Agostina Reati, Argentinian Dancer and Award Recipient February 2018

I think I speak for the South American Irish dancers when it comes to this matter, because the award is a great help for me, but as the first Argentinian dancer competing at the Worlds, it´s making it easier to any other dancer to believe that they can do it as well. I love to say that I am the first but not the last, as Irish dancing keeps developing and the number of dancers increases every day. Personally, this is my dream since I started dancing, and thanks to Celtic Argentina, Hession School and Mary Duffy Foundation I am making it come true. It has been a long and tough journey, but in the end everything was worth it. I think the Foundation is giving a great support to the Irish dancing community, but specially expanding the road for South American Irish dancers.   Thanks for all the help you are giving me!!   I couldn’t be enjoying more all this!

Michael and Niamh Flatley

Bernadette Flynn

Both Damien (O’Kane) and I have worked closely with Marie since the beginning of Lord of the Dance in 1996. It has been a very special journey and an honour to have worked and learned so much from one of Irish dancing’s most respected. We have also gained a very special friend with whom we’ve shared many amazing memories. We’d like to thank Marie for everything, for the wonderful opportunities, incredible experiences and the lifelong friendships. Here’s to you Marie and many more good times shared together.

Cathal Keaney, winner of the Award for Excellence in Innovative Irish Dance Choreography, Reflects on the experience

“The Vanishing Lake set dance completion was one of the highlights of my dancing career and I really enjoyed the whole experience. The event gave me the opportunity to be creative and do something different. As a dancer who makes up all my own steps this was the perfect opportunity to be creative whilst giving an opportunity to compete against other senior dancers without any other distractions of costume; just pure dancing- dancing at its best. I really enjoyed this.
I felt amazing when I was called out as the winner as I was not expecting it and the standard was so high- just to be taking part was great. Winning the competition has helped my confidence in competitive dancing and encouraged me to push myself harder and develop more intricate steps.
The Award has enabled more to participate in more competitions, attend more classes, and receive physiotherapy treatment when I was injured- it has and will help me to achieve my full potential in the future.
Overall I think the competition was a great experience and another step in the right direction for Irish Dancing and we are all truly indebted to the Marie Duffy Foundation for its conception and execution”.
Only once in a blue moon do we have the honour and delight of crossing paths with someone of the calibre of Marie Duffy Pask. That has been my privilege in recent years, as Chair of An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha, where Marie and I have often talked the talk, but more importantly, she has always walked the walk! For that is the character of Marie Duffy. As a renowned Irish dancing teacher, adjudicator and examiner of many years’ standing, Marie has brought, and continues to bring, a wealth of experience, integrity and personal commitment to all her work, both as a teacher and long-standing member of An Coimisiún. For the past 15 years approximately, Marie has also been a wonderful ambassador for all areas of our Irish culture, as she has been one of the driving forces behind highly successful shows such as Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames etc. It was indeed fitting that she was chosen as the first ever honouree of An Coimisiún at the 2011 World Irish Dancing Championships which were held in her native Dublin. Without doubt, Marie is THE FIRST LADY OF THE DANCE!