The 2024 Collection
Between 1983 and 1985 Dr Catherine Foley recorded the step dancing of 14 elderly North Kerry step dancers, on behalf of the Trustees of Muckross House, Killarney. Most of these were former pupils of Jeremiah Molyneaux, the last known travelling dancing master in North Kerry. Four decades later, in 2024, the Trustees of Muckross House financed a further project to record the next generation of step dancers. The field work and interviews were once again undertaken by Dr Catherine Foley.
Mossie Walsh was born in 1944 near Lisselton, in north Kerry. Both his mother and father were fond of dancing and they often danced a set, or an old time waltz, in the family kitchen. When young, Mossie attended some of Jeremiah Molyneaux’s dance classes. These usually took place over a period of six weeks. Mossie also learnt steps off his sisters. As an adult, Mossie worked as a farmer. He always retained his love of dance.
A native of the Moyvane area of north Kerry, Fr Pat Ahern was born in 1932. Growing up surrounded by music and dance, he received lessons from dancing-master Jeremiah Molyneaux. Following his ordination as a priest in 1957 Pat helped establish ‘St John’s Gregorian Choir’ in Tralee. He then recruited some of its members to form the group Siamsóirí na Ríochta, which featured on several television programmes during the 1960s. Siamsóirí na Ríochta, eventually evolved into Siamsa Tíre, the Irish National Folk Theatre.
Born in Tralee in 1948, Jimmy Smith began Irish dance classes with Irene Gould at the age of six. He worked as a barber before eventually becoming a full time dance teacher. Jimmy was a founder member and long-term performer with Siamsa Tíre. With Honor Flynn he set up the very successful dance school Rinceoirí na Ríochta in 1984. Up to 2024 the school had produced eleven World Champion Dancers.
Patricia Hanafin was born in Tralee in 1946 and her first dance teacher, at the age of five, was Eileen Laide. She later became a pupil of Irene Gould. Patricia left school at 15 and began working in Woolworth’s shop in Tralee. At the age of 17 Patricia set up her own very successful dance school. She was a founder member and long term performer with Siamsa Tíre.
Jimmy Hickey (b. 1942) is from Listowel town. His dancing teacher was Liam Ó Duinín a pupil of Jeremiah Molyneaux. When young, Jimmy successfully participated in both local and national dance competitions. As an adult Jimmy worked as a shoe maker. He also established his own dance school when he was 18 years of age. Jimmy and his students experienced great competition success at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and also at the German HARMONIE Festival.
Born in 1971, Jonathan grew up in Banemore, near Listowel. His mother, Mary, introduced him to step dancing. In school he attended classes hosted by Jimmy Hickey, a life-long influence. In 1979 Jonathan began dance classes, under Jimmy Smith, in Teach Siamsa, Finuge. He became a full time member of Siamsa Tíre in 1989 and toured extensively with the company. Jonathan was appointed Máistir Rince [Dancing Master] of Siamsa Tíre in 2000; he also served as Artistic Director from 2006 until 2024.
Justin Walsh was born in 1979. He is a native of Listowel and his first dance teacher was Jimmy Hickey. At seven years of age Justin was accepted into classes hosted by Siamsa Tíre at Teach Siamsa, Finuge. He subsequently became a student of Rinceoirí na Ríochta in Tralee. Justin is keenly interested in dance performance; for many years he performed with Siamsa Tíre. He has also toured widely with 'Riverdance,' 'Lord of the Dance' and other dance stage shows.
Born in 1994 David Geaney is from Dingle town, where his first dancing classes were with Therese O’Shea. Later he attended classes hosted by Siamsa Tíre at Carraig and he was also a pupil of Rinceoirí na Ríochta in Tralee. David began winning competitions at a young age and in total he has won Five World Championships. Nowadays David is primarily interested in performance and he co developed the Broadway show ‘Velocity’ with World Champion Dancer James Devine.