Kildare Irish Figure Dancers present Dance For Brigid on May 7

Dance for Brigid is a new unique show dedicated to St Brigid and is being run in association with the Kildare County Council and the Brigid 1500 festivities and grants.

Kildare Irish Figure Dancers explain; “it will be a first of its kind, packed with traditional and specially created dances designed especially for this show and as a tribute to St Brigid”.

The dancers will be joined by some special guests on Sunday, May 7 — The St. Brigid’s Pipe Band, The Liffey Choir and Mairead Carroll, and they also have a couple of their own dancers performing musical acts too.

“We are proud to have the St Brigid’s cross as our logo and extra proud to be from Kildare, the county where there is so much history and connection to St Brigid,” says Caroline Morrissey from the Kildare Irish Figure Dancers.

“It is an honour to represent Kildare around this country and abroad. We are on our first overseas trip to Disneyland Paris in August this year, where the dancers will put on an exhibition on the stage and proudly represent, their county , their country and Kildare Irish figure dancing.”

The group is an extension of Kildare Irish Figure Dancing Council which is in existence for 75 years. It is a new amalgamation of all the figure dancing classes in Kildare. It was set up in November 2022 by long time member Caroline Morrissey.

Caroline has been a member of Droichead Nua Irish figure dancing class for over 40 years now. She was getting concerned about the falling numbers of dancers in all the classes and is passionate about keeping this tradition alive. She says she wanted to give the dancers another element of dancing and provide opportunities and experiences that would keep their interest and give them something fun to look forward to, outside the feis competitions.

There are now 47 members in the group, all aged between 13 and 24. These dancers will normally compete against each other throughout the year but come together on Sunday mornings in Newbridge to work together to create and learn new dances and prepare for future exhibitions and events.

The first practice was held on Sunday, November 6.

Caroline was joined with other dance teachers, Lorraine Deering from the Skerries class, Zoe Cullen from the Brownstown class

and Hannah Cusack from Droichead Nua class.

These teachers also share Caroline’s passion for the tradition of Irish Figure dancing, Both Hannah and Zoe still dance with the group and are fantastic role models to all the younger members.

“All the dancers, who were wearing all black, walked in, some very excited, some nervous, not knowing what to expect, and all keeping to their own little groups and classes. We did some warm up exercises with them as we do at all our classes, and put some music on and asked them to do their 1,2,3’,” says Caroline.

“All the teachers looked at each other immediately with big smiles on our faces and said “Wow, this is going to be great”, we weren’t wrong, it has been great and continues to be. We have achieved so much already, we have had lots of experiences and have lots more planned for the rest of the year.

“In fact, we already have bookings for 2024. The dancers are all mixing really well together now in the class and outside. It is wonderful and heart warming to see all the new friendships grow among everyone involved, both dancers and teachers and even parents.

“Everyone is working really hard on getting this show ready in between our regular feis competitions. Like all of the Irish figure dancing classes affiliated with KIFDC, we are run 100% voluntary.

“We pride ourselves on our all inclusive, fun and affordable approach to keeping this tradition alive and available to the young people of Kildare and giving them the opportunities to spread their love for Irish figure dancing , where ever it brings us.

“We have had a big fundraising drive on since the start up and are blown away with the support from people. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped and supported us to date. A special mention to the parents who have all been very supportive and helpful with everything we ask.”

Caroline says the group would love to have a full house at the show which will take place on Sunday, May 7 in The Osprey Hotel Naas.

Doors will open at 5pm and the show will start at 6pm with an estimated finishing time of 8:30pm.

There will be a raffle on the night with some great prizes up for grabs. Tickets are now on sale they cost €10 each, if anyone would like to purchase tickets ,please contact Caroline or any other Kildare Irish figure dancer for information.

You can check them out on Facebook, and Instagram. The group can also be contacted via email at Kildareirishfiguredancers@gmail.com or you can message or whatsapp Caroline on 086 6067947.