Line Dance Flashmob draws big crowd to Athy
Footloose in Athy Photos: Aisling Hyland
ATHY’s newly refurbished Emily Square was transformed into a lively hub of dancing on 2 May, as the town hosted its first ever International Line Dance Flashmob.
Organised in a collaborative effort by local instructor John Read of John’s Bootleggers and Athy Town Promoters, the event marked Athy’s debut participation in the global initiative, which sees dancers around the world perform synchronised routines on the same day each year.
The gathering brought together more than 150 line dancers, alongside hundreds of spectators who filled the square to soak up the atmosphere and take part in a bit of dancing.
Participants travelled from across Ireland, with even a number of dancers making the journey from the UK after discovering the event online.
One star participant was 90-year-old Morag Dillon from the Athy Fitsticks group, who showed off her skills on the square.
The event also attracted strong local support, with public representatives including cllrs Brian Dooley, Aoife Breslin and Mark Leigh in attendance. Backing from Kildare County Council, along with assistance from local Gardaí and Civil Defence, helped ensure the smooth running of the event.
The event’s success has already paved the way for the future, with plans confirmed for the flashmob to return next year.
“It’s going to be bigger and better than ever,” said Patricia Berry from Athy Town Promoters.
