LARCC unveils Chancers for Irish dancing
TDs, journalists, singers, teachers, hairdressers - everyone's doing Irish dancing these days.Well, maybe not everyone, but certainly a selection of well-known faces, including Robert Troy TD, are on this year's list of 'chancers' for the second annual Chancin' Irish Dancin' fundraiser organised by the Lakelands Area Retreat and Cancer Centre (LARCC).Each of the chancers is matched with a dancer from the Kevin Lyster School of Dance in Rochfortbridge, and between them, they come up with a short routine to perform in public at the show on Friday March 30 in The Greville Arms Hotel. Along the way, they will be picking up a bit of sponsorship to help LARCC.Following the success of last year's event, the organisers opted to repeat the idea this year - but with a special guest appearance by some of last year's chancers - Niamh Sheridan, June Carley and Aidan Mulligan.Chancers this year include Robert Troy TD. Says Bernie McHugh of LARCC: "We are hoping he is as good at dancing as he is at politics. If he is, we are in for a real treat!"Camillus Egerton is swapping the microphone for the dancing shoes and Mary Maguire, journalist with the Westmeath Topic, is preparing to wow everyone.Paul Curley, being more used to directing a drama production, is finding hidden talents in his dancing feet, whereas Patrick Havelin, hair stylist and Mullingar hair salon owner, is refreshing some steps from years ago.Avril Whitney, Curraghmore NS teacher, is enjoying learning her routine while Vinny Maguire of Maguire Hairdressing Supplies in Longford is getting to grips with the whole sean nós thing.Martha Clancy, marketing manager at the Annebrook Hotel, will be polishing up some steps from way back and Multyfarnham man Dessie Greene is looking forward to 'chancin' some groovy moves of his own!Special mention and thanks go to Kevin Lyster and the Lakelands Academy of Irish Dance from Rochfortbridge."The talented dancing professionals and mentors from the academy are all generously giving their time to train our dancers and get them ready for the event, all in the name of charity," says Bernie."Gemma Gorman, Chloe Renshaw-Colgan, Angela Bradley, Elaine Geraghty and Megan McKenna will be taking our dancers through their paces and every detail will be attended to in a bid to perfect their dancing skills."Entertainment on the night will also be provided by champion set dancers and musicians, and last year's Chancers will take to the floor with a show dance.Paul Doolin will be guest MC for the evening, and there will be a guest judging panel of accomplished Irish dancing champions and last year's winner Niamh Sheridan.Chancin Irish Dancin is on Friday March 30 in the Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar, at 8pm.Tickets are on sale from LARCC Multyfarnham and the Greville Arms Hotel, at â¬10, students â¬5.Call LARCC at 044 9371971; larcc.ie.