Patrick O'Dea

Born in Quilty, Co. Clare, Patrick and his family moved to Enfield in north London when he was two years old. He began dancing at the age of five when he attended a workshop given by Joe and Siobhán ODonovan in Camden Town. He immediately loved the exhilaration of learning new steps and continued to learn from them and also from Mick and Breda ODonovan.

When just turned 14, Patrick took over the weekly set dancing class in Greenwich where he astonished the adult class not only with his encyclopaedic knowledge of the sets and the artistry of his footwork, but also with his erudite and lucid teaching style. Now established as one of the leading experts in traditional Irish dancing, Patrick teaches throughout North America and Europe.

It is a great pleasure to welcome him back to Camden, where it all started for him. This is an opportunity not to be missed by those who, while they may have been dancing for some years, have yet to see a real Dancing Master at work.