Meet the Dancers (13); Niamh and Padraic ...

Padraic Murtagh is from Reynella, Mullingar and his two boys Charlie and James are proud Mullingar Shamrocks members.  Padraic, who was born and reared on the family farm. is an auctioneer in James L. Murtagh Auctioneers, a long-established family business. Padraic has been part the business since he could talk and walk. He loves cycling, farming, horse racing, GAA and sports in general. Padraic is also the insurance officer for Westmeath GAA who offers advice to club’s on insurance and health and safety. One of the highlights of his life is qualifying for the highly competitive and sought after position in Shamrocks Strictly Come Dancing!

Padraic is a veteran of Mullingar RFC’s Strictly Scrum Dancing;  he didn’t win for what he describes as ‘obvious reasons’. Modestly he dismisses his chances in Strictly Shamrocks. In racing terms he has been over 600 days off track and rates his odds at no better than 200/1. However, horses out on grass have been known to race to shock victories in the past.

Padraic’s dancing partner veterinary nurse, Niamh Kennedy is from Gortletteragh, the heart of Leitrim GAA country. Like many Niamh, did a bit of  Irish dancing as a child but now the football fields of Westmeath and Leinster provide a stage for Niamh to express her talents. Niamh is a dual football player who has been playing for Mullingar Shamrocks for the past four years and has also been a regular player for the women’s team of Mullingar Rugby Football Club where she generally lines out in the centre. On the 12 May, in Strictly Shamrocks in association with The Fence Niamh and Padraic take centre stage as they perfmon the Salsa to the music of Mambo No. 5. Quite the distance from Gortletteragh and Reynella …