Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 25 November 2020

Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht

Impact of Covid-19 on Irish Dance Sector: Discussion

Photo of Johnny MythenJohnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We all know that Irish dancing is in our DNA. As the witnesses said, the first thing that every country in the world will show a person is its national dance, no matter where one goes, whether it is Turkey or China, so it is important. Some of the questions that I was going to ask have already been asked, such as about one-to-one classes, which the witnesses have already explained. Under level 3 restrictions, dancing classes cannot even operate. There is rumour and speculation that there will possibly be a lockdown in January too, so the witnesses are facing much turbulence in their dancing classes.

Do the witnesses have any thoughts on Irish dancing being categorised as a sport, compared with ballet which is supposed to be an art? I understand that it takes ten years to build up a dance school. After Covid-19, what future do the witnesses see? How do the witnesses think Irish dancing should be supported?

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