May 19 2009
Irish Dancing at Civic center, by Emily d mont
| The music brought us there, but it was the dancing that brought us together. Left the monastery feeling questionable. The step dancers were cheerful and full of energy surprizing and showing us all up despite the age difference between us. These local Irish dancers kept themselves young at heart and taught us traditional Irish step dancing. Chaos insude. Spin! No! Turn left! Turn left! No time to act shy. Shouting and cries of laughter from emabarassment filled the dancehall, bringing us all even closer together as a group. One and two and three and four and Allyson was on the floor. Exhaustion hit us hard, as it was not as easy as one might have suspected. Our dance partenrs tried their best and were very patient with those of us that aren’t as cordinated. Michelle’s dance partner, Tom, was a real riot, a sweet energetic grey headed flirt had us all laughing ourselves to tears as we struggled to keep up and learn the steps. Some got it right away while others enjoyed the challenge. To hop and step and kick and spin, all the while trying not to run into each other. Exhausted, sweating and gasping for air we all sat down and the real show began. The step group then performed solo dances for us while we watched with amazement at their skill and accuracey. “Gather round for the sing along” Singing and accordian music replaced our laughter and again were impressed with the traditional Irish tounge Gaelic. There is a sense of passion and patriotism felt all throughout Ireland that does not compare to that which is seen at home in the states. These people aren’t just proud of their history, they know it by heart and hold it there. Rachel and Corry sang for them in return, bringing us back again to this sense of Irish give and give back hospitality felt and found throughout the trip thus far. Michael, our lead dance instructor, asked them to sing a song from home, suggesting Elvis. With this Tom, the cut up of the group began to dance and perform his Elvis impression which had quite an impression on us indeed. Quite possibly one of the cutest things I’d ever seen. Laughter ensued once again and words cannot describe how fun, challenging and amusing this display was. We met for biscuits and tea and the fun didn’t stop there, instead we all took time to thank them for sharing with us their tradition and culture that cannot be obsorbed from a text book, but from the experience itself. Tom was quite the ladies man, asking Michelle if she had the keys to his flat. Michelle whispered to Allyson that Tom must have been a hottie in his day, overhearing, Tom turned red and said, “You can’t do that to an old man!” Now it was his turn to be embarrassed. There were some of the most hospitable spirited locals that we’ve met so far, inviting us back to dance again. One of the best nights in Thurles by far.– Emily d Mont |