Monica Gavin (née O’Connell) (b. 1933)

From 1954 until 1974, Monica Gavin was a student and professional dancer with Joan Denise Moriarty. She discusses the complete personality of Miss Moriarty, her manner and style, her persona and her great gift for dance. She recalls the professional collaboration between Joan Denise Moriarty and Prof. Fleischmann. She has clear memories of performances at the old Opera House in earlier times, and she describes the great assistance provided to the dance company by the local ICA members while the company was on tour. She remembers by name the dancers and the stage management personnel during their days on tour in Ireland and abroad. She maintains that Ms. Moriarty was well before her time in that she had a huge interest in folk theatre and dance and she recalls the great sadness surrounding the resignation of this fine lady.