Connie Ryan was an extraordinary man. A man who was instrumental in the revival of set dancing, and who taught his love for dancing to hundreads of people. But not for Connie a strict teacher/pupil approach, but more like a leader passing on his hnowledge and love of his talent. Classes were conducted in a happy, friendly, sociable and fun environment. Everybody whether actress, ambassador, priest or zoologists, enjoyed themselves, learned their dancing, and made new friends.
Connie also spent much of his time collecting the sets. He would make many visits to an area, patiently talking to his contact, and dancing the sets many times, to be sure it was right before himself would teach the dance. This was all before the advent of videos, books etc.
Connies love of dancing was passed on to him by his father. His home was known as a "dancing house". But it was only after a serious eye problem denied him playing his first love - hurling - that he put all his energies into dance
This weekend is a celebration of Connies "Mighty" talent, where dancers from Ireland, Great Britian, Europe, the USA and Asia will "go out on your left and back on your right", in memory of a mighty man, who left us a huge legacy in our appreciation of our own culture
This book written by Michael Tubridy, Connie's long time friend and dancing coleague, outlines the life and times of the one and only Connie Ryan, dancing master extraordinaire, who spearheaded the set dancing revival, during the 1980's and 1990's.
60 page, A5, available from;-
Michael Tubridy, 42 Woodlawn Park, Dundrum, Dublin 14.
Price: eur6, plus postage and packaging, (eur1 for Ireland and UK, eur2 for Rest of Europe, and eur3.50 for the rest of the world)