Irish America

Dance

Hall of Fame: Dancer, Choreographer, Teacher Jean Butler

By Tom Deignan, Columnist
march / april 2020

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A few years back, the Irish dancing community was dealt a series of devastating losses. Four celebrated dance masters – Jimmy Erwin, Jerry Mulvihill, Michael Bergin, and Peter Smith – passed away in close succession.“All I could think,” recalls Riverdance choreographer and dancer Jean Butler, “was the steps and stories that died with them. The dances live in the … [Read more...] about Hall of Fame: Dancer, Choreographer, Teacher Jean Butler

Decades of Irish Dance: Celebrating Patsy McLoughlin

By Kristin McGowan, Contributor
May / June 2019

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Irish dancing is a very important part of the heritage and culture of Ireland and the Irish-American community, and no one knows that better than Patsy McLoughlin. ℘℘℘ Patsy Early McLoughlin founded her school of Irish dance in 1968 in Inwood, New York, and now, 50 years later, she still teaches her students that Irish dance is as much about family and friendship as it is about … [Read more...] about Decades of Irish Dance: Celebrating Patsy McLoughlin

American Success at Fleadh
Cheoil na hÉireann 2015

By Siobhan Peters, Contributor
October / November 2015

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Musicians and spectators from across the globe descended on Sligo in August to take part in Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the annual week-long festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance. Now in its 64th year, this competition for amateur musicians brought crowds of 400,000 people to the town, hosting the competition for the second year running. The event was estimated to … [Read more...] about American Success at Fleadh
Cheoil na hÉireann 2015

World Irish Dance-Off

By Matthew Skwiat, Contributing Editor
June / July 2015

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Hairspray, fake wigs, and oodles of bling were on full display in front of 20,000 spectators for the 45th installment of the Irish World Dance Championships which took place in Montreal at the Palais des Congres in April. It marked the first time the event took place on Canadian soil and proved to be a massive crowd pleasing event that saw more than 5,000 competitors put their … [Read more...] about World Irish Dance-Off

Reel Life Miracle

August / September 2013

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Irish Set Dancing Found Therapeutic for Parkinson’s Patients Italian neurologist Dr. Daniele Volpe has long been a fan of Irish traditional music, making yearly trips to Ireland and playing in a band under the stage name Dan Fox. Little did he think, however, that he would be able to incorporate his love of trad music with his work as head of the Parkinson’s Rehabili-tation … [Read more...] about Reel Life Miracle