Author Angeline King Kelly will discuss her book Irish Dancing: The Festival Story and how Irish dancing is more of a shared experience between Catholics and Protestants than most people realize. The Larne native has documented the history of the Irish dancing festival tradition in Northern Ireland, outlining the ways in which it is a shared cultural experience between Catholics and Protestants. The first ever Irish Dance festival took place in 1928. Billed as "the story of Irish dancers who crossed cultural barriers with a light double heart," the book highlights the ways in which Irish dancing united both communities even during some of the most violent years in the North.
Angeline King, best known for her contemporary novels, Snugville Street and A Belfast Tale, is the writer and researcher of Mid & East Antrim Council's three-year museum exhibition, 'An Irish Dancing Story.'
Angeline enjoys exploring shared culture in Northern Ireland. Her essays on Irish literature have been published in the Irish Times and her short story book, Children of Latharna, which is based on cross-community friendships, is on the reading list of some primary schools in County Antrim. Angeline is a Professional member of the Irish Writers Centre and recipient of the Arts Council Individual Award. She also promotes women's writing through Women Aloud NI. Her blog can be found at: www.angelineking.com/blog