Oh thank you!! My parents saw the McNiff Irish Dancers on the Ed Sullivan show, and that solidified their determination to share this with their Irish American organization. I started with Joan in 1969, and then danced with Cyril for many years, placing in the Oireachtas, etc. Thank you thank you for posting this and bringing back such wonderful memories!! Back then, I had no idea how young Joan and Cyril were at the time.
This is the style of dance I learned in the late 1950s, though not from the McNiffs. But the steps are very similar. I'm delighted to see this because dance style has changed so much since this time that I sometimes feel like I learned some other kind of dance!
My mother learned step dancing in the 1950s, but in what was called the Munster style. The McNiffs popularized the Ulster style, which continues to this day. Unfortunately it’s been nearly impossible for me to find video of anyone dancing in the Munster style. I wish I could though
@@moiraruff3292 I’d actually shown her some of those a while back. However we did finally find this clip (in poor quality) of the Dorothy Hayden Irish steppers on the Ed Sullivan show, and she said this was very close to the way she danced: ruclips.net/video/-6FMEDKiBn8/видео.html
Laurence - do you know where this b/w footage is from? Could it have been RTE do you think? Thanks = I am archive producer on a programme called Steps to Freedom about the History of Irish Dance
I have written an ebook which includes the person missing from this video, Peter McNiff..The story would be considered historical fiction however there are many true facts about the startup of the group and possibly why Peter died at such an early age..The story is based on a John McNiff and is written by James McNiff...the title is UNDER THE RADAR..
Michael Flatley was a dancer with the Dennehy School of Chicago, not the Golden School of New York. Thanks for sharing this! I remember watching them on Ed Sullivan, too... and I knew all but one of these dancers.
do you happen to have the footage from when McNiff dancers were on the Ed Sullivan show? my mother was one of the dancers from that show.. I believe it was the first time any sort of step dancing was on national television
dirhabogchick Hannah O'Sullivan is my sister and recently shared some old pictures of McNiff's on Arthur Godfrey and the Ed Sullivan Show. I think Larry Redican was the fiddler who supplied the music. He was brilliant!
Oh thank you!! My parents saw the McNiff Irish Dancers on the Ed Sullivan show, and that solidified their determination to share this with their Irish American organization. I started with Joan in 1969, and then danced with Cyril for many years, placing in the Oireachtas, etc. Thank you thank you for posting this and bringing back such wonderful memories!! Back then, I had no idea how young Joan and Cyril were at the time.
I knew all these beautiful dancers. I joined the McNiff school shortly after I came from Ireland in 1958.
Maura Mulligan
How well I remember them - may have had a McNiff teacher in NYC when I was young! Thanks for posting this. Cait
RIP Joan🙏🏻
This is the style of dance I learned in the late 1950s, though not from the McNiffs. But the steps are very similar. I'm delighted to see this because dance style has changed so much since this time that I sometimes feel like I learned some other kind of dance!
My mother learned step dancing in the 1950s, but in what was called the Munster style. The McNiffs popularized the Ulster style, which continues to this day. Unfortunately it’s been nearly impossible for me to find video of anyone dancing in the Munster style. I wish I could though
@@Wafaloo Look for videos of Catherine Foley. She does some collected Cork dances.
@@moiraruff3292 I’d actually shown her some of those a while back. However we did finally find this clip (in poor quality) of the Dorothy Hayden Irish steppers on the Ed Sullivan show, and she said this was very close to the way she danced: ruclips.net/video/-6FMEDKiBn8/видео.html
Luv u uncle jim ill miss you
Wonderful! One thing: Donny Golden didn't teach Michael Flatley-he taught Jean Butler, the female lead of Riverdance.
Thanks for putting this up!
Laurence - do you know where this b/w footage is from? Could it have been RTE do you think? Thanks = I am archive producer on a programme called Steps to Freedom about the History of Irish Dance
wonderful
one was my uncle jim Erwin who passed away on Monday 7/22/13
Brilliant !!!
El año en que yo nací!!!! Fantásticos!
Very Lord of the Dance! I can hear the similarities in that tune and see the inspiration of the formation. Can anyone else?
Jimmy Erwin was my first cousin,though I hadn't met him since the late 80s
I have written an ebook which includes the person missing from this video, Peter McNiff..The story would be considered historical fiction however there are many true facts about the startup of the group and possibly why Peter died at such an early age..The story is based on a John McNiff and is written by James McNiff...the title is UNDER THE RADAR..
Ah! Aunt Peggy Buckley! Miss you.
Musicians: Andy McGann, Larry Redican, Felix Dolan
I hope you enjoyed the video.
Tunes: Music in the Glen / Green Groves of Erin
Michael Flatley was a dancer with the Dennehy School of Chicago, not the Golden School of New York.
Thanks for sharing this! I remember watching them on Ed Sullivan, too... and I knew all but one of these dancers.
do you happen to have the footage from when McNiff dancers were on the Ed Sullivan show? my mother was one of the dancers from that show.. I believe it was the first time any sort of step dancing was on national television
Did you ever find video of the Ed Sullivan performance. I am looking for the same reasons.
correct everyone donny didn't teach michael, buttt he did teach jean butler! i've danced under him. he's amazing.
Nicole Cunniff n
Just heard that it may be Larry Reddican and Gerry Wallace. Any other ideas.
My friend Hannah is in this video!
dirhabogchick Hannah O'Sullivan is my sister and recently shared some old pictures of McNiff's on Arthur Godfrey and the Ed Sullivan Show. I think Larry Redican was the fiddler who supplied the music. He was brilliant!
Where earth ee McNiff school was it co.offaly.
bronx, NY
Who are the musicians?
I wonder if we're related? Joan McKniff
Definitely not Felix Dolan. Could've been Wallace.
I am glad men's kilts are a thing of the past.Great music and dancing.
Caption is inaccurate. Michael was taught by Dennis Dennehy. Donny Golden taught Jean Butler.
I screwed this up a decade ago. thanks for watching.
and Donnie Golden was taught by Jimmy Erwin.
@@laurenceredican2110 lol no worries. As an Irish dancer, I’m happy for these videos.
@@pierrejune you can’t imagine how many people have told me this!! Lol
jimmy erwin is my great uncle