I started dancing at the age of 4 when I went to collect my older sister from her dancing class. Though she didn’t stay at it for long, I found my real passion ! I think from the minute I heard the first 8 bars of music - I was hooked !

I think it was my parents attitude to dancing which made me the person I am today. My Mother, who to this day is at every feis with me, always made sure it was about the enjoyment and friendships we made. Thankfully the results were always good, but that was never the important side. I first qualified for the World Championships at the age of 8 (which is unusual in itself now) and never failed to do so until I retired at the age of 20, except one year when i injured myself in Thurles and having won all the solo rounds, couldn’t take part in the championship ! I have travelled all over the world dancing at folk festivals etc and have made some fantastic friendships.

I passed my t.c.r.g. exam in 1992 and my a.d.c.r.g exam in 2002. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than teaching a beginner his or her first steps. I look back with so much pride later on when they are competing at their best at open level and think of the journey we have shared together. I absolutely love teaching children. They have such enthusiasm for life and are all so different in their own little personalities. My one wish is that every child who joins my class will have a love for Irish Dancing at whatever level they choose. Too many of my Peers hated Irish Dancing because of how it was forced on them so I am determined that each and every child in my class
enjoys their time there.

I am also a director of “Rhythmic Feet”, our show company which performs at corporate functions and trips. I get great satisfaction out of choreographing different pieces for different performances and find that the older dancers in particular love this side of our class.

Just to finish off, I would like to say it is an honour to be invited to adjudicate this very special World Championships which is to be held in America for the first time. I have been at every World Championships for the past 30 years either as a dancer, spectator or teacher and this is a fantastic opportunity to now adjudicate at what is the most prestigious event in Irish Dancing.

I would like to wish An Commisiun all the best of luck and to each and every dancer, parent and teacher I would like to wish you all the best of luck and Have Fun!