Applause for Mayo dancing school at home and abroad

THE Moffatt School of Irish Dancing received fantastic applause both at home and abroad over the St. Patrick’s weekend celebrations.

Dancers from the north Mayo school performed at over 20 events celebrating our traditional culture on the most Irish weekend of the year, both in Ireland and the USA.

Travelling from Dublin to Hartford CT, 10 champion dancers were welcomed by the Irish sister committee Pittsfield MA ahead of their initial events in the area, which kicked off with a televised civic reception at Pittsfield City Hall attended by Mayor Peter Marchetti, among other dignitaries.

The dancers entertained with a selection of both light and heavy dance pieces. Joining the Moffatt SD team on the day were dancers from the Breifne-O’Ruairc School of Dancing. Both schools have a very good working relationship, and this link is a very important part of the chain in continuing the connection between Ballina and Pittsfield.

Following lunch in Patrick’s Irish bar, both dance schools participated in a joint ceili class where dancers had the opportunity to mix and socialise in a light-hearted, non-competitive environment.

Later that evening the dancers travelled to North Adams to perform in the state-of-the-art Studio 9 theatre. Situated in the heart of the Berkshires, and equipped with a Meyer sound’s constellation system, the dome shaped theatre provided an unbelievable setting for the Mayo dancers. A truly unique experience for all involved.

Saturday saw the Moffatt team participating in the Albany, NY, St. Patrick’s Day parade, walking with the Irish sister committee, Breffne-O’Ruairc SD and friends through the streets to resounding applause. On return from Albany, once again the dancers performed in the Elks Lodge Club at the Irish American sister cities celebration dinner before preparing to leave for Boston.

Boston parade on March 16 saw an early start, and a unique line up experience did not prepare the group for the reception that awaited the Mayo dancers as they walked and danced with pride the 3.8 miles of the south Boston parade. No one could have imagined the welcome the dancers would receive along the path, voted America’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade for 2025. The memories of the welcome and support towards the Mayo champions will be a lifelong memory for those involved.

No time to rest, the dancers prepared to perform at the Irish owned and managed pub The Burren, where there wasn’t an inch of floor space left with a great Irish diaspora, many from Mayo who had made their way to meet the Irish dancers at one of the best Irish trad houses in Boston. A second performance on March 17 at their sister pub The Bebop again saw standing ovations for the dancers. On the same evening, at Beacon Hill, central Boston, some of the dance troupe had the privilege of dancing at the Charitable Irish society event where Irish consulate Sighle Fitzgerald was in attendance for the performance.

Meanwhile across the same few days, at home in Ireland, the school had dancers participating in both the Crossmolina and Lahardane pardades. Performances included St. Patrick's Day Mass in St. Tiernan's Church, Crossmolina, Leonard's of Lahardane traditional seisiun, Folk ‘n' Craic seisiun in Keenagh NS, Foxford’s Rambling House and street entertainment after the Foxford parade, Hogan’s of Ballina traditional seisiun, and performances in two of nursing homes to round off the weekend’s festivities.

Rosommon open feis was also held on March 16 and 17 in Boyle and dancers from the school attended on both days, bringing home their silverware in time for some of the parades.

Great appreciation must go to the dancers who pulled all 20 events together with the help of the parents and supporters of the school.

Sheila Moffatt, ADCRN and principal of the school, said: “Events like this only come about by hard work and support of everyone involved. All the performance pieces were lined up in advance with each volunteer helping in the various areas with floors, music, amplification, etc., to ensure that each performance went well for all dancers involved.”

The school would like to acknowledge and thank all those involved with the above events and venues, both at home and abroad, including the Irish sister committee, Pittsfield MA, Pat and Marie Gormalley, MA, Tim McCarthy, Boston, and Katie and Brid O’Donnell, Boston, Maudy Lynn- Dooher, Boston, Leonard's of Lahardane and the Lahardane parade committee, Anthony and Eilis Gill of AGS Scaffolding, Crossmolina, Crossmolina Festival of Lights committee, Fr. Judge, Crossmolina, the staff of both Sonas Nursing Homes, Foxford parade committee and everyone involved in all the events the school covered over the few days. Great memories with great people on both sides of the Atlantic.