Galway set dancers to entertain the Queen

Date Published: 11-May-2011

By Declan Tierney

Eight set dancers from Abbeyknockmoy are to be the toast of the country next week when they display their immense talents for the Queen during her visit to this country next week.

The Abbeyknockmoy Set Dancers, who are trained by Marie Greaney, will perform for Queen Elizabeth in Croke Park on Wednesday and already there is some nervous excitement within the group.

But they are vastly experienced having been together for the past 12 years and have won countless national titles as well as performing for President Mary McAleese last year in Áras an Uachtaráin.

They have performed on RTÉ’s Up For The Match and this year they won Scór na nOg All-Ireland medals and will perform their winning set dance for the Queen.

Marie Greaney explains that it was their achievements and their exposure which earned them the phone call from the organisers of the Queen’s visit and they were only too delighted to oblige.

Marie is an accomplished set dancer herself and is the holder of numerous All-Ireland medals. She is the inspiration behind the very successful set dancing club which was formed over 12 years ago. Her extraordinary drive and determination in mastering the art of set dancing has seen the Abbeyknockmoy Set Dancers eclipse all other similar groups with their creative, exciting and traditional technique.

The dancers who will be performing for the Queen are Matthew Mills, Ryan Wilson, Brian Carthy, Joseph Boyle, Jessica Lally, Katie Mullins, Claire Quinn and Emily Fleming.

Read more in today’s Connacht  Tribune