Mayo Irish dancers going stateside for St. Patrick's Day

THE Moffatt School of Irish Dancing is travelling stateside for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

A group of 18 will depart on March 13 from Dublin to Bradley International Airport, where they will continue to Pittsfield, MA, sister city of Ballina, to perform at many events, workshops and participate in the Albany parade on March 15.

The troupe of 10 top champion dancers’ range in age from 14 to 23 and were all part of the Atlantic Rhythm group who gave a breathtaking performance on the Moy last July as part of the closing ceremony for the salmon festival.

Moffatt School of Irish Dancing have performed in Pittsfield previously and have been actively involved in helping to keep the twinning of Ballina and Pittsfield alive and active over the last number of years.

On March 16, the group will travel to Boston to take part in the Boston parade and later will perform in McCarthy’s pub, Cambridge - address 1920 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge - where they will meet up with old friends and new.

Details of performances on March 17 will be confirmed shortly, with the group returning home from Boston on March 18.

The dancers are really looking forward to their trip and are excited to be representing north Mayo at these events.

Dancers travelling include Lisa and Cian Lavelle (Keenagh, Crossmolina), Abbey Garrett (Crossmolina), Celina Hegarty (Crossmolina), Katie Hughes (Knockmore), Eimear O’Hora (Ardagh), Emma Jackson (Ardagh), Niamh Walsh (Ballina), Aine Donegan (Enniscrone) and Sarah Keane (Binghamstown, Belmullet).

While this troupe will be busy performing and meeting up with the diaspora abroad the school will be equally as active at home with dancers performing and marching in Foxford, Belmullet, Ballina, Lahardane and Crossmolina.

Moffatt School of Irish Dancing celebrates 35 years in existence this summer, with some exciting plans underway to mark this fantastic achievement.