Moving Through and Around Opens at Ramor Arts Centre
A large crowd gathered at the Ramor Arts Centre, Virginia, on Thursday, 5 February, for the opening of Moving Through and Around, a dynamic new exhibition created through Dance Connects in Rural Border Regions, a Shared Island–funded initiative.
Opening the event, Cathaoirleach of Ballyjamesduff Municipal District, Cllr Trevor Smith, praised the exhibition as both “thoughtful and inspiring,” noting the strength of collaboration behind it.
“Projects like Dance Connects show us the real value of culture when it is rooted in partnership and shared purpose,” he said. “Through the Shared Island initiative, this collaboration between Cavan Arts, Queen’s University Belfast, and University College Dublin demonstrates how research, creativity, and community can come together in meaningful ways across borders and traditions.”
A Celebration of Dance in All Its Forms
Moving Through and Around showcases work by artists Helena Hamilton, Aoife McGrath, Sorca McGrath, and Simon Mills, alongside eight dancers from the rural border counties of Cavan, Fermanagh–Omagh and Monaghan:
Ruth Clarke, Marion Crowe, Jamie Fagan, Jessie Keenan, Tina McGurren, Rebeca Sanchez, Aysha Treanor, and Dylan Quinn.
Drawing on traditions as diverse as Sean-Nós, set dancing, hip-hop, Flamenco, jiving, line dancing, Scottish Country dance, and contemporary movement, the exhibition invites audiences to experience dance as something deeply embedded in everyday community life.
Blending visual art, sound, and choreographic elements, the exhibition encourages visitors to “join the dance” through immersive engagements with the rhythms and gestures that shape the rural border region.
About Dance Connects
Moving Through and Around is part of Dance Connects in Rural Border Regions, a Creative Ireland initiative delivered under the Creative Communities on a Shared Island scheme (2023–2027).
The project brings together the local authorities of Cavan, Monaghan, and Fermanagh–Omagh, working in partnership with dance researchers Professor Aoife McGrath (QUB) and Dr Victoria Durrer (UCD).
Cllr Smith also highlighted the important role of Cavan Arts and the Ramor Arts Centre in creating “spaces for dialogue, learning, and connection” within the community.
Cavan Arts Officer Karina Charles Lynch extended thanks to those who supported the project:
“We extend our sincere thanks to Sharon Howe (Creative Cavan) and Emma Clancy (County Librarian, Cavan County Council) for their dedication and contributions to this project. We also gratefully acknowledge the vision and drive of Catriona O’Reilly, former Arts Officer at Cavan County Council, whose leadership was instrumental in getting this initiative off the ground.”
Exhibition Details
Moving Through and Around
Venue: Ramor Arts Centre, Virginia
Dates: Until 21 February
Opening Hours: 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily (during library opening hours)
Main Photo Caption
Moving Through and Around Exhibition – Dance Connects, a Creative Ireland Shared Island Project, opened at the Ramor Arts Centre on Thursday evening.
Front (L–R): Rebeca Sanchez (Flamenco Dance Artist); Karina Charles Lynch (Arts Officer, Cavan County Council); Cllr Trevor Smith (Cathaoirleach, Ballyjamesduff MD); Marian Crowe (Sean-Nós Dance Artist); Catriona O’Reilly (former Arts Officer, Cavan County Council)
Back (L–R): Helena Hamilton (QUB); Professor Aoife McGrath (Project Co‑Lead, QUB); Cllr TP O’Reilly; Cllr Noel Connell; Linda McGavigan (Director of Services, Cavan County Council); Emma O’Brien (Arts Office); Marina Harten (Assistant Arts Officer, Cavan County Council)