Between the jigs and the reels Denise celebrates 25 years
By Mary Dennehy
WHEN Denise Egan took her first steps towards starting an Irish dancing school at the age of 23, and with just one pupil, she never imagined that 25 years later she’d still be going strong.
In 1995, Denise started Scoil Rince Ní Áogain, which was based out of the Bohernabreena Enterprise Centre in Ballycragh – its home until last month.
The Butterflies from Scoil Rince Ni Aogain at the opening of it’s new unit
Denise, who moved to Ballycragh when she was 14 and is now raising her family in the area, told The Echo how she started her dance school with just one pupil, who was her next-door neighbour.
However, the school started to steadily grow and now 25 years later is the current Dublin Céilí Champions – with pupils also preparing for the Irish Opens and the World Championships.
The name of the school has also been changed to Scoil Rince Ní Áogain-Haide, after a past pupil called Ciara Haide joined Denise in running the school.
The school is also celebrating 25 years by moving into its own dedicated unit in the Killinarden Enterprise Park, a spacious dance studio kitted out for practice.
“I’m pretty shocked that the school is 25 years old,” Denise told The Echo.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been that long.
“I still absolutely love it, it’s bred into me at this stage. It’s all quite emotional really.”
Denise says her six-year-old daughter Anna May is now in the school, alongside her co-teacher Ciara’s two children.
Always open to new members, Denise said: “We’re all delighted to be celebrating 25 years and our new studio.
“The new studio has a lot of space that we can use whenever we need to.
“The dancers have the space to move around and we have proper flooring and mirrors.”
On Tuesday of this week, the new studio in the Killinarden Enterprise Park was officially opened by councillor Dermot Richardson and Sean Crowe, TD and celebrated by pupils and their families.
Scoil Rince Ní Áogain-Haide, which has members from four years to 22, practices on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings.
For further details or to join, email niaogainhaidedancers@gmail.com or call 089 4183707.
