Rahan dancer taking world by storm!
The first time Joe Grennan went to sean-nós dancing classes with his family in their local GAA Hall in Rahan he was what only could be described as “a reluctant dancer” according to his dad, Michael.
From these small beginnings just five years ago, 13-year old Joe, who lives in Murrough, has gone on to take the sean-nós dancing world by storm, twice representing his county at All-Ireland level, and walking away with the runner-up prize at the prestigious Oireachtas na Samhna competition in Dublin earlier this month.
Joe's first sean-nós dancing teacher was Sharleen Doyle, and the Grennan family say they are “deeply indebted” to her for giving them all a great love of the traditional and fun style of Irish dancing, and also giving them a renewed love of the Irish language in the process!
“We decided to go to the sean-nós classes in Rahan because we felt it was something we could all do as a family,” says Michael, “and Sharleen was a wonderful teacher who made the classes so much fun, and it has been the start of a great new chapter in all our lives.”
Joe's wife, Caroline (nee Mooney) has a strong family background in traditional music and dance, and was an All-Ireland sean-nós dancer, so Michael says “dancing is definitely in the family genes” but both himself and Caroline admit to being “both surprised and delighted” at the ease with which their eldest son has taken to the sean-nós style of dance.
From an initial field of 30 entrants in the sean-nós category at this year's Oireachtas na Samhna competition in Citywest Convention Centre, Dublin on November 2 last, Joe Grennan was one of just six entrants to make it through to the finals, which were televised live on TG4, and he emerged as the runner-up in the 12/13 age category of the very tough competition.
“It was a great result for him, and it was even better that he got to dance live on TG4,” says his Dad. “So we were all delighted for him.”
Oireachtas na Samhna is the country's biggest annual Irish language arts and cultural festival. The entire event is conducted through the medium of Irish, right down to the filling out of the application form, and Michael Grennan says that his son's participation in the competition for the past four years, and his sean-nós dancing has given the entire family a renewed appreciation of all things Gaeilge!
“I think we all got a flavour of what it is like to speak a bit of Irish and to appreciate all things Irish when the Fleadh first came to Tullamore” he says “and when we travel around the country to various competitions and see so much Irish being spoken, particularly by young people, in a fun and relaxed environment and with so much music around, I think it has given all of us a renewed love for the language.”
Joe Grennan, who is a second-year student at Killina Presentation Secondary School, has two siblings, 10-year old brother, Conor and 8-year old sister Maeve, and while Conor did go to the sean-nós dancing classes in Rahan Hall with his family, he has now swapped the dancing shoes for a hurley and plays with the Shamrocks hurling team. However, he is also involved with Rahan Comhaltas where he plays concertina, while Maeve is also an accomplished sean-nós dancer in her own right and has just started playing the keyboard with her local Comhaltas branch.
Having danced under the expert tuition of Sharleen Doyle for three years, Joe, along with his sister, Maeve, now attend weekly sean-nós dancing classes with the very experienced dance tutor, Lillie Crossley, in the Áirc Damhsa Moate club, based in Dun na Sí teach cheoil, Moate, and they really look forward to their classes, according to their Dad.
For those who missed Joe Grennan's live performance in the sean-nós dancing finals at the Oireachtas na Samhna competition, there will be a second chance to see it when the finals are repeated on TG4 on Christmas Day.