History

The Bentra School of Irish Dancing was formed in 1992 by Mrs Jacqueline Haggan (nee Hill). Jacqueline started dancing at the age of 3 years old and attended the Andrews School of Dancing in Larne (now known as Glenarna) and later when she got married joined the June Betts School of Dancing (now Royal Tara School) in Carrickfergus. Jacqueline was an Ulster Champion and held other titles throughout her competitive dancing, before retiring she then qualified to teach and became affiliated to the Festival Dance Teachers Association.

Jacqueline has a daughter Laura who also danced but now is teaching alongside her mother.

The pupils not only do competitive work but also carry out a lot of display work throughout the province and also as far as Spain where they performed by request for the late Mr Lonnie Donegan M.B.E. The school also supports several charities throughout the year.