Stepping it out

IN an attempt to maintain the tradition of Irish dancing in Killaloe and Ballina, a local publican has organised classes for children.
Ann Benson has held set-dancing classes for adults in the Anchor Inn for 30 years but noticed there was little in the way for younger generations.
Every Wednesday night at 7.30pm, 16 Australian, English and local children come to the Anchor Inn to step it out with set dancing and brush dancing before adult classes at 9pm.
Classes are provided by Leaving Cert pupil Linda McLeish, who learned her craft from Kieran Donnellan from Bodyke. Mr Donnellan, who still provides words of wisdom and advice to Linda, teaches the adult classes.
Ms Benson said the children are showing great improvement in their dancing. “If we don’t teach children Irish traditional dancing, it will not survive in the future. This is a great opportunity to keep it alive for future generations. Linda is incredible for her age and all the children are very well behaved,” she said.
The group will be heading to the Mountshannon céilí on Friday, June 4 before it breaks up for the summer holidays.