An Irish Christmas presented by Kerry Irish Productions

Details

Making a joy-filled return to the United Irish Cultural Center for one night only, Kerry Irish Productions presents, An Irish Christmas. Kick-off your Christmas season and join us on Thursday, December 1, 2022 for a celebration of family and community that showcases some of the great Irish holiday traditions and features award-winning dancers from Riverdance, Lord of the Dance and Celtic Wings. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the show starts at 7 pm.

As seen on PBS and many times at the Irish Center, enjoy the favorites—blessing the butter churn, chasing the wren, and dancing on the half-door. A segment of the show features sean-nós dancing, an old style of dance originating in Connemara, that strips down the conventions of Irish dance with an improvisational approach that focuses on the rhythms and the joy of dancing.

Music and dance are the heart of Irish culture, and they are at the core of this show. The company features top-flight musicians and vocalists such as Mark Alfred on percussion and bodhrán. Mark, from Carrickmacross Co. Monaghan, is the award-winning musical director for Riverdance and an in-demand percussionist for major recording artists across the U.S. and Europe. But Mark really shines on the bodhrán…playing with an energy that brings crowds to their feet with excitement.

Maeve Coughlan, dance director for the show, has assembled a cast of award-winning dancers that have appeared in Riverdance, Lord of the Dance and Celtic Wings. Having danced with Riverdance for 10 years herself, Maeve brings a love and in-depth knowledge of Irish dance to the show. Maeve commented: “Irish dance has been my passion since my childhood in Waterford, Ireland. I’m so proud to work with these dancers and to share a bit of my home with audiences in the U.S.”

An Irish Christmas is a labor of love for its creator Margaret O’Carroll who fell in love with Irish music and culture growing up in County Kerry in southwest Ireland. When Margaret was asked about why she put this show together she said: “It is extraordinary how closely connected we are to our past. We are a product of so much that came before us, and our traditions inform who we are now. Our Irish culture matters… we come from it, we are shaped by it, we identify with it, we draw from it… and we must celebrate it!"

Nollaig Shona daoibh go léir!

Event Host

United Irish Cultural Center