Siamsa Tíre has announced ‘Sharing the Tradition’, a new online class initiative delivered by the National Folk Theatre of Ireland Training Academy. The aim of the online workshop series is for the National Folk Theatre’s experienced traditional masters/tutors to share their insights and background to step dances and tunes unique to the region, as they teach and perform the traditional pieces for musicians and dancers worldwide. Open to anyone over the age of 16, the series opens on Wednesday 21st April at 7pm with the Irish ‘Munnix’ Dance Workshop series.
The first workshop series will share the very unique and beautiful North Kerry “Munnix” style of traditional Irish dance. This style dates back to the early 1700s and was handed down through the generations by traditional dance masters who travelled the region. Today it is handed down by traditional Irish Dance Master Jonathan Kelliher within the National Folk Theatre Training Academy. Dance experience is an advantage but not required as Jonathan will give you the history of this special dance style from North Kerry and teach the basic dance steps and how to put them together.
Jonathan Kelliher, Artistic Director of the National Folk Theatre of Ireland comments, “Part of our core mission here at Siamsa Tíre is to explore and share our traditional arts. Over the last 50 years we have done this through our Training Academy and folk theatre performances engaging with our local community and visitors to the region. With the arrival of the pandemic, we had to look at how we continue to do this with restrictions in place. Like many other businesses and organisations everywhere, we are embracing technology and looking at how we can continue to share our heritage and expertise locally and with international audiences. We have already successfully delivered a number of one-off online workshops and can see there is demand for audiences to immerse themselves in our cultural heritage. We will continue to develop this space so we can share our music, song and dance traditions for many years to come with all those interested in conserving and developing our traditional and folk arts. No matter where they are.”
Jonathan is the Artistic Director of Siamsa Tíre’s National Folk Theatre programme. He has been studying the North Kerry style of dance since the age of 6 and followed in the footsteps of a long line of North Kerry Dance Masters to become one of the most respected voices in discussing the style and its history and is known as one of the best exponents of the style in Ireland.
The classes are open to anyone over the age of 16, and will run for 4 weeks starting on Wednesday, April 21st from 7pm to 8pm. Fees for the series of 4 classes is €50 and your place can be booked on siamsatire.com.
