McGing Irish Dancers celebrating 40 years of keeping tradition alive

BLUE ASH, Ohio (WKRC) - March Madness has begun for more than just basketball players, this is the busiest time of year for Irish dancers and a Tri-State Irish dance school is celebrating 40 years.

McGing Irish Dancers will perform more than 100 times this month; the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 11, is only the beginning.

Over the years, the Irish dancing school in Blue Ash has grown from about a dozen dancers to more than 200. Mary McGing Duckworth went from student to teacher when she was in college. She says most people weren't familiar with the unique style of dance until Michael Flatley burst onto the scene in the 1990s.

"Then after Lord of the Dance and Riverdance came out, people were like, 'Wow, that's so cool. You teach Irish dancing?!'" says McGing Duckworth.

For some of the dancers, it’s a hobby; for others, it's in their blood.

"I have a whole family that dances. All my cousins dance, and my parents used to dance, and my grandma danced back when she lived in Ireland," says Anna Robertson, a senior in high school who's been dancing since she was 4 years old.

Advanced dancers like Anna head to competitions around the world. They raise money for their travels by performing throughout the year. This month they've got gigs lined up at pubs and restaurants to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

"The room just goes crazy for them. People just love it. It brings joy and happiness across the board. No matter where we dance," says McGing Duckworth.

The St. Patrick's Day parade steps off downtown Saturday at noon.