Paddy and Eileen Byrne close their Dance studio In Donnybrook after 27 years of great times and memories that will stay with us forever.. Though a shock at the suddenness,,Paddy and Eileen only back fom holidays in Florida,we all knew the time was fast approaching,,the dwindleing numbers over the years, as was occurring in the dance world here in Ireland,,and the age factor etc,,finally took its toll. Sadly there was only a handfull of us there,,due to people away for the week-end etc,some not knowing they were back.so we had a very nostalgic final dance before the tea break..Two very important people who were unable to come and have worked with PADDY and Eileen over the years,,taking in the cash and making and serving the tea,running it while they were away,,were,,John Kinsella and Brendan Conlon,,John down the country and Brendan recuperating after a knee operation,, So many memories rush back, of great Christmas parties,with a live band,and hardly room to get in the door.and the entertainment by some singing,,notably,Liam Mc Donagh and Iris cooke,Shay Roche,while we had Florry playing the bag pipes,,Maura with the violin and some body else with the tin whistle,,great rivalry,for the top spot.lol Paddy and Eileen always great supporters of IBWF and DSI,,taught many of us at one time,One of the few Professionals who really loved their dancing and like George Devlin(RIP) and Kay,,joined in the social dancing with us all,,wonderful people..I still have a video of Betty kelly when we did the lessons with them,,Paddy would video ,all the dances,and give us a free copy. One special memory i will always hold dearly,,is when the famous (lol), 10 of us went for a week to Malta.Paddy and Eileen,Peter Moore and Geraldine,,Stacia,Kay,,Gerry Lynch (RIP) and wife Carmel,my dearest friend and dance companion Eleanor Mc Guirk (RIP),and myself,great craic and dancing.. THere are not many places left like that as we knew them,,except some like,Everna Corcoran,,Mel and Edith OConnor,Kay Devlin herself.etc.granted many others of more recent times.. The last five years i would consider to be the most traumatic.exciting and sad,years in dancing In Ireland. Traumatic being,,the huge upheavel in the ranks of the DSI,,ending in the famous first time ever Boycott by the top young dancers,which split them down the ranks,and the exodus which was to be the formation of IDCC, and IDC.( perhaps we could mention here,,the break away from IDSF by DSI) Sad years,, being the loss of many loved and respected people in dancing.like George Devlin,,Frank Williams,dear friends of mine personally like Eleanor McGuirk and Paul Casserly,,Gerry Lynch,and others ,off hand slip my mind.. The ending of Gleneagles Dance week,,where we all spent so many years of enjoyment with George and Kay The closure of the Ballroomdancematters web,,a great loss,to us all,,. The exciting years ,(as one door closes another opens), The IDC very much focused on the young dancers needs,,providing,,workshops,big events,Teacher Student comps,teaching many of the young dancers to get their teachers exams,and competing in some of the top world comps..and many more opportunities.. The newly formed IDPI,,which apparently have great plans for the future,,and have joined the different world bodies of dancing. Dance Elite ,who along with teaching, have a social section,,which provides both social dancers and competitors, with a wonderful venue, with beautiful music and dancing, in Corpus Christi.on a regular basis,,also Ballyfermot,,where they have the Supervised practice night,on Mon,,lessons Wed,,and pure practice for all standards,on Thurs,,A very progressive dance Elite,teach all over the country,very good at advertising.something many could learn from.. Dance Addiction in Blanchardstown,,are very similar in their progression and providing social dances etc like Dance Elite,,They both provide a great opportunity for all.. The many recently opened studios,,like Exquisite dance,,Dance Tones,Dance Talent, and many others,,also doing great work and increasing the number of young dancers everywhere. Though things dont always work out in dancing,,at least there is hope for the future,,as can be seen in recent time,,along with the new partnerships being formed by some of our top young dancers,,we cant give up hope,,,we have to believe in our youth and give them every opportunity available to them,,and above all,,encouragement... I finish this,,by thanking Paddy and Eileen for their friendship,help and fun we have had over the years and wish them much happinness in their retirement,,we will be seeing them still at some of the comps..cheers ntt. . .
Posted on: Sat, 31 May 2014 10:29:18 +0000
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