Mayo duo at front of international show taking place in Castlebar

On Saturday, June 14th, the internationally acclaimed Rhythm of the Dance returns to Ireland with a brand-new electrifying show. In the heart of Mayo, the TF Royal Theatre Castlebar will host a two-hour spectacle of heart thumping Irish music. 

This marks the first time the show will be performed in Connacht and for two talented performers, it’s a long awaited homecoming. Shane Moran, musical director of the show is a native of Castlebar while Stephen Gallagher from Foxford will be a lead dancer in the show as they attempt to bring their world touring magic to Connacht audiences for the first time.

What makes Rhythm of the Dance different from other shows is the fact that it's performed with all live musicians on stage. This is the show’s premiere with a brand-new set, new music, new costumes, and a captivating storyline of an Irish hurler turned Irish dancer.

READ MORE: Mayo County Council official apologises for holiday home boycott furore

As the show’s Musical Director, Shane couldn’t be more excited about the upcoming performance in his hometown: “I live two minutes up the road from TF,” laughs Shane. “I’ve been in this business 14 years – my family and friends have heard the stories, but now they get to see it live!” Stephen Gallagher, who started dancing at just seven years old with the Moffatt School of Irish Dancing, has performed in over 15 countries this year alone.

But nothing beats home turf: “There’s something magic about dancing for your own,” Stephen adds. “I’ve been in Attymass, Foxford my whole life – you don’t forget your roots. Performing for people who know your journey, it just hits different.”

Rhythm of the Dance fuses tradition with innovation, blending tap, contemporary, tango and even hip-hop into its high-energy performances. The new production features 15 elite dancers, each with their own solo spotlight, with every instrument on stage being played live, including a very special line-up of local musicians joining for the Castlebar show.

“Every instrument is played live on stage, banjo, fiddle, you name it,” says Shane.

 “We want the musicians to have the floor, to show off, to feed off the crowd. This isn’t about playing quietly in the corner of a pub, it’s about letting rip. I encourage the craic!”

And it’s not just the sound that’s evolved; there’s the new set, new costumes, and a powerful storyline woven throughout. As Shane describes it: “It’s about a hurler with the heart of a dancer. It starts off soft and builds into a crescendo, often the crowd is on its feet after the very first number.”

“I love being able to give young Irish musicians their break,” Shane adds. “There’s so much talent here in the West – sometimes all they need is a phone call. And if two lads from Castlebar and Foxford can do it, why not you?”

READ MORE: Mayo votes for change to skorts rule at historic Camogie Congress

Castlebar native Shane Moran joined Rhythm of the Dance in 2013 and was promoted to Musical Director just three years later. A multi-instrumentalist with 14 years in the industry, Shane has toured internationally and worked with music legends including Dolly Parton. Known for his on-stage energy and passion for giving Irish musicians their big break, Shane is proud to bring the show home to Mayo and showcase a stellar lineup of local talent.

Hailing from Foxford, Co. Mayo, Stephen Gallagher has been dancing since age seven. A proud graduate of the Moffatt School of Irish Dancing, Stephen has travelled to over 15 countries in the past year alone with Rhythm of the Dance. He brings a modern edge to traditional Irish dance, combining different dance styles in his dynamic solo performances. This Castlebar show marks a special moment in his career, performing at home, for his home crowd.

The show will start at 8pm in the TF Royal Theatre Castlebar with doors opening from 7pm. Tickets can be found here at www.tfroyal.ie while the link to the show can be found here at