Danaher, Dierdre
Three-time All-Ireland harp winner at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil (international Irish music competition) – the first American to ever achieve such a feat -- Deirdre Danaher has dedicated her career to the education of children with special needs.
Directing professional development for teachers in a wide range of educational administration, both at schools as well as district levels, Danaher began the ascent in education as a teacher of hearing and language impaired children, then became a staff developer, a special education supervisor, assistant principal, and principal. She is now the educational administrator for the Leadership learning Support Organization, part of the New York City Department of Education. She has been employed at the department for over 30 years.
Danaher is a graduate of Fordham University, New York University and Pace University. She attended University College Cork for one year on a Rotary Scholarship. Danaher is a first generation Irish American, with both parents’ families hailing from County Cork.
“Irish music speaks to the soul of our roots. As a classroom teacher, I incorporated a great deal of Irish music with my students,” says Danaher. “I love all aspects of traditional Irish music, both as a listener and a musician.”
Danaher, a member of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann and the Cork Association of New York, is married to Paul Keating and has three children, Siobhan, Shane and Ronan.
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