Irish Dance School Performs at Mineola Library

Mineola is getting into the Irish spirit early as dancers from the Donny Golden School of Irish Dance performed for a packed room on Saturday afternoon at the ahead of the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

“We showed them all of the different types of dances that there are for all levels- from the very beginner to the people who have been dancing for 18 years,” dance school show coordinator May O’Blyle-Deegan said.

The 20 dancers ranged in age from 7 through 22, and all practice at the Irish American Society in Mineola twice a week. Their teacher, , is a renowned Irish step dancer and has been running the school for approximately 30 years.

Mineola Library Director Charles Sleefe explained that the library became involved with this group through librarian Pat Lackner, whose niece was the original lead of Riverdance.

“She was able to attract this group to come,” Sleefe said. “They came once 10 years ago and they have come every year since. This is one of our most attended programs every year. We never have enough seats – people are always standing.”

The performance consisted of both hard and soft-shoe dances, including reels the hornpipe. They also danced the slip jig, a style that is traditionally only performed by females. Interludes were provided courtesy of singer and guitarist Pete McMonagle.

“I think it went extremely well a very receptive crowd, very enthusiastic,” dancer Kieran Doctor, 20 said.

The dancers also participate in competitions throughout the tri-state area, generally within a two to three hour driving radius. One group will be taking a trip to Ireland in April to take part in the World Irish Dancing Championships, which requires all participants to qualify for on a regional or national level.

“It is a lot of work,” O’Blyle-Deegan said. “It is like any sport or dance – they have gotten so much better over the years. If they practice and they are good dancers, they get to do shows with lots of different Irish groups around the country – they get flown out for them and things like that.”

Green-clad audience members were treated to Irish soda bread after the show commenced and were able to marvel in the talent from the young performers.

“I’m amazed at their dedication to the dance and so impressed by the costumes,” New Hyde Park resident Esther Confino said. “I think that it is a wonderful pursuit for young people.”