A MANCHESTER Irishwoman who has been dancing since ‘she could lace her shoes’ was commended last month for her on-going contribution and unwavering commitment to her community.
Although just 34, primary school teacher Louise Keegan has made a significant mark on the city’s Irish community over the years and was honoured for her work at the 34th annual Mayo Association of Manchester dinner dance.
Held at The Point in Old Trafford Cricket Ground on Saturday, February 22, the event saw Louise presented with a glass award as Fr Pat Munroe read a citation outlining the many years of hard work she has devoted to Manchester’s Irish community.
“Despite her tender years, Louise has been involved with promoting Irish culture and in particular Irish dance since she could walk,” Fr Munroe explained.
Louise Keegan (right) with the dancers from the Keegan Academy of Irish DanceFrom her younger days as a dancer with the Lally School of Irish Dance, to her current position as co-founder of the Keegan Academy of Irish Dance, formed with her brother James in 2011, the award-winner has rarely been far from the Irish dancing tradition.
The Manchester siblings were born and raised in the city to parents from Roscommon and Leitrim.
On Saturday a packed room of more than 400 people watched as Mayo Association President Marcella Wilkinson presented the impressive teacher with her well-deserved award.
Elsewhere on the night the youth award was jointly won by The Keegan Academy Dancers and St Lawrences GAA club.
Editor of Mayo’s community newspaper The Western People, James Laffey gave the keynote speech on the evening, followed by a rousing address by the chairman of Mayo County Council, Councillor John O’Malley.
Both speakers had made a special trip to Manchester for the occasion and paid tribute to the organisers of the record breaking 2013 Manchester Mayo Gathering – a nine-day event which took place in towns across the western county last year.
The festival in Mayo was acknowledged by Tourism Ireland as the biggest event organised by anyone in Britain, while Mr O’Malley confirmed it was ‘the best’ Gathering event hosted in Mayo last year.
