Dancing troupe to be in two places at once

THEY say you can’t be in two places at once, but the country’s most famous traditional dancing troupe will prove that wrong on St Patrick’s Day.

The Bru Boru dancers found themselves in a dilemma when prestige invitations were received to perform in Latvia and China for the March 17 celebrations in both countries.

The Latvian invitation came from Ireland’s ambassador to that country, Tim Mawe, who asked the troupe to perform in the country’s capital, Riga. Fast on its heels came a similar invite from Ireland’s Consul General in Shanghai, Nicholas O’Brien, asking the troupe to take part in celebrations in that city.

Bru Boru performed in Shanghai last year en route to representing Ireland at Expo in Japan. So successful was that visit that the Irish Consul saw fit to invite them back for the March 17 celebrations this year.

That created problems for a troupe whose dancing talents are now recognised virtually the world over.

The troupe members were so honoured at receiving the invitations to Latvia and China they were very anxious to fulfil them both if at all possible. And after a lot of deliberating they have come up with a compromise that has been given the nod of approval in both Riga and Shanghai.

Bru Boru has decided to divide its resources and send separate groups to the two cities, where they are promising spectacular performances for their hosts.

Bru Boru artistic director Una Ni Mhurchu, who will travel with the group to Riga with her husband, Senator Labhras O’ Murchu, the Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann Director General, said they are honoured to be acknowledged in the way they have been by the diplomatic service for two such prestigious occasions.

The mayor of Cashel, Dan Dillon, said any organisation would be thrilled to receive one international invitation for St. Patrick’s Day but it is a measure of Bru Boru’s immense standing worldwide that their talented services are being sought in two countries.

“Cashel is very proud of Bro Boru and of the way they have put the town on the world map,” he said.

“Its fantastic that they can take up both invitations and I have no doubt they will do town, county, and country proud in Riga and Shanghai.”