Chapter 1: Family Life and Background
Chapter Summary: 00:00 / Part 1 - Justin’s Family Life and Background Justin is a native of Listowel. From a young age he was interested in dance and his first classes were with Jimmy Hickey in Listowel. At seven years of age he auditioned for and was accepted as a pupil at ‘Teach Siamsa’ in Finuge. Later his dance lessons continued in Tralee with Rinceoirí na Ríochta (Kingdom Dancers) under Jimmy Smith and Honor Flynn. 02:48 / Part 2 - ‘Like a Duck to Water’ – Justin’s Love of Dance From a young age dancing came very naturally to Justin. He describes how he loved the rhythm and sound of the dance. Justin attended secondary school in Listowel where football was very popular. Justin did not enjoy playing sports and was very much alone in pursuing his love of dance. 04:23 / Part 3 - Justin Plays Jeremiah Molyneaux At the age of seven Justin became a pupil of Teach Siamsa in Fingue, near Listowel, where the Jeremiah Molyneaux style of dance was taught. A version of the Siamsa Tíre (The National Folk Theatre of Ireland) show was also hosted during the summer season. For many years, Justin played the part of Molyneaux in these seasonal shows in Finuge. Later, he also played the part of Molyneaux at the Siamsa Tíre theatre in Tralee, in 1990. 05:24 / Part 4 - Justin’s Love of Theatrical Dance From the age of 10 or 11 years of age Justin attended classes with Rinceoirí na Ríochta (Kingdom Dancers) in Tralee. He competed in some dance competitions while a pupil of that school. However, the more rigid and disciplined aspects of competitive dance did not appeal to Justin. Instead, he was drawn to the theatrical aspect of dance. 06:43 / Part 5 - Performing with Siamsa Tíre as a Child At the age of 11 Justin participated in his first international tour with Siamsa Tíre to Seville in Spain for Expo ’92. Now he recognises how lucky he and the other young performers were to have had the opportunity to tour both nationally and internationally with Siamsa. Justin also recognises how fortunate they were to perform in their own ‘state-of-the-art theatre’ in Tralee.
Chapter 2: Professional Dance Career
Chapter Summary: 00:00 / Part 1 - Justin’ s Professional Dancing Career At 18 years of age Justin joined the 'Core Group' of professionals at Siamsa Tíre. Two years later he became a student at the College of Dance in Dublin, where he achieved a Diploma in Professional Dance Performance. He then joined ‘Lord of the Dance’ and toured with Michael Flatley. That began an eight-year touring career with various Irish Dance Shows, including ‘Riverdance.’ 02:04 / Part 2 - The Life of a Professional Dancer Justin enjoyed the eight years that he spent performing and touring with the various Irish Dance Shows. However, it could get tiring at times. The tours usually lasted three months and in-between tours he usually returned home to Siamsa Tíre. Justin’s favourite touring locations were New York City and South Africia. 03:34 / Part 3 - Justin’s Favourite Dance Shows Justin wanted to experience all of the Irish Dance Shows, so in the eight years he spent touring he went from one to another. He has no particular favourite show and feels that each one had something to offer. However, he does admit that he loved dancing to the music of Bill Whelan’s ‘Riverdance’. ‘Planet Ireland’, the final number from ‘Lord of the Dance’, is also a favourite of his. 04:35 / Part 4 - The Realities of being a Professional Irish Dancer Justin remarks that the role of a professional Irish dancer can be hard on the body. One has to maintain a good level of fitness and eat a healthy diet. The dancers are drilled every day so their overall levels of fitness are high. Usually dancers perform eight, and sometimes nine, shows a week. 05:17 / Part 5 - Dietary Constraints and Worldwide Sightseeing Opportunities Justin discusses the part played by diet in the life of a professional Irish dancer. While salads and healthy protein meats played an important nutritional role, he admits to indulging occasionally in less healthy options while on tour! Justin also always took advantage of the opportunity to go sightseeing when visiting a new city. 06:25 / Part 6 - Performing in ‘Riverdance’ – A Typical Day Justin describes a typical day in the life of a dancer while participating in ‘Riverdance.’ Usually dancers were on call from five or six o’clock in the evening. They participated in a half-hour warm-up on stage, prior to the actual performance. Following a ‘cool down’, the dancers returned to their hotel. Every few weeks the dancers spent a day intensely ‘drilling’ the dance routines to maintain standards. 08:04 / Part 7 - Comparisons between Siamsa Tíre Shows and ‘Riverdance.' Justin compares the main differences between the shows produced by Siamsa Tíre and ‘Riverdance.’ The Jeremiah Molyneaux style of dancing formed the basis of the shows produced by Siamsa Tíre. The competitive dancing style formed the basis for ‘Riverdance.’ The latter is also more commercial in comparison to Siamsa Tíre. The level of fitness required by dancers has greatly increased in recent times. 09:55 / Part 8 - Working with Michael Flatley People admire the fact that Justin has performed in Irish Dance shows and he feels that it encourages young dancers to continue with dance. Justin is also proud of having had the opportunity of working and touring with Michael Flatley. He admires him for being charismatic, for being a showman and for having changed the face of Irish Dance for ever.
Chapter 3: Retirement and Future Plans
Chapter Summary: 00:00 / Part 1 - Justin’s Retirement from International Touring Justin returned to Siamsa Tíre after eight years touring internationally with the large Irish Dance shows. He compares the life of a professional dancer to that of a professional footballer, remarking that people tend to slow down when they reach their thirties. The shows produced by Siamsa Tíre tend to be less fast paced. Justin was happy to return to that company, which has played such a major role in his life. 01:10 / Part 2 - Justin’s Recent Educational Achievements In recent years Justin has undertaken a Postgraduate Degree in Dance Performance at the University of Limerick where he successfully achieved First Class Honours. While he believes that there are many fine dancing teachers without such qualifications, he himself was anxious to undertake this educational journey. 02:46 / Part 3 - Future Educational Plans and Ambitions Justin is considering doing his dance teaching qualification or TCRG [‘Teagascóir Choimisiún le Rinci Gaelacha], a qualification that now takes about four years to achieve. In terms of competitive dancing, Justin is amazed at the styles that have developed in this area of dance since he was a young participant.
Chapter 4: The Highlight of Justin's Dance Career
Chapter Summary: Justin has enjoyed many moments in his dancing career. In particular he refers to playing the role of Gerry Munnix [Jeremiah Molyneaux] in Siamsa Tíre as a child. However, the overall highlight of his career was dancing with Michael Flatley in Madison Square Garden.
Dance Extracts
The Siamsa Tíre version of 'The Blackbird' for the show 'Ding Dong Dederó.' (1991). Justin played a young Jeremiah Molyneaux for the production.
Justin performs a few 'Treble Reel Steps'.
Hornpipe Steps performed as part of the repertoire of Siamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland.
'Jackie Heel’s Step' performed as part of the repertoire of Siamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland.
Justin spent eight years performing with various well-known dance stage shows, including 'Riverdance,' 'Lord of the Dance,' 'Celtic Tiger,' and 'Feet of Flames.' Here he dances Treble Reels from 'Lord of the Dance.'