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Celebrating 60 years of teaching Irish dancing in the community
THE McHUGH family in Glasgow recently organised a night of celebration
in honour of their mother Ann McHugh on reaching the milestone of teaching
Irish dancing for 60 years.
The milestone was celebrated in Lipton’s Social Club in the Gorbals
area of Glasgow with an evening of céilí dancing, music
and song.
Ann has been involved in Irish dancing all her life and is undoubtedly
one of the great authorities on the subject with an unparalleled knowledge
of dancers, teachers and all things pertaining to the art.
She was was born in Glasgow of Fermanagh parents and began dancing at
the age of seven years.
Her classes were held in the Fianna Fáil Hall on Rutherglen Road
under the tuition of Peggy O’Neill who had come to Glasgow from
Co. Kildare.
After a few years the Rutherglen Road premises closed and both Fianna
Fáil and the dancing class moved to Clydeferry Street.
A few years later Peggy O’Neill moved to William Street and so began
the famous O’Neill School of Irish Dancing.
Peggy O’Neill had a period of ill health and the older dancers were
encouraged to help beginners and young dancers and also encouraged to
teach in local parishes.
Ann McHugh began teaching in 1946 in Rutherglen and Clydebank —
where the Shamrock School was formed.
Over the years the school has progressed and had classes in many areas.
In 1956 Ann married Jimmy McHugh — the famous fiddle player from
Omagh in Co. Tyrone.
In 1982 Ann became the first person outside Ireland to be selected to
sit on the panel which examines candidates who wish to become teachers
or adjudicators.
When Ann's daughter Róisín qualified as a teacher the school
name changed to the Shamrock Academy.
And when Caroline Boyle — the daughter of one of Jimmy's great musician
friends — also qualified the school became the McHugh-Boyle School.
Caroline retired from teaching earlier this year so the school has reverted
back to the Shamrock Academy.
Ann has served as secretary of the Scottish branch for many years, held
the position of assistant treasurer and assistant secretary on the Executive
of An Comhdháil and has also been an executive member of An Comhdháil
for 30 years.
She hopes she can continue teaching Irish dancing for a few more years
and is also willing to offer her help and expertise to anyone looking
for information on dancing matters.
Along with her husband Jimmy Ann was also very much involved in Irish
traditional music and one of the founding members of Comhaltas in Britain
serving as Glasgow secretary for many years.
It cannot be emphasised enough the contribution Ann has made to Irish
dancing and Irish culture in Scotland.
She truly is a remarkable woman with a remarkable career in Irish dancing. |
