The Manchester based multi award-winning Irish dancer; James Keegan who is one of the principal dancers of the world-famous Lord of the Dance show is just one of the stars who has confirmed his appearance at a special Young, Gifted & Green (YGG ) reunion concert for the Manchester-Mayo Gathering. The special event will take place on Friday, August 2 at the prestigious Ballina Arts Theatre in County Mayo, Ireland. It will feature performances from former members of YGG and the Keegan Academy of Irish Dance, along with a host of special guests from Manchester and performers from Mayo which include the Atlantic Rhythm Production company and Carmel Gunning. The group is still looking for other performers and companies from Mayo who would like to get involved with the event.
Tony Hennigan, one of the organisers of the event and the creative director of the troupe which was based at St Bede’s College, said: “The idea for the reunion came from Louise Keegan who was the group’s choreographer and now has her own Irish Academy with her brother James. They have already been in touch with a number of former members who are scattered around the globe. We want to try and trace as many of the hundreds of performers and special guests that have been involved with group over the last 15 years.
“Everyone is being invited to either come along to perform or just to enjoy this special one-off concert and weekend celebrations. For further information they can email [email protected] or contact me direct on 0044 791 251 2977. ”
Vincent Roche, chair of the Mayo North Welcome Home Festival, which incorporates the Manchester-Mayo Gathering, said: “I look forward to welcoming a big influx of visitors from Manchester and other UK centres to north Mayo for the Welcome Home Festival which runs from 1 to 9 August, 2013. We will have a full programme of day and night entertainment laid on for visitors, culminating in a gala dinner with former President, Mary Robinson. We can guarantee everyone a great time in Mayo. Full details of the programme are available on www.northmayo.ie ”
