MEET THE TEACHERS
MARIA MAHER-ASTLEY, TCRG
Hi, my name is Maria Maher-Astley and I’ve been fostering a love of Irish dance in western Sydney for over 29 years now. After a successful career as a competitive dancer, I opened the Maher School of Irish Dance in 1994 and have gone on to train many NSW State Champions, Australian International Oireachtas Champions, and Australian National Champions in both solo and team dancing. I have produced countless World Qualifiers over the years, and I’m proud to say that my students have recalled and placed at the World Championships on multiple occasions.
I’ve been thrilled to see my students selected to perform in touring Irish dance shows including Celtic Illusion, Eireborne and A Taste of Ireland — spreading the art of Irish dance to audiences all around Australia. My students also performed at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, and they have graced stages big and small everywhere from Sydney Town Hall right through to the world-famous Sydney Opera House.
I am a fully qualified TCRG*, an active member of CLRG and AIDA NSW, and a life member of AIDA Inc.
LOUISE LENIHAN, TCRG
Hi, my name is Louise Lenihan and I have been teaching Irish dancing for over 14 years. I started dancing at the age of six (after seeing it performed on an episode of Play School!) and went on to compete at State, Australian and World Championship level, winning over 20 Australian national ceili titles along the way. My 20-year career as a dancer took me across Australia and around the world — performing on live television, in theatres, stadiums and stages on several continents.
After hanging up my competitive shoes in 2009, I attained my formal teaching qualifications, passing with distinction (TCRG, registered with AIDA NSW, AIDA Inc and CLRG*). For many years I taught for one of the oldest and most successful schools in the country under the guidance of the Patron of the Australian Irish Dancing Association, Janice Currie-Henderson, before finally deciding to establish my own school.
I am also one half of the duo behind Irish dance website Ready to Feis, and co-wrote and published the book Parade of Champions: Inspiration for the Irish Dancer.
ABOUT OUR SCHOOL
After years of growing our own separate schools, we decided to join forces in late 2022, and Penrith Gaels Maher Lenihan Irish Dance was born. With similar teaching styles and a shared belief that the studio should be a warm and welcoming space for everyone, the two schools came together seamlessly and have been thriving as one ever since.
Our school caters for all ages — from tiny tots to established seniors. We are an approved Active Kids and Creative Kids provider, and our classes are structured to enable dancers to learn at their own pace.
Students are encouraged to enter competitions and strive for excellence, but if there’s one thing we’ve learnt through our dancing careers, it’s that the friendships you make along the way are far more important than any trophy.
If you or your child would like to join the Penrith Gaels Maher Lenihan family, feel free to take the next step and contact us.
Looking forward to meeting you,
Maria & Louise
* TCRG stands for Teagascóir Choimisiúin le Rinci Gaelacha and translates to Commission Certified Irish Dance Teacher). CLRG is An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha — the oldest and largest governing body globally for competitive Irish dancing. We are also registered with the Australian Irish Dancing Association and have current Working With Children Checks.