Mathilde Baudot may not have been born in Ireland or carry its DNA, but she holds Irish dance and the core of its culture in her heart and soul. From her small hometown in Isère near Lyon, France, the 26-year-old founded her own Irish dance association two years ago, nurturing a fascination that began when she was a tiny tot.

“My family isn’t Irish and I didn’t visit Ireland when I was young,” she shares via email. “When I was three, I kept telling my parents that I wanted to do Irish dancing, but I lived on the French Riviera, and there was no Irish dance school anywhere near us. I did ballet from the age of 3 to 14. I had to wait until I moved to Lyon for my studies before I finally found an Irish dance school.

Like many younger people involved with the sport, she fell in love with Irish dance after seeing Riverdance. “I saw the show once in France and three times in Ireland. I have the 2025 performance on DVD and know it by heart. I particularly admire the styles of Amy Mae Dolan, Anna Mai Fitzpatrick, and Courtney D’Angelo.”

Those influences fueled her passion further, leading her into competitions where she quickly found success. “I’ve won many of my competitions, which is very rewarding. I fact, I have won so many trophies that a friend once had to pack my clothes in her suitcase so I could pack all my trophies in mine!”

Along with her achievements came Baudot’s commitment to share Irish dance and its culture with others. She began teaching in 2022 and now runs the Keltia Irish Dance.

“My students are between 6 and 8 years old. I teach them the basics of Irish dance by creating playful activities so they can learn while having fun. I teach them beginner choreographies, and we work on technique. I also teach them to hear the rhythm and to recognize traditional musical instruments.”

Baudot hopes to give her young dancers the opportunities that she herself did not have early enough. “My main challenges are working quickly and improving quickly. Because I started at 18, the age when Irish dancers usually begin their professional careers, my dream of becoming a professional dancer will probably not come true.”

Still, she remains undeterred and deeply motivated. “In France, young people don’t know much about Irish dance, unless they have seen clips of shows on TV.

“Our mission is to introduce Irish dance to the public. We perform in the streets, at private events, and at public festivals – audiences love it.”

Her enthusiasm is matched only by her commitment to preserve and promote Celtic and Irish culture beyond its traditional borders. “I feel like Ireland is becoming more and more visible in France. There is more Irish dance on television, and two touring companies travel around the country every year. There is also the Festival L’Interceltic in Lorient in August each year, and every small town organizes something for St. Patrick’s Day, even in the less populated regions. Many recent French novels are set in Ireland, the Riverdance animated film was released in French on Netflix, and there are always tourism ads for Ireland during prime-time TV.”

Beyond observing trends in French popular culture, Baudot has immersed herself in Ireland’s deeper story. “As I learned more about the culture, I realized that it is not just folklore – it has essential elements for everyday life and is deeply cherished by the Irish people.”

She has also delved into the nation’s history and resonates with its legacy. “In my opinion, because the country was invaded so many times – by the Vikings and then the English – and because the population was oppressed for centuries, the Irish today have proudly reclaimed what rightfully belongs to them. This moves me deeply.”

With heartfelt dedication, Baudot continues to develop her association, welcome new members, and create new shows. “We have been invited to perform in June 2026 at the Irish festival, Fest’Irlande, and until then, we will organize workshops to introduce children and adults to Irish dance. I’m proud to be able to share this culture around me, here in France.”

@keltia.irishdance