Moyvane siblings step it out in INEC

THE INEC is ready to host the All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championships next month – and no less than three members of one Moyvane family will compete.

Aaron (17), Sean (15), and Leah (13) Slemon will represent Moyvane with pride as the competition finds a new Kerry home for the next three years.

IT’S all dancing shoes and sock glue for the INEC next month. Next February marks the first of many major Irish Dancing competitions that will be held in the INEC Killarney within the next four years, as dancers from all over the world take part in next month’s All Ireland Dancing Championships 2018.

One of the dancing schools involved is Killarney’s own Áine Murphy Dance Academy, and Áine told The Kerryman “The students are working very hard coming up to the competition.

“It’s been non-stop the last few weeks and they’re really looking forward to dancing on the INEC stage, especially since it’s home territory.”

The competition will attract dancers from all over the country, and other countries such as the UK, the US, Australia, and even Russia.

The championships will take place in the INEC for the next three years, ahead of hosting the 2021 World Championships will.

“It’s wonderful,” Áine said. “Most dancing teachers that I speak to, love coming to Killarney, especially to the INEC.”

There are plenty of dancers from Kerry competing from different schools around the county. and Áine has 15 solo dancers and six teams competing next month.

Of these, The Slemon family of Moyvane provides three, as Aaron (17), Sean (15) and Leah (13) take the stage in both the solos and the teams. Sean has been dancing since he was five and holds some of the biggest titles in the world of Irish Dancing. He has won the World title twice; the All Ireland’s three times; the All Scots; and the Great Brits, and competed and placed in the North American Nationals to name but a few achievements.

When the ten-time Munster Champion was asked what keeps him going, he said, “It’s my passion. I enjoy doing it and couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

The family has travelled all over the world for competitions, and Seán admits it’s not always easy.

“We train three-to-four times a week, three-hours-a-session with Áine, seven-days-a-week at home, and one day of strength and conditioning with Pavel in Listowel Fitness Centre.

“We all do it and it’s just become part of our routine...I can’t wait [for next week]. It’s great that it’s so close to home, as before it was usually on in Belfast and Dublin, so it’s exciting for it to be on home territory”.

Aaron, the oldest of the Slemon family, is also preparing for the All Irelands. After a fouryear break from competitions, he’s thrilled to be taking the stage of the INEC.

“I had to come back. I was dancing in shows in Siamsa Tire in the summers and I just missed it. I loved it, so it just drew me back in”.

He has competed in competitions such as the World Irish Dancing Championships, the All Ireland Dancing Championships, the Munster Championships and many others like his younger brother, he can’t wait to take the stage in Killarney and hase the same schedule: Sleep, school, dance, repeat.

Leah Slemon is following fast behind her brothers. With nine years’ of dancing experience, it’s no surprise that this young lady gives her brothers’ a run for their money.

Leah told The Kerryman that “I love meeting new people and going to different places around the world. Dancing really has been amazing when it came to be making new friends.”

Leah is also preparing for the All-Ireland Dancing Championship and is excited and ready to dance her socks off at the INEC.

Like her brothers, she’s preparing for the World Irish Dancing Championships in Glasgow, which will fall on her 14th birthday.

“It’ll be a great way to celebrate my birthday, but first I can’t wait to dance in Killarney.”

It’s set to be quite the exciting year for The Slemon Family and they owe all of their hard work to their teacher Áine Murphy, their parents and especially their great-grandmother Hannah Foley, who was the one to encourage them to start dancing lessons.

Overall, it’s an exciting couple of years ahead for the INEC in Killarney.

Sean and Leah Slemon