Ballinrobe native, Galway Bay FM's Alan Murphy is stepping on to the dance floor as the popular radio presenter is about to open his very own dance school - The Alan Murphy Academy of Irish Dance.
He began dancing at the age of just 4 and his competitive career, which spanned 14 years, saw him win three Connaught titles and countless All-Ireland and World medals. He was recently awarded his TCRG teaching certificate by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha and is over the moon to be opening his own dancing school. "It's a dream come true to be launching my own school," said Alan. "Irish dancing is my passion and I couldn't imagine my life without it. This is something I've been planning for a long time so it's great to finally be realising it. I'm so excited.”
Alan Murphy, who has travelled the world through dancing, is opening his school next month in Ballinrobe. Classes will take place in his brand new studio in the heart of the town and are open to both beginners and advanced dancers.
He says there are so many benefits to Irish dancing and revealed, "Kids get so much out of it. As well as the obvious fitness benefits, they gain huge confidence from being on stage week in and week out. They also learn discipline and how to work hard for what they want. It's a lot of fun too and the kids make friends forever. Dancing has helped me in every area of my life, especially in my media career. It gave me confidence to be myself and the drive to work hard to achieve my goals. I owe a lot to dancing."
Mr Murphy has worked in Galway Bay FM for over eight years and he currently presents The Social Network weeknights from 8-10. He loves to keep busy and plans to teach dancing whenever he is not on the radio.
He says he is relishing the challenge of having his own school and added, "I'm going to put my all into making each kid in the school the best dancer they can possibly be. I'm keeping class numbers small so that the dancers get the best teaching possible. I want them all to reach their maximum potential and to be full of confidence and self-belief. Irish dancing is more popular than ever and it can lead to so many brilliant opportunities. It's a wonderful skill to have."
The Alan Murphy Academy of Irish Dance is now enrolling for students - for enquiries, contact Alan on 087-2567115.
