Marie Moore Cunniffe, Mary Devaney Folan, Mike McInerney, Terry O'Connor, Des Silke, Margaret McBride and Lisa Waites |
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Marie Moore Cunniffe - USA
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Marie was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. She started her dancing career at the age of 6. Marie attended the Inis Ealga School of Irish Dancing under the direction of Marie Duffy and the late Maitiu O'Maoileidigh. She thoroughly enjoyed both the competitive and the performance side of Irish Dancing. Her competitive achievements included top 5 in solo at Leinster, All Ireland and World Irish Dancing Championships as well as many first place titles in ceili, figure and dance drama competitions.
In 1981, Marie was part of the team that took the gold medal home to Ireland claiming first place at the International Folk Festival in Dijon, France. She also went on three tours to the USA and Canada with the renowned Jury's Irish Cabaret.
Marie now resides in New Jersey, USA with her husband Frank Cunniffe TCRG and their daughter Hannah. Although Marie has degrees in Physical Therapy and in Drama, she continues her love of Irish dance by teaching and adjudicating full time.
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Des Silke - England |
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Irish Dancing was one of many activities that Des participated in, but the only one that was to continually feature in his life.
It will be a privilege and honour to adjudicate the talented, dedicated and hard working competitors at the World Championships in Glasgow this year. I applaud the parents for their continued support as I am sure there have been many family sacrifices to ensure attendance at this year's event.
To my fellow teachers, I wish you all the best for the forthcoming eight days of competition and appreciate the time and effort that you have lavished on your pupils getting them ready to give their finest performance on the stage of Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall. Congratulations to the hard working local committee, Oireachtas committee and An Coimisiun for all of the preparatory work that is required to enable Irish Dancing to showcase its majesty to the World. |
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Lisa Waites - England |
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I started my dancing career with the fabulous Ted Kavanagh Academy in London at the tender age of 6. I received great basic skills whilst at his Academy at solo level and was extremely fortunate to have been part of Ted's Ceili & Figure Teams which speaks for itself. This firm grounding at all levels has stood me in good stead right up until today. I then moved to one of Ted's former pupils - Richard Griffin - and part of the Griffin O'Loughlin School where I remained until the end of my competing days! Whilst with Griffin O'Loughlin I expanded my knowledge and expertise of Irish Dancing and its creative power achieving many top 5 positions.
In addition to my personal success one of my loves has always been the team events - Figure, Ceili and Dance Drama - for which we won many World titles. Once I finished my career as a competitor I progressed onto teaching and then Adjudicating. I made the very difficult decision once I had achieved my ADCRG exam to relinquish my Open Dance Class, wanting to then concentrate on adjudicating and my very busy business and personal life!.
I have adjudicated many National and International local and prestigious events in my 'young adjudicating career' and am looking forward with great enthusiasm to this years' Oireachtas Rince Na Cruinne 2007 in Glasgow. Enjoy! |
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Mary Devaney Folan - Ireland |
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Mary is a native of Galway City, where she learned her first Irish dancing steps at the age of five from Hele Spellman. Later she danced for the late Mairead ni Fhlaithearta and the Hession School of Dancing. Mary qualified and competed at the first Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne in 1969 and in subsequent years.
She performed in Solo, Ceili and Figure Championships at National and World competitions where she achieved many prizes over the years. |
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Phyllis Cronin Ryan - Ireland |
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Phyllis Cronin was born and still lives in Limerick where she began her dancing career with the Nolan School of dancing and subsequently with her aunt Breeda Mc Inerney.
Her dancing achievements include many Munster Championship titles plus first runner-up at Oireachtas na hÉireann and Oireachtas na Cruinne. Phyllis currently teaches dancing in Limerick City with her sister Catherine. |
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Michael McInerney - England |
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I started dancing in Swindon and was taught by May Kelly, who originated from Waterford . Between the ages of 6 and 16 I danced competitively in solo and ceili competitions, held in the London area, and organized by An Comhdhial.
After a break from dancing I returned in 1989 joining An Coimisiun and qualified as a Teacher in 1990 and then as an adjudicator in 1993.
Between 1990 and 2003 I was teaching on a part time basis and for the past 4 years I have been teaching dancing full time. |
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Antoín OŽNualláin - Ireland
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Antoín became registered with An Coimisiún in 1959 as a TCRG and founded Scoil Rince Uí Nuallaín. He became an ADCRG in 1968. He was appointed as an examiner by An Coimisiún in 1973 and is presently a member of the Udarás Examination Authority.
Scoil Rince Uí Nuallaín has been very successful over the years producing many World, All Ireland and Munster Champions in Solo, Ceili and Figure. Antoín was one of the first teachers to develop Irish dancing in Europe .
Over the years Antoín has travelled to many parts of the world on behalf of An Coimisiún in various capacities and continues to do so, fostering and promoting Irish Dancing. |
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Conleth Mullan - Ireland |
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Conleth began his dancing career at a young age under the tuition of the late Brendan De Glin. Hailing from a family renowned for their love of dancing it became second nature to follow in his Father,Seamus, footsteps. Competition took him the length and breadth of Ireland, competing many times at the Ulster, All Ireland and World Championships.
Shortly after retiring from competition Conleth sat the TCRG examination and taught for 12 years before stopping due to time restrictions. Conleth has adjudicated feisanna all over Ireland, Scotland, England and North America. He is currently registered with CLRG as a GradeExaminer. |
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Charles Moore - Ireland |
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Charles was born in Limerick and danced with Scoil Rince Ui Ruairc. One of the highlights of his career was being a member of the winning Senior Figure team at the First ever Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne.
Charles is currently Runai of Comhairle na Mumhan . He is the Teachers rep. with An Coimisiun and is also a member of the Rules Committee.
Charles will be celebrating his 25 years of Adjudicating with An Coimisiun next year and has Adjudicated at several Major events and is looking forward to Adjudicating this years Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne in Glasgow. |
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Brendan O'Brien |
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Originally from Waterford now living in Dublin. Brendan had a successful dancing class in Waterford and his pupils attained a very high standard having won numerous Munster Championships and high placings in All Ireland and World Championships.
Brendan has adjudicated all the major championships including All Ireland, World, Europeans, Nationals in USA Australia and New Zealand. He has also adjudicated all major championships in UK and Scotland.
Good luck to all competitors in Scotland 2007. |
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Margaret McBride - Ireland |
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I am a native of Galway and started dancing in the '60's with Rita White, (O'Shea-Chaplin, Boston ).
After Rita emigrated, I continued my dancing career with the late
Mairead O'Flaherty and Billy Griffin.
I enjoyed competitive dancing and competed at major feiseanna in Ireland,
England, America and Canada. I spent many enjoyable summers dancing
in cabaret at the Great Southern Hotel, Galway . In the early '70's I toured America and France with an Irish Group called Ceoltoiri Moylough.
I still enjoy teaching dancing on a part-time basis. I take great pride in the many successes and achievements of my own students. My Adjudicating has brought me to many major events in Ireland , America and England all of which I have thoroughly enjoyed. Over the last two years I am very honoured and proud to be Chairperson of the Connacht Regional Council.
On a personal note to all of the dancers this week I would like to wish them all the best of luck, enjoy the experience because just by being here you are all already winners . |
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| Phoebe O'Donoghue - Ireland |
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Terry O'Connor - Australia |
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Terry was born in Ballinasloe Co. Galway and moved to England when she was 4 . At the age 9 her parents (Maureen and James) enrolled her with the Grainger School of Irish Dancing in Oldham Lancs. At age 14 Terry's family emigrated to Australia where she continued with her dancing in Adelaide (SA) learning from various teachers including , Mrs Teirnan, sisters Ann and Breeda Farrell, and The Adelaide Academy. When her family moved to Sydney (NSW) Terry joined the Ransley Studio, and feels very privileged to have been trained for her TCRG/ADCRG by sisters Joy, Dawn and Shirley.
Terry is also a qualified fitness instructor and for the last twenty six years she has been working part time in the fitness industry. She also works full time as a public servant with the Australian Government. Apart from Australia she has experience adjudicat ing in New Zealand, and also in Canada (Vancouver). Terry feels extremely honoured to be on the panel at this years World Championships and would like extend her best wishes to all of the teachers, competitors, parents, Oireachtas committee and An Coimisiun for a very successful event.
During July Terry and her partner (Rob Meiklejohn) will be taking ownership of TAPS Dancewear and Dance Studio located in Canberra (ACT) where she will be launching the O'Connor Talent Academy. Terry will be teaching fitness and contemporary Irish dance classes, along with a team of teachers who are trained in all forms of theatrical dance. |
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| Stella Moore - England |
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