16/10/2026
My dad was joking with me that I’m well known around town. I’m not so sure! 🤣 I used to say, “Oh, I’m Vinnie’s daughter,” because that’s how everyone knew me! 🤣🤣
Dad is the icon around town: the music man, the shoe man, boxer, the bird breeder, the parish man, the racquetball man you name it! 😂
But I suppose people might know me for dance now. Imagine! I was just 17 when a dance teacher at St Anne’s Youth Centre was leaving and they rang our house to ask if I’d be interested in teaching a class. Of course I said yes! I’d already been teaching dance up at Fort Hill since I was 16, and my teachers at Ursuline College had encouraged me to lead a dance session for cheer leading during Transition Year.
I must never forget my iconic mum, who seemed to know exactly what I needed before she left this earth. She gave me the priceless gifts of family and dance. She signed me up for dance classes when I was 14, and she and Dad continued to support me, even building a dance studio in our garage. They instilled in me the belief that I could achieve anything.
She also helped establish a cancer support centre. Starting with nothing more than our home telephone, she founded the Sligo Cancer Support Group. She was taken far too soon, at just 44, but her strength and compassion inspired us all. She taught us the importance of holding our family together like glue and left an enduring impression on everyone who knew her.
The calls kept coming, and thankfully, people still ask me to teach. I never take that for granted. I love dancing and sharing that passion with others. I may be busy, but always ask!
Dance has been my life. I know my time teaching will come to an end someday, but for now, I’m so grateful to everyone who has danced with me since 2003. ❤️
Dreams do
Come true!!
