Dance Ireland, the trading name of the Association of Professional Dancers in Ireland Ltd [APDI] was founded in 1989 and incorporated as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee in 1992. Initially administered under the umbrella of the Dance Council of Ireland, APDI was a proactive initiative whereby dancers and choreographers could offer ongoing daily classes in contemporary and ballet techniques for the professional dance community. The association quickly grew, and re-branded itself as Dance Ireland in 2006.

The incorporating members were: John Scott, Roy Galvin, Zelda Quilligan, Robert Connor, Fiona Quilligan, Jeffrey Fox, and Loretta Yurick.

Established at a time of radical change, and refocus in national funding policy for dance, which saw the demise of Dublin Contemporary Dance Theatre, Irish National Ballet and Dublin City Ballet from the late 1980s onwards, and the concomitant rise of new project-based companies (Irish Modern Dance Theatre, Dance Theatre of Ireland, CoisC�im, Rex Levitates); APDI was for many years a lifeline for the professional dance community. Over time the organisation developed its programme by introducing international guest residencies, mentored choreographic platforms, master classes, cross arts sessions, and for a short period in the 1990s ran a dance festival (DanceFest).

As the organisation�s programme grew in response to the dance sector�s desire for practical support and developmental opportunities, so too did its advocacy voice and over the past 17 years has provided a platform for the membership to address issues of concern. Find out more about Dance Ireland�s advocacy work here.

With the unanimous support of the Arts Council, Dublin City Council and its membership, the APDI successfully re-branded as Dance Ireland in 2006, at the same time as we assumed management of DanceHouse.