Irish Dancing World Champions Mind Coach - tools for life

From the bright lights of New York to the arid desert of Las Vegas, West Belfast native Sean Connolly is a man in demand across America.

The 43-year-old, a specialist in maximum performance enhancement and confidence building, has been utilized by Irish dancing and sports troupes the length and breadth of the US and Canada.

Over the past five years the father of four has worked with some of the best dancers in the world Amateur and Professional, delivering incredible results in their personal performance in the process.

It seems there is an enormous appetite for Sean’s methods to enhance performance across the Atlantic and his Diary for 2011 is already filling up with speaking engagements, sports and dancing workshops. Also a public speaker at corporate events Sean has been requested

As a guest speaker for the Irish Businesses of New York.

However, it’s not simply medals or titles Sean adopts as a barometer for success, there is much more to his unique philosophy.

“In my opinion the workshops are all about making individuals feel like champions rather than simply being champions. Titles come and go but if you feel like a champion in your everyday life then that is the most important thing. When you feel like a champion you will think, behave and perform like one, and when you perform like a champion you will tend to become just that.”

I have worked all over the US and Canada and the teachers are always surprised at the performance results I get. This is because a lot of Athletes and performers put up roadblocks in their minds unintentionally at a sub conscious level, which are equivalent to driving a car with the handbrake on.”

Having worked closely with Irish dancers of all abilities, Sean has developed a reverence for their talent and dedication.

“Before I ever worked with Irish dancers I would have associated them with wigs, make-up and dresses now I would put them up there with professional athletes,” admitted the former boxer and Martial arts teacher.

“They train two to three hours a day. They are so disciplined. I have watched dancers perform with broken bones and torn ligaments in their feet and ankles through immense pain. It’s incredible. They also travel to compete all over the world at competitions where you can start at 8.30am and then have to wait to perform at 5.00pm then 12.00pm, mentally draining for anyone.

The teachers within the art who are all former competitors seem to take those resources and put them into their business lives, they are very sharp self-driven individuals who are very competitive and result based. If I was not delivering results they would have scraped me long ago.”

It’s not just dancers who have benefited from Sean’s ‘Tools for Life Program.’

Only last weekend 35-year-old Ciaran Healy landed the Irish light-heavyweight title in Castle bar, Mayo following a thrilling fifth round knockout of the highly fancied John Waldron.

While Ciaran’s physical preparations were better than ever, thanks to his coaches Gerard McCafferty and Alec Doherty, his mental approach was fine-tuned by Sean’s methods to enhance physical strength through the sub conscious mind.

Cage fighters, professional golfers and athletes have also benefited from Sean’s recipe for success.

“These people spend thousand of hours mastering their skills I cannot give anyone the benefits of human practice, but the greatest athletes and artists in the world all seem to underperform when it matters most or magically become ill or injured before a big event. I eradicate this negative pattern in the immune system.

This is where I come into the equation. I specialize in parts of the human mind that control all the functions in the body and also control the emotional center in the brain. It is not sports psychology; America has the top sports psychologists in the world, so why do they go to the bother of bringing me over?”

Sean was recently filmed for a TV series made in California about martial arts around the world, which also featured the legendary cage fighter Tito Ortiz. After reading Sean’s statement about breaking any professional athletes strength or speed record, the producer set up a professional cage fighter where Sean had to smash his strength record on film. He produced this in one session, breaking his maximum lift by 22lb!

Sean’s basic level methods where first witnessed alongside Stephen Nolan on the BBC1 program ‘Mission Employable’ which set out to change the career prospects of six unemployed young people.

“People put limits on themselves and what they can achieve. But every human is born with a success strategy. If you weren’t you couldn’t even walk or talk. Everybody is successful it is just a matter of your own self-perception. Beliefs actually control your life at a very deep level are very powerful to the mind but they can also limit one’s growth, the frightening part is that most of your beliefs are not even your own.”

The local boy made good has travelled a varied path and is an expert in traditional Thai massage, Kinesiology, Chinese medical practices, sports rehabilitation and professional hypnosis with NLP and Advanced medical hypnotherapy.

Next on the agenda is the publication of his book ‘The P’s of Success’, which will be available in the New Year.

Sean is also embarking on a play based around the up and downs of life’s journey which is in the pipeline for 2011.

“I’m excited about the book coming out. It’s based on a strategy for human achievement that we are all born with but as we become older we forget it and look to others for the so-called “Secrets”

The play will be an emotional roller coaster. It tells the story of traveling through life in the eyes of a dancer.”

My work has become a driving force in my life now and I will continue to travel to those people who recognize its benefits for themselves and their children’s future.

For further information on Sean and his work visit www.seanconnolly.info

An Interview with Sean Connolly - Irish Dancing World Champions Mind Coach

His Biography, His Honesty And His Vision

Where did you grow up and what childhood memories do you treasure?

I grew up in West Belfast with my 2 brothers and one sister. My childhood memories to be honest are all happy, of course the troubles where in full motion but we thought that was normal and you just got on with life. Our house was on a bend which made our garden the biggest in the street and we spent a lot of time in that garden with our friends.

My strongest memory of home was my Mum always baking, bread, pancakes and apple pie. She was brought up on a small farmhouse between the village of Carnlough and Ballamena in county Antrim by my grandmother Elizabeth Mc Cambridge/Mc auley. The little house is still standing derelict in a field with no road in or out. It is one room down stairs and 2 little bedrooms above and they kept a pig in the kitchen,lol. My Grandfather worked as a sailor deep sea and died after an accident on a ship leaving my grandmother with a small farm and 6 children to rare by herself. For extra money she cleaned and prepared the dead for burial.

My grandmother was the strongest person I ever met in my life, physically and mentally, she was also one of the funniest a real character. I always spent the 8 weeks of my summer holidays staying with her and working on my granddad’s brother’s farm my great uncle Jimmy. He had no electricity or running water on the farm and he made his own bread and butter, and if you wanted milk it was straight from the cow. He never married and owned land as far as the eye could see. His passion was music and he played as well as taught all the traditional Irish instruments. After the work was all done at night he would get the fiddle or pipes out and my cousin Charlie would play the accordion. Then it was on your knees while he led in saying the rosary. Charlie would always make faces at me to make me laugh and Jimmy would cuff my ears,lol When I wasn’t on the farm I would be on the beach with my friends.

What about your dad?

Most of the memories of my Dad were how he would sleep all morning and got out of bed in the afternoon for his dinner then to work his night shift at the post office. He always worked extra hours and stayed on night shift because it paid more money so he could pay the bills. Saturday mornings were fun because he always went to the bar before he came home drunk then he would wrestle with us, sing a couple of songs and then tap dance in the kitchen before going to sleep. My Dad is 73 now and still songs with a beer but his Freddie Astair days are gone. He was brought up in north Belfast on the New Lodge Road. His mum was Bridget Connolly and his Dad was John Connolly from Rostrevor, County Down. A fluent Gaelic speaker who fiddled and danced the hornpipe. My Granddad Connolly was blown up when the Germans bombed Belfast in the World War II. My Dad was sent to the countryside with his mum and brothers, which saved them during the Blitz.

Where did you go to school and what was that like for a young boy in Belfast?

My memories of school I would say would have to be mixed. I loved the fun in the yard at break time but the classroom had become a place of discomfort and confusion mixed with a feeling of fear of failure. Two teachers programmed me for this association in class and I can say with my hand on my heart that it hindered my progress. A child must always learn in comfort and even with an element of fun involved. Stress suppresses every system in the body.

My secondary school is definitely where I left my childish life behind. Even the walk to school would regularly be interrupted by British soldiers stopping us and emptying our books on the street and taking details. The first day was mostly fistfights to separate the weak from the strong and there was also a large element of bullying from older boys if you were not lucky enough to have older relations in the school to protect you. If you were different in any way from others you were picked on, and I had signs of a small dark mustache at 13 which was the butt of many jokes and slaps around the head by older bullies. Suddenly the priority was self-protection. I joined the after school Judo club only to find out the two idiots taking the class were in fact the bullies when the head coach was not there. One of them made life hell for me.

Why and when did you get into boxing?

After two bad beatings from older boys, one that fractured my cheekbone, I got together with some friends and went to the local boxing club Oliver Plunkett, which was run by Patsy Mc Alister. Patsy’s dad was a famous boxer who fought all over the USA and was a friend of the great Sonny Liston who Muhammad Ali took the title. He fought under the name of Patsy Quinn. When Sonny was in Ireland he visited Patsy senior for dinner at his home and was surprised to be sitting at dinner with 15 kids! Contraception in those days was to sleep in another house at night.

Around 15 of us turned up at the club and Patsy put us in for a good pasting with a senior boy to sort out who would stay. The frustration of the beating and not being able to hit the boy back just made me more determined to stay for revenge, I was sick of bullies, I was going to be strong and hard no matter what.

I boxed on and off for 12 yrs and went on to coach. They were times of great fun, fear, hardship and making great friends. By this time I had been convinced that I was not academic and it was more important to be tough because life was full of bullies, which it is certainly not the case now.

Did boxing keep you off the streets and out of trouble?

Although I was never involved in any paramilitaries, we all rioted against the police and British army for a buzz, everyone did, you made your own fun. My school was beside an army barracks and every lunchtime we would throw bricks and bottles at the Army for a chase, if you were lucky they would shoot some plastic baton rounds. These could make good money off American tourists. Some of my friends ended up in Jail, either for paramilitary organized activity or robbery and theft, some died through drugs in London, suicide, and some went on to be Doctors, Lawyers and successful Business owners and a few joined the Foreign Legion. Declan was a sniper, his brother Mickey was in the Seals and Paul became a Sergeant. All 3 of them have made a career from that type of work and are in Afghanistan today. You see it all has to do with how we are programmed as children. Some people get involved with trouble for excitement and others accept it as the world they live in day to day. Some believe they will be Doctors or Lawyers simply because one or both of their parents are and some believe they will never be any good because they are told so by those around them. I never seen a difference in anyone I met as my Mum always brought us up to see the good in people. Its funny when I think back none of my friends ever asked me to join any organizations or get involved with anything illegal. I also have to thank my life in sport for that. As my grandmother used to say, “ If you lie down with the dogs you will get up with fleas.” Most of my days involved sport and when I stood at the corner with the gang at nights most of them would be drinking or playing cards, while I sipped on a coca cola.

Where did life take you after school?

After my boxing career I worked as a postman where I befriended a man called Michael Crawford. Michael had a degree in Politics and was an Irish language teacher. Having a beer one night after work he asked me if I wanted to learn to speak Irish. I told him I couldn’t. “Why” he asked? “ Because I am stupid,” I replied. This was my honest belief at the time and I had never questioned it before. Why would I? The so-called experts in my life had told me verbally and non-verbally.

I remember Michael getting very angry and shouting at me “who told you that crap? No one is stupid!” He then preceded the rest of the night to break down and replace that negative belief. I remember that incident very vividly and I always remind Michael that he changed my life that day. Not long after that Michael started delivering Chinese take away after work for extra money. One night he asked his Dad to cover his shift for him and while delivering to a call out the UVF walked out and shot his dad dead. This was a regular occurrence at the time. Taxi drivers were also easy targets for loyalist paramilitaries, doormen or anyone walking about in a Catholic area. If a car stopped for directions or slowed down you had to keep a sixth sense about you. Michael still lives in Belfast and is an avid Celtic supporter as well as a criminal Lawyer. He still teaches the Irish language and speaks German and Spanish also. One thing the Boxing gave us during the troubles was friends in the protestant community. Boxing was never sectarian like soccer. You could go to any part of Belfast to box during the troubles and nothing was said. I think because it is a hard game where you earn your respect, the respect was real for each other.

How did you transition from regular boxing into Thai Boxing?

Around this time I was training in Thai boxing and had hurt my shoulder. One of the class members told me to call up to where he was training people in Thai Massage therapy and he would have a look at it. When I called in he encouraged me to take part in the workshop and that was it, I was hooked. Everyday I would practice on anyone I could get my hands on. I became obsessed with it and became very good with practice.

Who was your mentor and guided you scholastically back to College?

A Doctor who I befriended on the course told me that I should really go back to college and learn anatomy and physiology. Being eager for knowledge I did just that. After completing a diploma in anatomy, physiology and massage, I went on to complete diplomas in sports injury management and rehabilitation, acupressure, Chinese physiotherapy, chi gung and applied kinesiology. I flew through it all and it was easy because I loved it. I still wanted more knowledge and knew there had to be more.

How did you get involved with the Singapore, Fire Walking Festival in Asia?

The kinesiology introduced me into how the mind could affect the body and I had also started travelling to London to practice an old system of Kung Fu, which trained one to reduce pain by using the mind. It was around this time I was invited by one of my seniors to travel to Singapore and take part in one of the toughest fire walking festivals in Asia. I had to get soaked down with a hose and role in grit then roll a quarter of a mile with my arms above my head so that the grit would stick into me like thorns on the tiled temple floor. The next night there was no sleep as we waited for the fire to be lit at the Mariamam temple. A gravel pit 20 foot long and 2 and a half-foot deep with 5000 burning compressed hardwood logs. We had to walk 6 miles in the mid day sun around all the temples and church’s over the black tiled pavements which felt like hot plates. I even witnessed some locals taking lifts. My feet blistered badly and most of the skin had come off my left foot before I even walked on the fire. I had to be helped to my feet to enter the temple to walk on the fire, totally exhausted and in pain. The heat blew off it like a furnace as Indian men on both sides with sheets soaked in water raked the barbequed wood.

I remember thinking I am doing this even if it kills me, total abandonment, and I knew if I didn’t do it I would regret it the rest of my life. This fire is intense, it is not like those corporate fires walking gimmicks every Tom Dick and Harry takes part in. A lot of Indians backed out when it came to face it and the previous year a man fell on it and had to be rushed to hospital, it is unstable and deep. After the first two steps my brain wanted to shut down and I had to fight it. When I got to the end I was relieved and thought thank God that’s over.

Suddenly I could feel the heat of the fire running up the bones in my legs to the top of my thighs like two blowtorches. “What’s happening?” I shouted to an Indian man beside me. He said this was good as God was cleansing me of my sins. I remember wishing I could leave my body, I had enough, there were many ambulances outside but my group would not let me go to them but instead made me walk a mile to my lift, a pickup truck. The Indians got into the back and I sat in the front with the driver where I occasionally banged my head off his dashboard with pain. I started going into convulsions about 2 hrs later and was given a tablet to knock me out. In the morning I awoke with no pain or burns for that matter. The Singapore Hindu papers had printed the next day a westerner walks on the fire for Shakti for the first time in its history from 1848. I was proud of this as in my head I was representing the Irish.

How did people receive you when you went home?

When I got home a lot of people kept asking me how I could endure so much pain, but to me it was only a day. You get used to pain, I have broken ribs twice sparring heavy weight cage fighters, fractured my nose and check bone, dislocated shoulders, thumbs and broke most of my toes, I also chopped off the top of my index finger, but a lot of people have had worse. I watched my children being born, and I don’t know any man that would go through that.

Real pain is a parent watching a child slip away everyday in the hospital or not being loved by abusive parents. What I did in Singapore we can all do, we are no different really. It only lasted a day.

Most people want to hide a family crisis, but you endured, you have shared your experiences good and sad to try to help others. What triggered this inspiration?

When the year 2000 came in I was manager of the royal mail fitness suite and running a sports injury clinic. I was healthy and so was my family. Then on April my office phone rang and my wife was on the other end, she told me that I better get home quick as my youngest brother Gary was in my Mums back garden where he had hung himself. The journey of five miles to my mum’s seemed like 500 miles.

When I arrived at the house it was full of neighbors and the police where in the back garden below the tree. My Mum lives for gardening and she has produced many beautiful gardens from an old piece of flat land, which was full of rocks, separating each other with trees, hedges and flowers.

Gary had jumped off the tree from about 20 foot in the air with a rope thinner than my little finger around his neck. The rope had come undone over night and he had fallen in a red rose bush behind the tree sitting propped up as if he was just sleeping. To me he just looked like a sleeping baby. I cried and an anger raged inside me, I wanted to kill God for taking my little brother, I felt so desperate and helpless, if I could have cut my beating heart out to put it in his chest I would not have gave it a second thought. In the middle of my anger I heard someone screaming and turned to see my dad and older brother holding my mum back from seeing Gary. She fought and struggled with them, then eventually broke down and collapsed with no life left in her shouting “I want to see my baby!” Something died in her that day.

My mum had to be sedated and on the day of the funeral had to be lifted from her bed. I thought she was dying from a broken heart. My brother Gary’s nick name was smiler and he was always the life and sole of the party, he had more friends than anyone I knew and had represented Northern Ireland in Gymnastics as well as that he was a keen hurler and Gaelic footballer. If you were feeling down or had a bad day and you seen him approaching you with that big cheesy grin you just laughed. All the guys that lived and drank on the street even knew him as he would always gave them cigarettes and call on him in his little shop he of course would let them stand in out of the rain. Everyone was in shock and a lot of my family went into depression after this. I took time off to help and be the strong one not taking time to grieve.

Everyone was looking for answers and even blaming himself or herself for not knowing this was coming. It is very common after a suicide in a family for people to blame themselves because not many people know the symptoms or the severity of real depression and they feel as though they should have known something or did something more to help the person who has died. There is also an element of shame because the Catholic Church preached for years it was a mortal sin. Now that there is an epidemic of suicides in Ireland they have changed their way of thinking. I began my own research into depression. I wanted to know why Doctors, councilors and psychiatrist where not getting results at dealing with depression. I found out after how my brother had requested to be taken into hospital but was giving sleeping tablets on two occasions and after speaking to others about how they lost loved ones after seeing psychiatrists in our local hospital who did not take their symptoms seriously enough. Symptom diagnosis and drug prescription is not the answer, especially for children.

How did you handle all this, did you have the strength to move on?

I decided to focus on happier things like our new baby arriving and quietly hoped it would be a boy to name him Gary. It turned out to be a girl, whom we named Holly, however she was tragically born dead.

I returned to work and had a relapse of neurotic depression (feelings of disassociating, irrational thoughts and weeping for no reason). I had seen the work doctor who told me to take time off. I was then referred to a psychiatrist who made me feel ten times worse. He kept repeating to me “ Do you know that your brother was very selfish, this was a selfish act” I wanted to punch this idiot right in the mouth. The same man dealt with a friend’s mother and she took her own life, and there were others. Let me point something out here for any one reading this from the medical society. A selfish act is a conscious act. You consciously work it out for some sort of self-pleasure. Your conscious everyday mind is rational; it does not take part in irrational behavior unless you are intoxicated on alcohol or drugs. If I asked you to put a needle in your finger now you would not do it because you analyze that it will cause pain. The highest human intention is safety and survival. SO, if someone is having irrational thoughts about self-harm or suicide, why the hell are you looking in the rational mind for irrational behavior? Your rational mind cannot control your emotions.

This man also nearly pushed me over the edge as he sent a letter to my employers of 18 years and informed them that he could not find anything wrong with me other than he thought I did not like my job. I was dismissed, lost my redundancy money and they then froze my pension. What a result!! This man is still working in the national service and still telling his patience the same rubbish.

So in the period of 1 year I had lost my brother, my job and a child, but hey, according to the psychiatrist I was fine, so why worry?

The Irish say, thing happen in Three’s. When and where did you find your inner chore to pick yourself up and get back to life and living?

I had started dealing with my own depression and anger through alcohol and anything else that would numb me up. After a while I hit rock bottom, and one morning I woke up on a street in the town not remembering how I got there. This was it, I had children and a wife to think about and I did not like what I was turning in to.

Did you get your head back into studying again?

I got my head down and studied the mind, both sides. I also through myself back into my martial arts. I received diplomas in professional hypnotherapy with Neuro linguistic programming and went on to complete an advanced diploma in Medical hypnosis, which is specific for boosting the immune system as well as causing non-drug analgesia and anesthesia.

Did working with the local community help your healing process as well?

I began working in the local community with my knowledge of therapies, which covered the mental, physical and nutritional side of health. Working on the ground with ex prisoners and their families, kids in deprived areas and in young institution centers and also in sports as well as continuing my studies and progressing deeper into my own work. Gradually I noticed the importance of the emotional side of health being more important than the physical and nutritional and my passion grew in that direction.

I started receiving requests to take my work into corporate business’s and Universities and would even see Consultants on a regular basis for stress or confidence building. From this came requests for public speaking at AGMs for the Audit office, the institute of charted accountants and I shared a platform last year with the director of Disney at a conference for the chartered institute for public finance. I also starred in a six part TV series for BBC1 Northern Ireland where I had to take 6 long term unemployed people who had issues and build them up to get back into employment.

When did you start working with Irish Step Dancers?

I had always worked closely with the Irish dancers in Belfast treating injuries and balancing their muscles before an event. I noticed that before an event high levels of stress would make them ill or injured, so I began applying my emotional work with them. This had the effect of not only lifting their performance both strengthened their body making them jump higher and lifting their endurance levels. One to ones eventually became groups and with the results I was getting with dancers the word quickly spread now I have been sharing my knowledge all over the UK, Ireland the USA and Canada. I have been privileged to see behind the scenes in the world of Irish dancing and like most have become addicted to the music and the passion expressed, there is something magical about it. They train like professionals and are more determined and dedicated than most other sports I work with. Most of the teachers have been dancing from aged 5, go on from amateur to professional then go on to teach full time and travel around the world with their students competing, as well as keeping a family. They are sharp and self-driven. I had a real passion about what they did and wanted to be part of it and help.

I realized that if I could make these great athletes jump higher and further I could make a runner run faster, a boxer hit harder and a weight lifter up his maximum. So I went on to do this and have been doing this for 8 years in a mixture of sports professional boxing, cage fighters, runners, rally drivers, swimmers but I love working with the dancers, it does not matter at what level you are at or what sport you are in I can improve on your performance. It does not matter if you are an NBA super star already I can improve what you do. I specialize with dancers simply because I have worked mostly with dancers from beginners to multiple world champions and professionals. I have worked with Over 2000 Irish dancers and Ballet schools have requested me lately.

Tell us something about your film documentary?

I was filmed recently for a 12-week series on martial arts made in California by Anaconda productions. The producer actually phoned my home and told me he thought that was a bold statement that I had made on my web site. Well the proof is in the pudding I told him. So Arne Freeman organized a film crew in Northern Ireland and I had to take a professional cage fighter and help him break his strength record. You can view it on my website.

When will your book be published?

I am putting the finishing touches to my first book, which will be printed shortly. It is a book that will remind you of the greatest success strategy that has ever been used. We have all used this strategy to master thousands of skills that we take for granted. My little book will be a reminder for you so that you can read it and teach it in your children. I have also started to investigate the option of putting my program into a musical play which I am very excited about.

Can you sum up your dream, visions and expectations?

I have always done my best in my work and will continue to do so. You, me, and all of us must continue to grow in life, because if something has stopped growing it has to be dying, and we are no different. Sure life will still kick us now and then, but that is life. The only people with no problems I know are in the cemetery. So the more problems you have the more alive you are.

I dream of my Tools for Life program being part of every child’s studies in school and a play they can take part in to learn to love themselves and be the best that they can be in life, their best not other peoples best.

I have got to a stage in my own life where I am completely at ease with myself, I look up to no one, nor do I look down on anyone. I have a passion for life and I appreciate my family and friends. I feel privileged to be able to share my work and help change the direction in young people’s lives. I learn something from everyone I meet and I still have a hunger for knowledge. I don’t think we are all great, I know it, my job is to make you feel it, then you will believe it for feeling is believing.

You can tell a child that they are great but they will not believe you until they feel it. You can also tell people to say affirmations everyday like “I am thin” or I love myself” but they will feel like a hypocrite. Because they are describing something they do not feel and the analytical mind will interfere.

Now let me explain something very important here. If you are faced with a challenge in life, whatever that is, a competition, exams, an interview or having to overcome an illness or grab a massive opportunity in life that comes along. Right away you will have a feeling that will make you feel small and helpless or you will feel confident and strong. If that challenge seems very big and you cannot change it, then you can only make it seem smaller by making yourself a bigger person.

I don’t know about you but I want my children to be confident and happy in life as well as being able to cope with adversity and change when I am gone.

My Tools for life program teaches children and young adults the origin of self-confidence in all situations in life, how to create a real self-esteem and true self-motivation as well as how to deal with life’s obstacles, internal and external. And most importantly, never look up to anyone in this life, respect them, but if you always look up to others you will always feel beneath them. Bob Hope or the Pope, James Dean or the queen, I don’t give a dam, I am as good as any of them and so are you.

I have a powerful message for the Irish, American and all people, but I am only one person and I may never meet every one of you reading this, but I hope you can read my work some day or get to see my play.

Knowing I have left something valuable to others in this world I will be a happy man when I am 6 foot under pushing up the daisies.

For further information on Sean and his work visit www.seanconnolly.info

Read - Sing - Dance - SEE VIDEO

As Christmas is approaching and old and new traditions are celebrated, the Irish tradition of story telling and reading special Holiday stories are part of some great memories. My family always sat around the Christmas tree singing songs, my parents, Aunt and Uncle, were full of character telling us stories of Christmas in Ireland, all the children would entertain in song, music and dance….Great times….Great memories.

Michael Sheahan has produced his first StoryBook/CD/DVD. This classic new Christmas story brings families together in the ultimate reading, singing and dancing experience.

For millions of people around the world, the love of reading was born with a Christmas story. Who can forget the first time we read—or had read to us—Dickens’ A Christmas Carol or ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas or one of the other classic stories that bring the season magically alive? At the same time, who can forget the delight we feel while singing Christmas songs and watching holiday galas featuring wondrous dances?

That’s the all-in-one idea behind the ultimate new Christmas package, Mr. Holidays Presents The Roof Top Hop. Through the merry character of Mr. Holidays, award-winning singer-songwriter Michael Sheahan tells children an instantly classic new Christmas story , performs the title song on a sing-along CD and has his friend, Broadway’s own Michael Balderrama of the hit Broadway show, In the Heights, show kids the new roof-top-hop dance steps.

Lavishly illustrated by Douglas Wright, Mr. Holidays Presents The Roof Top Hop storybook/CD/DVD package invites young readers to read, sing, and dance as they share a never-before-revealed secret about Santa. As Michael Sheahan proclaims, its “hip-hop . . . be-bop . . . rock n’ roll . . . that brings joy and happiness to every soul.”

Michael Sheahan, a first generation Irish American and a retired NYPD detective, is an accomplished singer, songwriter, and musician. His love of celebrating the holidays with his mom from Co. Longford, dad from Co. Kerry, wife, from Co. Galway, three sons, brother, sister, brother in-law from Co. Tyrone and nephew inspired him to create the character Mr. Holidays, along with an entire series of characters, songs, books, and dances that cherish the values, warmth, and traditions of each holiday. Mr. Holidays Presents The Roof Top Hop is the result of the collaboration of Finest Music, Finest Media, and Fine St. Records. Creatively working together, they provide this first book, CD, and DVD released as an all-in-one product by Finest Books.

Mr. Holidays presents The Roof Top Hop is available in Barnes and Nobles and other fine bookstores and can also be ordered on www.MrHolidaysSongs.com

Up & Over It a YouTube Sensation appear on the 'Rachael Ray Show' - SEE VIDEOS

Millions have seen their video on YouTube, now the "Hand Dancers", Up & Over It are bringing their act to Rach's kitchen table - literally!

Catch them on the "Rachael Ray Show" for a bit of brand new handograpahy - 'citing!

Fed up of the same old Irish Dance shtick? Bored of the velvet-clad, tin-whistling-blowing, diddly-idleness? Ever dreamed of a place where two seasoned professional Irish Dancers mix it up with electro-pop, nouveau folk and video?

Then look no further...A collaboration between Suzanne Cleary, Peter Harding and Jonny Reed, Up & Over it aims to stretch the concept of Irish Dance to its limits.

A Great Big Congratulations to Suzanne Cleary, Peter Harding and Director Jonny Reed

More than 3 million people have seen Up & Over It’s brilliant YouTube sensation “We No Speak Americano.”


Who are Up & Over It?

Up & Over It is Suzanne Cleary, Peter Harding (performers and choreographers), and Jonny Reed (creative director and video artist).

Peter and Suzanne choreographed and shot a McDonald’s advert, which is really exciting.


“We No Speak Americano” has gotten 3 million hits on YouTube.



Now at over 3.2 million hits on YouTube, the video has been seen on TV in the U.S., Germany, Australia, India, and France, and they are just the ones we know about.

They like to use music that they enjoy listening to and inspires them to dance — that’s why there’s a lot of electro-pop in their work! Sometimes you stumble across something and immediately want to come up with a concept for it; other times you’re working on a piece and have to really dig to find the right piece of music.

They want to play with people’s perceptions and misconceptions of Irish dance by commenting on issues that are relevant today. They want to offer a broad experience and create work that is entertaining and challenging. The work is inspired by video art, pop music, contemporary art, and dance. The post-pop generation is those who are too old to be fanatics but too young to be connoisseurs. We appreciate art, but it must be fun.

For more info visit upandoverit.com

Irish Dance Teachers of North America 2010 scholarship winners

The Irish Dance Teacher's Association of North American is proud of the accomplishments of all dancers not only competitively and artistically, but also academically. To recognize the accomplishments of these dancers who excel in the classroom and in the dance studio, the IDTANA is proud to offer $20,000 annually in scholarships for high school senior students, and those students who are already attending college. The Scholarship winners were announced this week at the North American Irish Dance Championships.

        (a) for high school seniors graduating in Spring, 2011 and planning to attend a four-year undergraduate college or university, and

        (b) for students enrolled in a four-year undergraduate college program who will still be enrolled as an undergraduate in a four-year undergraduate college or university during the 11-12 school year.

        Winners will be announced in mid-June with scholarships to be presented at the 2011 North American Championships in Nashville, TN, in July 2011.
The deadline to submit initial applications (PDF) or (WORD) is December 22, 2010.

    The IDTANA Scholarship Committee is comprised of a representative from each of the seven regions in North America. Under the guidance of Russell Beaton ADCRG, who is beginning his thirty-eighth year with the Frederick County (Maryland) Public School System where he is the Curriculum Specialist for Visual and Performing Arts - theIDTANA Scholarship Committee works diligently in identifying the scholarship recipients from the application and essay process.

2010 Winners

Students Already Enrolled in Four-Year College

$2,000 Scholarship winner

Bryn Carroll
Lansdale, PA
Coyle School of Irish Dance
Attends: Johns Hopkins University
Major: Public Health (Pre-med)

$1,000 scholarship winners

Shannon Cantwell
Fairhope, AL
Drake School of Irish Dance
Attends Furman University
Majors: Economics/Political Science

Charles Walck
Black River, NY
Johnston School of Irish Dance
Attends: Syracuse University
Major: Mechanical Engineering

$750 scholarship winner

Hanna Smyth
Richmond, British Columbia
Nora Pickett Irish Dance Academy
Attends: The University of British Columbia
Major: History

Students Entering a Four-Year College $2,000 scholarship winner

Caitlin Cavanaugh
Virginia Beach, VA
An Cor Rud School of Irish Dance
Plans to attend: The College of William and Mary
Proposed Major: Psychology/Biology

$1,000 scholarship winners
Patrice Lawless
Syracuse, NY
The Boland School of Irish Dance
Plans to attend: Cornell University
Proposed Major: Undecided

Emily Lingeman
Brookfield, WI
Trinity Academy of Irish Dance
Plans to attend: The University of Wisconsin at Madison
Proposed Major: Undecided

Eileen O’Brien
Millbury, MA
The McInerney School of Irish Dance
Plans to attend: The College of the Holy Cross
Proposed Major: Psychology

$750 scholarship winners

Miranda Culley
Cincinnati, OH
McGing Irish Dancers
Plans to attend: Case Western Reserve University
Proposed Majors: Chemistry/Classics

Sarah Donovan
Shrewsbury, MA
The McInerney School of Irish Dance
Plans to attend: Boston University
Proposed Major: Chemistry

Erin Jefferson
Leawood, KS
O’Riada Academy of Irish Dance
Plans to attend: The University of Michigan
Proposed Major: Business

Colleen Ross
Bloomfield Hills, MI
The Tim O’Hare School of Irish Dance
Plans to attend: Marquette University
Proposed Major: International Relations

Kelsey Ryan
Cincinnati, OH
McGing Irish Dancers
Plans to attend: The University of Notre Dame
Proposed Major: Chemical Engineering

Elizabeth Siewert
Elm Grove, WI
Glencastle Irish Dancers
Plans to attend; The University of Minnesota (Twin Cities)
Proposed Major: Elementary Educationaniel Walsh
Fayetteville, GA
Drake School of Irish Dance
Plans to attend: Georgia Institute of Technology
Proposed Major: International Affairs and Economics

$500 scholarship winners

Hilary Gorgol
Londonderry, NH
Cunniffe Academy of Irish Dance
Plans to attend: St, Anselm College
Proposed Major: Nursing

Celina Hawkins
Ottawa, Ontario
Sue Fay Healy School of Irish Dance
Plans to attend: Wilfred Laurier University
Proposed Major: Honours Bachelor of Music (oboe performance)

Erin Hoover
Orchard Park, NY
Clann na Cara Irish Dance
Plans to attend: Boston College
Proposed Major: Politcal Science

Erin Kirkland
Farmington, MI
The Tim O’Hare School of Irish Dance
Plans to attend: The University of Michigan
Proposed Major: English Language and Literature/Political Science

Meiling May
Hanover, MA
The Nevin Academy of Irish Dance
Plans to attend: The College of the Holy Cross
Proposed Major: Biology (Pre-med)

Corinne McCullough
Silver Spring, MD
The Culkin School of Traditional Irish Dance
Plans to attend: Davidson College
Proposed Major: Undecided

Carolyn McPherson
August, GA
Rince na h’Eireann
Plans to attend: The Georgia Institute of Technology
Proposed Major: Biomedical Engineering

Stephanie Miller
West Chester, PA
The Campbell Academy of Irish Dance
Plans to attend: The University of Pittsburgh
Proposed Major: Undecided

Megann Mussatti
Franklin, MI
Glencastle Irish Dancers
Plans to attend: The University of Wisconsin at Madison
Proposed Major: Undecided

Ellen O’Leary
Boxford, MA
The Dunleavy-Shaffer School of Irish Dance
Plans to attend: Harvard University
Proposed Major: English

Caroline Williams
Westfield, NJ
The Marie Moore School of Irish Dance
Plans to attend: Columbia University
Proposed Major: Undecided

Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America

The Irish Dancing Teachers Association of North America (IDTANA) was born in March, 1964 when Mae Butler, Fedelmia Davis, Kevin McKenna, Peter Smith, Cyril McNiff and Anna O’Sullivan met at the Irish Institute in New York City. They came together with the goal of assuring teacher and adjudicator competency, as well as standardizing the ever growing number of feisanna throughout North America.

The surviving founders of the IDTANA: Anna O'Sullivan, Peter Smith, and Fidelmia Davis are still active members and were recently voted lifetime positions on the IDTANA Executive Board.

Since that small humble beginning, and through the efforts of many dedicated Irish Dance Teachers throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, the IDTANA has grown now to nearly 650 members - with over 100 members in Canada, 550 members in the United States, and one member in Mexico. The IDTANA consists of seven regional branches: Mid Atlantic, Mid America, Western US, Eastern Canada, Western Canada, New England and Southern US.

The IDTANA operates in tandem with An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland. All members of the IDTANA must be registered and certified as a TMRF, TCRG or ADCRG by An Coimisiun. Additionally, North America currently has 23 voting members of An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha, which includes the 7 Regional Directors along with two elected members of each Region, the IDTANA Executive Board, and the elected North American Vice Presidents of An Coimisiun.

The emphasis of the IDTANA is to promote Irish Dance throughout North America. Through continued cooperation with the North American Feis Commission, each region regulates Feiseanna in their area with a standardized syllabus of competitions and rules.

Annually, the IDTANA sponsors the North American Irish Dance Championships during the first week of July. The "Nationals", as they have become known as, is recognized as North America's secondary qualifying event for the annual World Championships held each year around Easter and sponsored by An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha. The primary qualifying event for dancers to qualify for the World Championships is their Regional Oireachtasi held in November and December each year.

2011 IDTANA SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

The Irish Dance Teacher's Association of North American is proud of the accomplishments of all dancers not only competitively and artistically, but also academically. To recognize the accomplishments of dancers who excel in the classroom and in the dance studio, the IDTANA is proud to offer academic scholarships:

(a) for high school seniors graduating in Spring, 2011 and planning to attend a four-year undergraduate college or university, and

(b) for students enrolled in a four-year undergraduate college program who will still be enrolled as an undergraduate in a four-year undergraduate college or university during the 11-12 school year.

Winners will be announced in mid-June with scholarships to be presented at the 2011 North American Championships in Nashville, TN, in July 2011.

The deadline to submit initial applications (PDF) or (WORD) is December 22, 2010.

'America's Got Talent' audition details revealed

NBC's “America's Got Talent” are the only show open to any age and any talent.

Auditions in New York City are next up. They also just opened up pre-registration in the other cities.

This is a great opportunity for our talented Irish dancers, musicians, singers and artist.

Good luck to all of you.

What can you do in 90 seconds?

Go to AGTauditions.com for info.

The show heads to New York City this weekend (November 14 and 15) for auditions at the Jacob Javits Center (as previously announced).

The “America’s Got Talent” auditions are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for performers across the country and the series' producers continue to challenge potential contestants to showcase their talents in 90 seconds.

Every type of performer is welcome - this includes musicians, dance crews, magicians, contortionists, comedians, singers, jugglers, animal acts and everything in between – all of whom want to perform for America’s votes and the coveted $1 million prize.

Open to talent of any age, “America’s Got Talent” offers a unique chance for anyone who has dreamed of performing their talent on a national stage.

MEDIA CONTACT: Meredith Fitzpatrick, NBC Entertainment Publicity.
Tel: 818-777-2879. Email: Meredith.Fitzpatrick@nbcuni.com.


Visit americasgottalentauditions.com for details.

Superior skilled Irish dancers wanted

Busch Gardens Williamsburg auditions for dancers, singers, actors, technicians, stage managers, jugglers, magicians, variety artists, acrobats and costumers for live shows.

• Must be of Open Championship level preferably World Qualifier or equivalent standard.
• Previous show experience and/or a background in performing arts are highly sought.
• Please provide a full length photo and headshot.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must provide documents to verify identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.

Resume Information:

• Name, address, phone and email address.
• Height.
• Schools attended including Irish dance schools.
• Summary of most notable competition achievements.
• List of show experience.
• Availability: beginning March 1 throughout 2011.

DVD/VIDEO Requirements:

• Hard shoe - Jig and/or Hornpipe - at least 32 bars
• (Two steps, right and left). No more than 48 bars required.
• Soft shoe - Reel for boys & Reel and/or Slip Jig for girls.
• 32 bars is adequate.
• Treble Reel - Two steps, right and left.

If applicable, please include a clip of your professional Irish dance show performances. We must be able to see the full body of the dancers in the recording at all times.

• DVD’s and photos will not be returned.

Email Contact: bgwauditions@buschgardens.com

In addition to submitting a video audition, US resident applicants must complete the online employment application, click here.

Busch Gardens is an equal opportunity employer and supports a safe and drug free workplace. Applicants will be subject to drug testing and background checks.

See www.talentsearchbgw.com/irishdancer.html or www.talentsearchbgw.com for more details

Darrah Carr Dance - James Shipp's Nós Novo

Darrah Carr Dance returns to the Irish Arts Center stage with the world premiere of bold new choreography set to the remarkable sounds of James Shipp's Nós Novo - a fusion of Irish, Brazilian, and Jazz stylings. Together, these two highly innovative groups present a kaleidoscopic view of Irish dance and music that pushes the boundaries of these traditional forms. Additional highlights of the season include: a ModERIN Masterclass with the company; a post-show discussion with Artistic Director Darrah Carr and bandleader James Shipp; and a specially priced Family Show.

At first glance, Irish and modern dance seem worlds apart. Irish dancers, taught to maintain an upright posture and stick-straight arms, rarely find themselves practicingcontractions and tilts. However, if you catch Darrah Carr Dance's upcoming NYC season,you might see Irish dancers doing just that!

Carr bridges the gap between the two genres with her signature "ModERIN" style. Made up of dancers with a diverse array of backgrounds, the company performs everything from edgy ModERIN fusion pieces to  traditional Irish duets.

Darrah Carr Dance www.darrahcarrdance.com

New Zealand Irish Dancing Nationals 2010 - Results and Video

The Irish Dancing community in New Zealand is small but very dedicated with numerous World Championship medal holders and recallers who regularly make the journey across the ocean to Feisanna in Australia, America and Europe. Irish dancing has become popular worldwide and in New Zealand there has never been such a demand to learn the intricacies and skills of hornpipes, reels and jigs.

The New Zealand Irish dancing schools are of a very high standard with professional teachers bringing their pupils up to a standard where many can compete with confidence and distinction in the annual World Championships in Ireland.

Situated deep in the southern hemisphere, There are multifarious events with Irish connections and connotations held weekly, monthly and annually. Some are major happenings attracting hundreds of spectators and participants, others are small homely affairs where strange faces are few but nonetheless welcome.


Did you know? -

"In the eighteen hundreds, the North Island of New Zealand was known as New Ulster, the South as New Leinster and Stewart Island as New Munster."

The 2010 New Zealand Championships are the only World Championship Qualifying event and took place October 6th - 8th in Wellington.

The 2010 New Zealand Championships are over for another year



Special Congratulations to the 2010 Scholarship Winners:

Lachlan Cassidy-Rowse, Kildunne, Wellington
Ashleigh John, Doyle Academy, Auckland

2010 TIDA NZ Championships

Southwards Theatre, Otaihanga Road, Paraparaumu

Adjudicators:
Mona Ni Rodaigh Ui Lionnain, ADCRG, Ireland

Darren Maguire, ADCRG, USA/London

Patricia Kennelly, ADCRG, USA

Musican:

Chris McGory, USA

(WQ = World Qualifier)

Girls Under 7
(The Kelly Trophy, Donated by the Kelly Family)

1st Hannah Lowry, O’Neill

2nd Keely O’Grady, Kerry

3rd Clare Giles, Kildunne

4th Elizabeth Sullivan, Kildunne

5th Amelia Coyle, Kay-Hallissey

6th Ruby Christensen-Walden, Kildunne


Girls Under 8
(The Rose of Tralee Trophy, Donated by Patricia Kildunne-Budding ADCRG)

1st Lily Pierson, O’Neill
2nd Ruby Jane McLachlan, Kay-Hallissey

3rd Kirsten Hansen, Kay-Hallissey

4th Victoria Rose Manu, Kildunne

5th Shivani Parbhu, Kildunne

6th Kayla Horler, O’Neill

Girls Under 9
(The Corrogurm Trophy, Donated by John & Kathi Ryder)

1st Phoebe Rouse, O’Neill

2nd Ciara Walshe, Doyle

3rd Samantha Price, O’Neill

4th Ina Dempster, Doyle

5th Yasmin Kelly, Kildunne

6th Johanna Schott-Rodriguez, Kerry

7th Marion Hardwick, O’Neill

8th Harriet Teichert, Kildunne


Boys Under 9
(The Annie Doyle Memorial Trophy, Donated by The Doyle Family)

1st Harrison Bisphan, Kay-Hallissey


Girls Under 10
(The Ryder Trinity Trophy, Donated by Michelle Ryder)

1st Holly Lawson, Doyle WQ

2nd Annabelle Rouse, O’Neill WQ

3rd Shonagh Lowry, O’Neill WQ

4th Isabel Sullivan, O’Neill WQ

5th Hannah Kim, Kay-Hallissey WQ

6th Maeve Cleary, O’Neill

7th Brooklyn Riggs, Doyle

8th Molly Bentinck-Stokes, Doyle


Girls Under 11
(The O'Neill Trophy, Donated by the O'Neill School of Dance)

1st Samantha Tait, Kerry WQ

2nd Phoebe Hilliam, Kildunne WQ

3rd Olivia Ludgate, Kerry WQ

4th Shania Foon, Kildunne WQ

5th Emma Salzano, Kerry WQ

6th Jessica Patterson, Kerry

7th Bethany Petrovich, Kildunne

8th Teighan Sinclair, Kay-Hallissey

Boys 9-11
(The Antrim Trophy, Donated by The Scullion Family)

1st Liam Mooney, Doyle WQ

2nd Mitchell O’Hara, Kay-Hallissey WQ

3rd Matthew Lynch, Kerry WQ

4th Patrick Sharrow, Doyle


Girls Under 12
(The Lir Trophy. Donated by The Douglas School of Irish Dance)

1st Kuni Colleen Vidal, Kildunne WQ

2nd Olivia Dodson, Doyle WQ

3rd Nicola Prebble, Kay-Hallissey WQ

4th Georgia Christensen-Walden, Kildunne WQ

5th Vienna de Wit, O’Neill WQ

6th Rayner Clarke, Doyle

7th Mariah Unity Paine, Kildunne

8th Sophia Hogg, Kay-Hallissey

9th Whitney Burfield-Tatofi, O’Neill


Girls Under 13
(The Dublin Trophy, Donated by The Ahmed Family)

1st Hannah Shackley, O’Neill WQ

2nd Eleisha Foon, Kildunne WQ

3rd Emma Green, O’Neill WQ

4th Jessica Ludgate, Kerry WQ

5th Leisha Casy, Kildune WQ


Boys 11-13
(The Connolly Irish Dancing School Trophy, Donated by The Connolly Family)

1st Harry Bartlett, Doyle WQ

2nd Declan Weir, Doyle WQ

3rd Harry Adams, Doyle WQ


Girls Under 14
(The O'Sullivan Trophy, Donated by The O'Sullivan School of Irish Dancing)

1st Corey Bartlett, Doyle WQ

2nd Neve Saris, Kildunne WQ

3rd Chelsea Walker, O’Neill WQ

4th Crystal Espositio, O’Neill WQ

5th Sarah Trevalyan, Kay-Hallissey WQ


Girls Under 15

(The Cronin Trophy, Donated by Scoil Rince Cronin)

1st Tayla Kenyon, O’Neill WQ

2nd Abigail Warrington, Kay-Hallissey WQ

3rd Tegan Jennings, Kildunne WQ

4th Olivia Mortimer, Connolly WQ

5th Georgia Hogdson, Doyle WQ

6th Eleanor O’Toole, Kildunne

7th Grace Savage, Connolly

8th Kelsi Wallace, O’Neill



Boys 13-15
(The Kerry Trophy, Donated by Sharon Craig)

1st Lachlan Cassidy-Rowse, Kildunne WQ

2nd Patrick Hegarty, O’Neill WQ

3rd Caleb Hendry, Connolly WQ


Girls Under 16
(The Marion Catherine Diver Memorial Trophy, Donated by The Diver Family)

1st Charlotte Wright, Kildunne WQ

2nd Rachel Hamilton, O’Neill WQ

3rd = Janne Hoppe, O’Neill WQ & Milla Saris, Kildunne WQ

5th Caitlin Mahon, O’Neill WQ



Girls Under 17

(The William Murphy Memorial Trophy, Donated by Patricia Murphy)

1st = Olivia Esposito, O’Neill WQ and Olivia Masters, Doyle WQ

3rd Ciara Chester-Cronin, Connolly WQ

4th Callan Rose Greer, Kay-Hallissey WQ

5th Stephanie McGimpsey, O’Neil WQ

6th Brigid Lunberg, Kildunne


Boys 15-17
(The Ballinlough Trophy, Donated by Sean Hallissey)

1st Taylor Hann, O'Neill WQ

Ladies Under 18
(The Seaneen Copeland Trophy, Donated by Acadamh Rince na hEireann Copeland)

1st Ashleigh John, Doyle WQ

2nd Victoria Sharps, Kay-Hallissey WQ

3rd Charlotte Priestley, Doyle WQ

4th Emma Ahmed, Kay-Hallissey WQ

5th Lianna O’Connor, O’Neill WQ

Ladies Under 19
(The Tyrone Trophy, Donated by The Doran-Gregory School of Irish Dancing)

1st Kathryn Arnold, Kildunne WQ

2nd Roseanna Holmes, Kildunne WQ

3rd Tamsin Bertaud-Gandar, Kildunne WQ

4th Imogen Campbell WQ


Ladies 19-21
(The Gregan Trophy, Donated by The Gregan Sisters)

1st Rebecca Warrington, Kay-Hallissey WQ

2nd Emma Green, Kay-Hallissey WQ

3rd Johanna O’Brien, Kay-Hallissey WQ

4th Leeza Ericksen, Doyle WQ

5th Briony Larsen, Kildunne WQ

6th = Tara Ahmed, Kay-Hallissey WQ & Erin Saunders, Kay-Hallissey WQ

8th Jessie McGrath, Doyle WQ

9th Annette Evans, Connolly WQ

Senior Adult Ladies Over 21
(The Gregan Trophy, Donated by The Gregan Sisters)

1st Jo-Anna Stanbury, Kay-Hallissey WQ

2nd Kristina Craig, Kerry WQ

3rd Laura Young, Connolly WQ

Under 9 Yrs 3 Hand Composed

1st O’Neill A

2nd O’Neill B

3rd Kay-Hallissey B

4th Kildunne A


Under 9 Yrs 4 Hand Composed

1st O’Neill A

2nd O’Neill B

3rd Kildunne A

Under 9 yrs 4 Hand Commisson

1st Doyle A

2nd O’Neill A

3rd Kildunne A

4th Kerry A

Under 9 Yrs 6 Hand

1st Kildunne A

2nd O’Neill A

3rd Kerry A

Under 9 Yrs 8 Hand

1st O’Neill A
2nd Kildunne A

3rd Kerry A

9-13 Yrs 3 Hand Composed

1st Kildunne A

2nd Doyle B

3rd Kay-Hallissey A

4th O'Neill A


9-13 Yrs 4 Hand Composed

1st O’Neill B

2nd O’Neill C

3rd Kerry A


9-13 Yrs 4 Hand Commission

1st O’Neill C

2nd Kildunne A

3rd Kerry A

4th Kay-Hallissey B

5th O’Neill A

6th Doyle B

7th Kildunne B

8th Kerry B


9-13 Yrs 6 Hand

1st O’Neill B

2nd Kildunne A

3rd Kerry A

4th Doyle A

5th O’Neill A


9-13 Yrs 8 Hand

1st O’Neill A

2nd Doyle A

3rd Kildunne A


Under 13 yrs Open Composed Figure

1st Kildunne A

2nd Doyle A

Over 13 Yrs 3 Hand

1st Connolly B

2nd Kay-Hallissey A

3rd O’Neill A

4th O’Neill C

5th Kildunne B

6th Connolly A


Over 13 yrs 4 Hand Commission

1st O’Neill C

2nd Doyle C

3rd Kildunne A

4th O’Neill A

5th Connolly D

6th O’Neill D

7th Connolly B

8th Kildunne D

9th Doyle A

10th Doyle B

11th Kildunne B

Over 13 Yrs 4 Hand Composed

1st O’Neill A

2nd Connolly A

3rd Kildunne A

4th O’Neill C

5th Kay-Hallissey A


Over 13 yrs 6 Hand

1st Connolly B

2nd O’Neill C

3rd Kildunne A

4th Kildunne B

5th Doyle B

6th Kay-Hallissey B


Over 13 yrs 8 Hand

1st O’Neill B WQ

2nd Connolly B WQ

3rd O’Neill A WQ

4th Kildunne A WQ

5th Kay-Hallissey B WQ


Over 13 yrs Open Composed Figure

1st Connolly A WQ

2nd Kildunne A WQ

3rd Doyle A WQ



TIDA of NZ Travel Scholarship Winner


Lachlan Cassidy-Rowse, Kildunne, Wellington

Rodney Walshe Travel Scholarship Winner

Ashleigh John, Doyle Academy, Auckland

See the photos and the Parade of Champs here:
http://www.pixs.co.nz/irish-dancing-nationals-2010.php

Sneak preview of 'Riverdance on Ice'

Performers from the show: John Grimes, Meghan Lucey, Jessie Baffa, Bobbie Ann Boeing, Jillian Farmer Tammany, Scott Doherty, Kevin Horton, Laura Yanez, Caterina Coyne, Marcus Maloney, Ryan McCarthy, Chloey Turner, Melissa Convery, Brian Mullane, Alana Mallon

"Riverdance on Ice"combines the music, rhythm and artistry of "Riverdance" with the grace and athleticism of ice-skating. This new twist to the popular show brings together world class figure skaters and world champion Irish step dancers.
"Riverdance on Ice" was performed for night only at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell.

One of the Irish dancers, Meghan Lucey was very excited to be part of the show: "What an amazing experience.. a fantastic show and a fun two nights hanging out with the Olympians. I had a blast! The Olympian and world champion ice skaters are absolutely amazing."

Pat Mangan a music  performer with "Riverdance On Ice" described the performance as incredible.

This new show includes world class figure skaters such as Olympic silver medalists Sasah Cohen (pictured above) and Tanith Belbin, Ben Agosto, as well as Todd Eldredge (pictured below), Shae-Lynn Bourne and more.

"Riverdance on Ice" showcased an unforgettable one-night-only performance at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell .The audience was swept away by the sights and sounds as Olympic, world and national champion figure skaters including Joannie Rochette, Tanith Belbin, Ben Agosto and Michael Weiss glided across the ice to the thunderous rhythm of the Riverdance music. The marriage of two skillful genres of dance resulted in a powerful performance.

NI Tourism Minister, Arlene Foster has launched a new Titanic website in New York

Experience Northern Ireland, Titanic & More promotion

Photos from Tourism Ireland's week-long promotion "Experience Northern Ireland, Titanic & More", which is taking place in the Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station, where millions of New Yorkers have an opportunity to see it.

Marion Russell, Gillian McLean, Tim Cooke,
Joanne Byrnes and Ken McKinnon (NMNI)
with Minister Arlene Foster and Niall Gibbons
at the Titanic exhibit

NI Tourism Minister, Arlene Foster has launched a new Titanic website in New York as part of a week-long celebration called Experience Northern Ireland – Titanic & More.

The website, www.the-titanic.com was launched in New York's Grand Central Terminal at the end of the week's showcase, organised by Tourism Ireland in association with National Museums Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau.

Niall Gibbons; Tourism Ireland; Tourism Minister Arlene Foster; Culture Minister Nelson McCausland and Mark Henry; Tourism Ireland.

Foster attended the reception with Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister, Nelson McCausland to promote the North as a "must see"

destinatio

n.

Speaking at the

lau

nch, Arlene Foster said the website will "showcase the full range of Northern Ireland related tourism

products to a broad range of potential visitors,

trade profess

ionals and travel journalists.”

The website features a series of short films a

bout the Titanic and the North.

Arlene Foster also highlighted the "exciting times" ahead for tourism in the North.

“Northern Ireland’s tourism package is conti

nually growing. The Titanic Signature Projec

t and the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre are due to come to fruition

in 2012, and we

must work tog

ether to maximise the opportunities

that exist,” she said.

Minister McCau

sland added: "This new Titanic website is an excellent way to

further tell the s

tory of the iconic ship whose centenary we will celebrate in 2012. The story wi

ll help inform people of the fact that Belfast was the birthplace of Tita

nic and of a great many other ships of that era.”

The Chief Executive

of Tourism Irelan

d, Niall Gibbons, said that the body's aim is to capitalise on the huge interest that exists among people aro

und the world and to remind potential holidaym

akers everywhere about Titanic’s connec

tion with Belfast and Northern Ireland.

“The focus of o

ur promotions will be on building awareness of Belfast and Northern

Ir

eland and on celebrating the proud history of Belfast’s industrial, shi

pbuilding and maritime past,” he said

Belfast-born actress Geraldine Hughes was MC at the reception in Grand Central Terminalfor top travel trade, media and corporate contactsfrom New York and the tri-State area

In front of ‘Queen’s University’ are Michael McCormick (BVCB),Uel Hoey and Deborah Harris (Belfast International Airport),Gerry Lennon (BVCB) with Minister Arlene Foster and Niall Gibbons

Tourism Minister Arlene Foster : details of a major showcase for Northern Ireland tourism, in New York’s Grand Central Terminal, last month.

Tourism Minister Arlene Foster along with the Culture Arts and Leisure Minister, Nelson McCausland, traveled to New York for the opening of a week-long celebration entitled ‘EXPERIENCE Northern Ireland – TITANIC & MORE’. Arlene Foster also met with leading American business tourism contacts to promote investment opportunities.

The exhibition, from 24 to 29 September, has been organised by Tourism Ireland in association with National Museums Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau. It will be attended by leading airlines, travel trade, media and corporate contacts from the New York and tri-state area.

The showcase forms part of a Tourism Ireland three-year programme to raise awareness of Northern Ireland and its Titanic heritage in New York. The centrepiece of the event will be a Titanic exhibition, featuring a replica hull of Belfast’s most famous ship, including interactive storyboards and screens as well as illustrated talks and guides.

Speaking in advance of the exhibition, the Tourism Minister said: “Millions of New York commuters and visitors to the city will get a taste of what Northern Ireland has to offer as a unique and vibrant tourism and business tourism destination. The exhibition will showcase the very best of Northern Ireland culture, music, entertainment and food.”

The exhibition was a packed schedule of events, featuring top Northern Ireland performers with more than 50 partners attending, including top chefs, musicians, craft workers and tour guides.

Storyteller Liz Weir, Don Wilmont (Causeway Coast & Glens),Róisín Wallace (Manor House Hotels) and Brian Hurell (Ulsterbus Tours)

promoting the Causeway Coast

Arlene Foster added: “Tourism is now one of the most important indigenous industries in Northern Ireland and plays a chief role in our export economy. In the period 2002-2009, overseas tourism contributed over £2.1billion to the economy of Northern Ireland. During the current difficult economic period Tourism Ireland has embarked on a specific Northern Ireland marketing programme highlighting gateway cities with direct access, such as New York.

Acclaimed chefs Neven Maguire (MacNean House)
and Noel McMeel (Lough Erne Resort) are bringing the best of our culinary expertise to New Yorkers

Musical entertainment will be provided by Peter Corry, Kintra, Kabosh, the McPeake Family, USG Performin Arts Presenters and others. Food will feature strongly as acclaimed chefs Noel McMeel and Neven Maguire will bring the best of Northern Ireland culinary expertise to New Yorkers. There will also be a full programme of lectures, story-telling and other performances highlighting the many aspects of our unique Northern Ireland culture. Representatives of the tourism industry will bring the different counties of Northern Ireland to life for visitors to the exhibition.

Promoting Belfast’s maritime heritage are Susan Millar(Titanic Boat Tours), Susie McCullough (NITB),Robert Cusack (Go Global Travel Group),Wallace Lawson (Titanic Foundation Ltd) andDerek Booker (Lagan BoatTours

Culture and Arts Minister Nelson McCausland added: “This celebration includes many unique aspects of Northern Ireland culture and I hope that millions of New Yorkers, as well as visitors to this great city, will get a flavour of the real Northern Ireland as they pass through Vanderbilt Hall.

“The exhibition presents a marvellous opportunity to showcase the very best of what Northern Ireland has to offer visitors. People all around the world know something of the story of Titanic whose centenary we will celebrate in 2012.

"Less well known is the fact that Belfast was the birthplace of Titanic and of a great many other ships of that era. The design and building of the iconic liner confirmed Northern Ireland as a world leader in manufacturing and engineering.

“Today Northern Ireland is establishing a global reputation based on creativity and innovation. Our vibrant arts, music and film sectors together with a range of cultural and leisure offerings provide interesting opportunities for visitors and investors.

Commenting on the potential of the exhibition to bring Northern Ireland to the attention of a huge audience in New York, Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, said: A Titanic website has been unveiled in New York.

It will profile Northern Ireland and its shipbuilding heritage and aims to attract thousands of tourists.

In 2012 tourism chiefs will highlight the centenary of the ocean liner's Atlantic sinking which saw 1,500 lives lost in April 1912.

Niall Gibbons, chief executive of Tourism Ireland, said: "We have an exciting promotional programme in the pipeline in the run-up to the Titanic centenary, which kicked off this week

with our major Experience Northern Ireland - Titanic And More showcase in New York.

"Our aim is to capitalise on the huge interest that exists among people around the world and to remind potential holidaymakers everywhere about Titanic's connection with Belfast and Northern Ireland."

The website will feature a series of short films promoting the link between the Titanic and Belfast.

Tourism Minister Arlene Foster and Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Nelson McCausland attended a reception to promote destination Northern Ireland.

Ms Foster said: "The new Titanic website, developed by Tourism Ireland, has been developed to profile Northern Ireland and its shipbuilding heritage.

"It will showcase the full range of Northern Ireland related tourism products to a broad range of potential visitors, trade professionals and travel journalists."

A Titanic website unveiled in New York will profile Northern Ireland and its shipbuilding heritage

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/titanic-website-shows-belfast-link-14961771.html#ixzz11LM9IuXE

To promote Northern Ireland as a world-class tourism and business tourism destination in the major gateway city of New York. In the run-up to 2012, Tourism Ireland is planning an extensive series of promotional events to keep Belfast, Northern Ireland and Titanic in the international spotlight and to encourage Americans – and other overseas visitors – to come and see where the whole story started.”

Tourism Ireland is has a dedicated Titanic website to profile Northern Ireland and its shipbuilding heritage. Central to the website will be a series of short films which will be used for online campaigns and on popular social networking sites. The films will recount different aspects of the Titanic story in the run-up to 2012. The website was launched at the September event in New York.

The ‘EXPERIENCE NORTHERN IRELAND - TITANIC & MORE’ exhibition took place 24-29 September, in the Vanderbilt Hall of Grand Central Terminal, in New York.

1. Strategic Partners were:

• National Museums Northern Ireland
• Northern Ireland Tourist Board
• Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau
• Belfast International Airport
• Continental Airlines
• PERFORMERS include:
  • Ben Glover
  • Anthony Toner
  • Peter Corry
  • Kabosh
  • Kintra
  • Cinemagic
  • Blue Eagle Productions/ Fair Faa Ye
  • The McPeake Family
  • Liz Weir
  • USG Performing Arts Presenters, Artistic Director, Unateresa Gormley
  • INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES include:
  • Ballydougan Mill
  • National Trust
  • Causeway Coast & Glens
  • Derry City Tours
  • Titanic Tours
  • Share Centre
  • Airporter
  • Federation of Private Transport Operators
  • Hastings Hotels
  • Hilden Brewery
  • HINI
  • B&B Ireland
  • Manor House Hotels
  • Ulsterbus Tours
  • Drenagh Farms

USG Performing Arts Presenters: PRESENTS

""SEPHIRA'''
USG Performing Arts Dancers & Sephira, Artistic Director, Unateresa Gormley
USG Presents: ''SEFHIRA'' in Firedance
Ulster Kitchen
'''' KINTRA''''
THE McPEAKE FAMILY SHOW