The second annual O’Keeffe Irish Dance Celebration took place in the Saint Maur Fine Arts Auditorium on Friday, May 24. The Saint Maur Irish Dance Club endeavours to keep Sister Carmel’s memory alive by dedicating an Irish dance celebration in her honour at the end of each academic year. Sister Carmel O’Keeffe passed away on October 17, 2011 after serving Saint Maur International School for over 60 years in various capacities including teacher, principal, head of school, and chair of the board.
Once a week after school, members of the Irish Dance Club meet in the upper recreation hall to practise with their Irish dance instructor, Miss Tomoko Shirasawa, Head of the Ardagh School of Irish Dance, based in Tokyo. Miss Shirasawa, the only certified Irish Dancing Commission instructor in Japan (she holds a TCRG — Teagascóir Choimisiúin le Rinci Gaelacha — certificate), also arranges for Irish Dance Club members to participate in various events throughout the year, including the Yokohama World Festa, the St. Patrick’s Day parades in Yokohama and Tokyo, and events on the Yokosuka Naval Base. She accompanied some club members to an Irish Dance Asia competition in Shanghai earlier this year. Some Irish Dance Club members have competed in the United States and Canada and are looking forward to two upcoming competitions this year in Hong Kong and Taipei. — GILLES GAURY
