Starring role for local dancer in Croke Park 1916 show
A local dancer is set to have a starring role in a special show to commemorate the Rising in Croke Park this Sunday.
Baylin’s Aaron Ganley (16) is only Irish dancer from the Midlands to be chosen to take part in a specially commissioned stadium production of a show entitled 'Laochra’ featuring a cast of more than 3,500 performers in GAA headquarters.
The pageant, taking place following the Allianz Division 1 and 2 League finals, will present the story of Ireland through the ages in a theatrical production which will include the best elements of Irish cultural entertainment.
Proud sister Dairina Ganley from the Concannon Ganley School of Dancing said Aaron feels “privileged” to have been asked to take part in 'Laochra’ with dancers from 'Heartbeat of Home’, the latest production from the people who brought us the smash hit show 'Riverdance’.
“It is his dream to tour when he has completed his competitive career. He is very excited for Sunday and is enjoying every moment of rehearsals with the cast. It is going to be an amazing show,” she enthused.
Dairina said that Aaron, who is a TY student in Athlone Community College, is one of the youngest performers among the massive cast drawn from the best dancers from across the UK and Ireland.
“The whole school will be going. He will have plenty of local support, we’re absolutely thrilled,” added the dance teacher. It’s been an amazing few weeks for Aaron, this latest honour comes hot on the heels of his third place in the U17 Boys World Championship in Killarney and a fantastic 80 medal tally for the dancing school.
Other standout performers at the Worlds included Tubber’s Bill Cornally, son of Rebecca and Aidan Cornally, who took gold in the U13 Boys Championship, second in that contest was another local, Conor Gleeson from Ferbane, while Jessica Rogers from Athlone was placed fifth in the U20 Girls Championship.
Elsewhere, Saskia Keogh was placed eighth in U16 Girls competition, Heather Scanlon from Tang came ninth in the U10 contest and Jamie Conlon was 8th in the U15 Boys competition.
There was also success for school teams in the U10 and U12 Fairy Reel competitions, placing sixth and fifth respectively.
“We are over the moon, it was absolutely brilliant. In total we got 80 medals with 38 dancers competing (in Killarney). We got four globes which means they are placed in the top five and 12 dancers in the top ten.”
On July 2 next in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone the school will hold a World Championship Ball to celebrate the achievements of their troupe of dancers at the World Championships and their most successful Leinster Championships earlier this year.
In the latter competition, dancers brought home three solo wins in the shape of Eanna Rabbitte from Horseleap, Conor Gleeson from Ferbane and Laura Murphy from Kilbeggan, along with four Leinster team champion medals.
The summer celebratory event will also give parents and supporters the chance to these talented dancers in action as they perform some of their most successful competitive routines.