The O'Rourke School of Dancing was founded in Limerick in 1929 by Mary and Margaret O'Rourke and in the 1930s expanded to Clare, with Margaret taking classes in Ogonelloe. Their young sister Úna Ní Ruairc became a champion dancer and teacher at Scoil Uí Ruairc. The class passed into the hands of the second generation of the family when it was taken over by Áine Ní Thuathaigh and her sister Máirín.

Scoil Uí Ruairc has been active in Ennis and at other venues in County Clare and Tipperary since 1965. Now in its third generation, the school will continue to promote all aspects of Irish music, song, dance and language at home and abroad for many years to come, such is the commitment to passing on the tradition and creating performance opportunities for all its students.

Students of Scoil Uí Ruairc have won Munster, All-Ireland and World titles and have played leading roles on Broadway, but all of them have been encouraged to enjoy their dancing – integral to the ethos of the O'Rourke School. Planxty O'Rourke is the touring performance wing of Scoil Uí Ruairc, comprising musicians, singers and dancers from Limerick, Clare and Tipperary. The group has toured extensively throughout Europe and has also performed in the US, Canada and the Philippines.