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Recording of an interview with John Scott by Dr Catherine Foley. Scott discusses the gradual development of his interest in dance, his training with Dublin City Ballet and with Meredith Monk, and the founding of the Irish Modern Dance Theatre in 1991 to provide creative and employment opportunities for Irish dancers and choreographers in Ireland. Scott discusses the dance works he has created, his creative collaboration with other artists, and his ground-breaking work with victims of torture, which culminated in the production of the dance work The White Space. More broadly, the interview provides an interesting insight into the evolution of contemporary dance in Ireland. Duration 01:23:49.

Recording of an interview with Jonathan Kelliher, artistic director of Siamsa Tíre the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, by Dr Catherine Foley. Kellhier recalls his early training at Siamsa Tíre and his appointment to its professional performing company at the age of 18 in 1989. He shares his memories of Fr Pat Ahern, founding member of Siamsa Tíre, and his recollections of touring with the company. Kelliher describes the shows he has created for Siamsa Tíre and the way in which they were created. He discusses traditional Irish dancing styles and his preference for the Kerry style. He concludes by outlining his ethos as artistic director and his vision for Siamsa Tíre for the next five years. Duration 00:47:46.

Recording of an interview with Michael Blair, former stage and technical manager and later company manager of the Irish National Ballet. Blair discusses the foundation and evolution of the ballet company, shares his recollections of its founder Joan Denise Moriarty and his memories of touring with the company, and describes the folding of the Irish National Ballet in 1989 and the factors contributing to the company’s demise. Duration 00:27:40.

Recording of an interview with Patricia Crosbie, a ballet dancer and dance teacher. Crosbie discusses her early introduction to ballet, her training with Joan Denise Moriarty, and her time with the Cork Ballet Company and the Irish Ballet Company (later Irish National Ballet). She describes her most memorable roles, including the Widow Quin in The Playboy of the Western World and Odette/ Odile in Swan Lake. She describes her subsequent career as a dancer in London, which included choreographing for and touring with the rock band The Kinks, her subsequent return to Cork in the late 1990s, and her role as Ballet Mistress, teacher and choreographer for Cork City Ballet. Crosbie concludes by sharing her memories of touring in the former Yugoslavia and in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Duration 00:29:50.

Recording of an interview with Brian Bunting, who discusses his early interest in dance and his times with Patricia Mulholland’s School of Irish Dancing as a young boy and teenager. Duration 00:24:34.

This collection comprises a series of interviews conducted by Dr Catherine Foley with dancers, choreographers and other individuals in the field of dance.

Recording of an interview with dancer and choreographer Marguerite Donlon. Donlon discusses her passion for dance and improvisation from an early age and the lack of opportunities to cultivate these interests in a rural community in County Longford. She outlines her introduction to ballet at the age of 14 and subsequent training in London, first in the Royal Academy of Dance and later with the English National Ballet. She describes the commencement of her professional career as dancer and choreographer with Staatsballett Berlin and her growing interest in choreography, which led to her resignation and the commencement of a career in freelance choreography. Donlon concludes with her growing interest in coaching and her plans and hopes for the future. Duration 00:42:30.