Capturing Munster’s World Champion Irish Dancers Photography Exhibition

22 – 25 November 2018, INEC Killarney as part of Oireachtas Rince na Mumhan, all welcome
 
This exhibition photographs Munster’s World Champion Irish Dancers for the first time. Each is photographed in a meaningful landscape or location, with many performing their signature step.

This exhibition began as a collection of photographs of Clare’s World Champion Irish dancers captured to celebrate this heritage as part of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Inis 2017. To celebrate 50 years of Oireachtas Rince na Mumhan, Comhairle na Mumhan commissioned the expansion of this project to photograph Munster’s World Champions on this anniversary occasion.

31 of Munster’s World Champion Irish dancers are captured here by Gary Collins.

Dancers featured:  
Clare: Michael Donnellan, Zoe Griffin, Anthony Sharkey, James Devine, Keeva Corry, Martina O’Mahoney, Gary Collins
Cork: Debbie O'Keeffe, John Lonergan, Donna Griffin, Caroline O'Leary, Aisling O'Meara
Limerick: Cian Nolan, Daire Nolan, Niamh O'Brien, Therese Corless, Siobhan O'Mahony, Eoin O'Sullivan, Conor Holmes, Ronan O'Brien, Fionn O'Sullivan McCarthy, Catherine Cronin
Kerry: David Geaney, Sean Slemon, John Fitzgerald
Tipperary: Siobhan Phelan, David Pyke, Shauna Ryan, Michelle Lawrence, Bernie Flynn
Waterford: Richard Murray
 
Creating this exhibition involved 4800 kilometres of travel around Munster, frequent use of a weather app, meeting new people and sharing stories. Siobhan Mahony for example brought along her mini-me Irish dancing doll from the 1970s in a costume matching her own. Also notable is Munster’s only World Champion Irish dancer siblings – the Nolan brothers from Limerick. All of the dancers were delighted to be involved and appreciated the recognition of their achievement in the legacy of CLRG Munster.

I’d like to thank all the dancers involved for their participation and trust. I hope this exhibition reminds them of the importance of their World achievement(s) and how this legacy continues to the present day.

Thanks also to Comhairle na Mumhan for commissioning this exhibition and capturing the achievements of this unique group at a moment in time. I look forward to the exhibition going on permanent display and indeed adding future champions.

Finally thank you to my family for their help and support in creating this exhibition.
 
This exhibition forms part of Oireachtas Rince na Mumhan 2018 in the INEC Killarney.
Entry is free and all are welcome 9am-5pm on the 22-25 November.
 
About Gary
Gary Collins is an Ennis based photographer and a World Champion Irish dancer. He began as a landscape photographer, documenting his travels as a member of Lord of the Dance. He is now a professional photographer, working in wedding, commercial and landscape photography.