I started Irish dancing when I was three. Irish dancing is very important to me. I love doing it. It's hard to find sports I like because I'm not that competitive. This is me at four, dancing at the Hibernian club in town.

Irish dancing is a big part of my life and I hope to make the highest rank soon.There is a girl who is only twelve years old in the highest rank! One thing I like about Irish dancing is sharing it. At six years old Rowan stopped Irish dancing so I found new ways to share it. I started to teach Pallas and she started at three too. That's me in my costume at 5 yrs old in a crib with Pallas.

My favorite way to share my talent are shows. After my first St. Patrick's week "round up," and my confidence was up, I really started trying harder.

At the age of six I graduated to the next harder level. In my first show at that level, I got to do bang, which is part one of treble jig, while the rest of my level didn't.That was then I knew that Irish dancing is what I want to do. That's me in my intermediate level costume at six.

This year, I worked harder and got to do 'jump' in all of the shows. I hope to work ever harder this year so I can dance in all the dances.

This is jump. I'm at the far left. Enjoy! Listen for the beats made by our hard shoes!

Peace out.

Trinity
(Irish Dancer) :D

I like dancing because it's fun and I get to kick. It's fun doing it because I get to put my foot to my knee. I get to dance at a lot of places like in my school, in my sisters' school, in people's houses, in drinking places, and for old people. When I dance people say it's nice. The music makes me feel like having a party. My costume is comfortable and it's pretty. I like my hair curled. It bounces when I jump. My favorite part is the kick. I already said that. Write that down. It's important. That's it. I'm done.
Pallas 

What does being Irish mean to me? I think it means that my ancestors are from Ireland. I think St. Patrick's Day means that you celebrate being Irish and the history of Ireland and it doesn't just mean dressing up in green clothes and trying to find leprechauns. I think being Irish is really cool because I get to try things some people might not get to try.  It also means I did Irish dancing because I'm Irish and not just because it seemed fun.

I'm Irish in two ways. On my dad's side my Gran is 100% Irish. She's part Murphy and part O'Brien. On my mom's side my Grandpa, Eamonn Finbarr, was born in Kilrush, Ireland. This is a picture of him when he was studying to be a priest. My grandpa came to America in the late 1950's after deciding not to become a priest and met my grandma there. When he was studying to be a priest he went to many countries in Europe and learned 8 languages so he became a language professor at St. Bonaventure University. 

These are my great grand parents. My great grandpa fought for Irish independence and my great grandma was a gunrunner for the Irish. Once the republic won independence he was a policeman for the republic, and they had a family.

I asked a few friends and family what it means to be Irish. He's what they said:

"Having a Irish ancestry and it was difficult having the O' in front of my last name." Gran

"Being Irish means family and friends are stronger than any real or imagined sorrow." Dennis

"I love the spirit of mischief and wit, and a keen appreciation for language that being Irish brings. Being Irish also gives me an appreciation for old things, mossy things, and all things abandoned, preferably made of stone and in a state of decay, found after tromping through a field, Cadbury bar in hand. And I appreciate the fact that I instinctively love rain, and wind, and the sea." Anne

"I appreciate being able to wear an Irish hurling jersey instead of green on St Patricks Day. Clare!" Drew

"It means to have a connection to an ancient people who have a rich hisotry, a colorful storytelling tradition, and the gift of gab." Kerry

What does being Irish mean to you? Or what does your heritage mean to you?

Peace and love,
Rowan