Riverdance plays tribute to Joan in Achill

Anton McNulty

Just before they headed off to China on an eight month tour, the Riverdance troupe performed a special concert in Achill on Friday night in a tribute to the late Joan Egan.
Close to 300 people packed into ÓstΡn OileΡn Acla for the unique staging of the world famous Riverdance concert in memory of Joan Egan, who was a former Director of Riverdance and Chief Executive of Tyrone Productions.
Joan and her husband Gabriel Egan, the former RTÉ radio soccer commentator have been coming to Achill for many years and they have a house on the island. Sadly, Joan died in August 2015 following a battle with Motor Neurone Disease and she was buried in Slievemore Cemetry.
In a tribute to life and as a fundraiser for the Irish Motor Neurone Association and the Galway Hospice, her former Riverdance colleagues, Moya Doherty and John McColgan brought Riverdance to Achill.
A purpose built stage and sound system were installed in the hotel for the night and 14 members of the dance troupe performed on the night. The performance was described as one which would ‘make the hairs on the back of your head stand up’.

Tribute
Once the concert was over, the dancers were put on a bus to Dublin Airport where they flew to China for the beginning of their tour of the country. Speaking at the concert, Moya Doherty paid tribute to Joan and all the work she accomplished during her 40 year career in the television and theatre business.
Her greatest accomplishment was the spectacular production of the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics at Croke Park in 2013 which featured U2, Nelson Mandela, Mohammed Ali and a host of international guests.
Local singer songwriter, Graham Sweeney and Gabriel Egan and his String Quartet performed before the main act while renowned singer songwriter Declan O’Rourke also performed late into the night.
Local resident John Sweeney, who knew Joan for over 20 years, said having Riverdance in Achill was a fitting tribute to Joan and a magical moment for the community.
“Joan was an extraordinary woman and helped so many people with their careers. She loved Achill so much and always wanted to see Achill flourishing and thriving. When so many cities would love to stage Riverdance, it was amazing to see it here in Achill. It was a wonderful night and fitting tribute to Joan,” he said.