Sheila Moffatt Named All-Ireland All-Star Cultural Ambassador Traditional Arts 2021

Moffatt School Of Irish Dancing founder Sheila Moffatt has been named All-Star Cultural Ambassador in Traditional Arts 2021 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation.

Under her direction, the Mayo-based dancing school has produced numerous regional, national, & world champions. 

Sheila has been recognised by the All-Ireland Business Foundation for her outstanding contribution to the traditional arts sector and her passion for passing on the tradition of Irish dancing to all her students in both competitive and non-competitive forms.

Moffatt Dancing School Founder, Sheila Moffatt, pictured with her Accreditation Certificate and Medallion.

Business All-Star Accreditation is an independently verified standard mark for indigenous businesses, based on rigorous selection criteria. The Accreditation is overseen by the prestigious All-Ireland Business Foundation, whose adjudication panel is chaired by Dr Briga Hynes of the University of Limerick and Kieran Ring, CEO of the Global Institute of Logistics.

Reacting to the announcement Sheila Moffatt said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive the Accreditation on behalf of everyone involved with the school, it is a huge honour to receive the All-Ireland All-Star Cultural Ambassador For Traditional Arts Accreditation.”

“I enjoyed the process and have already started to learn so much. I look forward to continuing to develop Moffatt School of Irish Dancing to bring it to the next level. A sincere thank you to everyone involved with the school – dancers, parents, the backroom team and of course, my own family who support me in every way possible.”

Deputy Chair on the Adjudication Board Kieran Ring, said in support of the announcement: “The Accreditation is in recognition of Sheila’s outstanding contribution to the traditional arts sector and in particular, Irish dance. Sheila has flown the Irish flag across the world and is regarded as the preeminent authority on the art form. As the principle of the Mayo-based Moffatt School Of Irish Dance established in 1990 Sheila has successfully overseen the handing down of the art form to countless generations. Sheila Moffatt is hereby included in the AIBF Register Of Irish Business Excellence.”

Managing Director of the All-Ireland Business Foundation Kapil Khanna saidthe Accreditation, which is now held by over 500 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards, but have nothing to measure them by.

He said:“We evaluate a company’s background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.”

The All-Ireland Business Foundation (AIBF) is an autonomous national accreditation body tasked with enterprise development and the promotion of Best-in-Class in Irish business.

The Foundation actively engages and supports its network through peer-dialogue, collaboration, mentoring and enterprise development activities. Companies are qualified for accreditation by completing an enterprise audit and are identified by their use of the AIBF’s Business All-Star Marque.