about us

Gens d’Ys

Since its foundation in 1993, the amateur sports association (a.s.d.), Gens d’Ys has been synonymous with Irish dance in Italy.

The Association was launched by a group of friends but it quickly became the most important Italian academy dedicated to the traditional dances of the Emerald Isle.

Thanks to the collaboration of various expert teachers and dancers, including some at World Championship level, such as Sinead Venables, Gens d’Ys has now spread all over Italy, with 29 active branches in 21 cities, 5 of those in regional capitals (Milan, Florence, Rome, Bologna and Palermo).

We collaborate with several state and private institutes, associations and businesses.

The Academy has been granted the patronage of the Irish Embassy in Italy on several occasions, that of various Ministries and has enjoyed the patronage of Tourism Ireland since 2011.

Numbers

Gens d’Ys consists of 39 teachers, 6 of whom are CLRG certified (An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha). Three teachers in particular have reached TCRG standard (solo), becoming the first Italians in the world to pass this specific exam, while one, again the first Italian ever, has the TRMF qualification to teach céilí dancing.

We offer a year-long beginner level course in Breton, Scottish and Irish dance, while we specialise in Irish group (céilí or set) and solo dances (step heavy & light) in subsequent years. We have been offering Scottish dance lessons and preparation for international competitions over the past few years. Specific courses are also open to children. Courses are available across our branches on various days of the week.

Over the past number of years, our dancers have won several first prizes at international Feiseanna all over Europe, while two of our best girls qualified for the World Championships in Dublin in 2017 and Glasgow 2018, having come third and fifth in the European Championships in Vienna in 2016 and forth and fifth in Gdyinia (Poland) in 2017.