Two friends have opened a school in Morecambe to share their passion for Irish dancing with a new generation.
Mollie Donnelly and Shay Hutton have both competed at the highest level of Irish dancing, which was popularised by Michael Flatley's Riverdance.
Since opening the Morecambe Irish Dance Academy in January, the school has gone from strength to strength, and enjoyed its first successful series of performances over the St Patrick's Day weekend.
Dancers from the school performed their energetic routines to enthusiastic audiences in Lancaster and Morecambe over four days.
Mollie, Shay and other dancers delighted onlookers at the Royal Kings Arms Hotel in Lancaster, the Royal Bar & Shaker in Morecambe, and also visited residents at the Chirnside House care home in Lancaster.
LISTEN to Mollie and Shay talking about the Morecambe Irish Dance Academy
WATCH the Morecambe Irish Dance Academy dancers perform at the Royal Kings Arms Hotel in Lancaster on St Patrick's Day weekend.
Mollie and Shay have known each other for a decade, dancing at separate schools and in competitions, before joining forces to open their academy in Morecambe.
As a child, Mollie used to dance at local venues including Ma Murphy's Irish pub in Morecambe, and remembers getting up to dance during Celtic matches on the TV!
Now they are passing on their love and knowledge of Irish dance to their students, some as young as just three years old.
"It was a big part of our childhood, we have a lot of very good memories, and it's nice to be able to bring that to the children," said Mollie.
"I don't think there's anything that can match the energy of when you're watching Irish dancing. Everyone is just blown away, I don't think there's any other dancing that has that wow factor that Irish does."
Pictured below, Lucy and Mollie from the Morecambe Irish Dance Academy
Shay and Mollie said this past weekend was a "milestone" for the new school.
"It's exciting to be able to dance in the community, and share the culture with people," said Shay.
"It's been amazing this weekend, in the local community, to have Irish dancing back. Morecambe was very lively.
"Since we've opened the school, everyone has started to come back together as a dance family."
They are hoping to put on more performances in future, and open further classes in Lancaster and Hest Bank.
The Morecambe Irish Dance Academy is based at The Dance Factory on Yorkshire Street in the West End of Morecambe. They hold classes for beginners and also experienced dancers, who may want to follow in their teachers' footsteps into high level competitions.
"Irish dancing is more like a sport," said Shay.
"The girls take it very seriously, training like Olympians five days a week. I don't think people realise how hard it is on your body.
"There are opportunities there for girls to travel the world. I know girls who are in Asia, Europe performing with Riverdance, and Lord of the Dance. There are a lot of shows now, professionally, with girls earning a full-time wage doing what they love."
You can find out more about the Morecambe Irish Dance Academy at their social media pages.
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