting Irish dance and Irish culture in their San Francisco, Marin, and Sonoma County communities.