Laois dancing queen offering to teach everyone in county a rare old jig

Laois people are invited to put on their dancing shoes and learn a rare old jig, by the county's own dancing queen, Maureen Culleton.

Dance teacher Maureen from Ballyfin is well known for her enthusiastic lessons in Irish Dancing, line dancing and even music, as she also runs the Sing for Joy inclusive weekly choir in Portlaoise.

This week she told the Leinster Express / Laois Live all about her latest project, a masterclass for a special jig called The Priest and His Boots.

It will feature among the busy Arts lineup for Laois this November.

"I'm holding a dance workshop to teach this traditional solo step dance. It's an unusual name but it's an old dance in jig time from county Clare. I was taught it 20 years ago by James Keane, I think at the Willie Clancy Summer School.

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"I have danced it in many parts of the country at ceilithe and people ask me 'when are you going to teach us that?'.

"Now I want to teach it to Laois people. It's a beautiful party piece. It's non competitive, there's no costume, just wear comfortable shoes," Maureen said.

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The dance workshop is for all ages and abilities. It will take place in her own home, at An Seanchistin, Ballyfin, R32X5D6. It is on Saturday, November 22, from 11am to 5pm. The public can sign up by ringing Maureen on 087 6482038 or emailing seanchistin@gmail.com

The cost is €25, and tea and coffee are included, with dancers asked to bring a packed lunch.