Tir Conaill Academy of Irish Dance

Michael Patrick Gallagher

Born in County Donegal, Ireland,
Michael Patrick Gallagher began his dance career at the relatively late age of eight years, dancing throughout his competitive career with Ann Kerr and the Aodh Rua Academy of Irish Dance. Once started, however, he moved up the competitive dance ranks with lightning speed, winning his first world championship less than one year after starting to learn hard shoe dancing. Over the course of his competitive career, Michael Patrick has won numerous coveted titles, including seven Ulster (regional) titles, five All-Ireland Championships, and a second World title. Michael Patrick has been hailed as “one of the best Irish dancers, ever," by experts in the field.

This two-time World Champion was next invited to audition for the original cast of Riverdance: The Show. After an initial reluctance to leave school, Michael Patrick was soon off and dancing. Advancing quickly to the role of male lead, Michael Patrick spent eight years travelling the world with the cast and crew of Riverdance, first with the Lagan Company and then with the Flying Squad. Dancing over 1200 performances as male principal, he can lay claim to one of the longest and most popular tenures as male lead ever to perform in Riverdance. The talented Gallagher family can also boast of three other world champion dancers, all of whom have all toured over the years with Riverdance and with Lord of the Dance.

Besides his phenomenal dancing, Michael Patrick is also in great demand for his talent as a choreographer. He obtained his TCRG certification in Irish dance from An Coimisiun, with exceptional scores, during a short break from one of his tours. He has a reputation for creating very difficult, rhythmic, and innovative material, and is sought after to conduct dance workshops all over the world. Just recently, Michael Pat also successfully obtained his ADCRG certification, the highest diploma available in Irish dancing, and is now qualified to adjudicate Irish dance competitions worldwide.

Michael Patrick performs frequently all over the world. In April of 2008 he was a special guest star on Dancing with the Stars. He is an amazing dancer and fabulous choreographer, and brings his exceptional skills to the Tir Conaill Acadmy. More on Michael Patrick can be found on his website at www.irishdanceworks.com

Michael Patrick performing on Dancing with the Stars April 2008

Michael Patrick performing at the Tucson Emerald Ball

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