Marie Duffy

Born in Dublin’s south inner city, Marie Duffy first found fame in the 1960s, dancing on entertainment shows on the newly launched Teilifís Éireann. She went on to become one of Ireland’s foremost dancing teachers – at Inis Ealga and her own Marie Duffy Irish Dance School – mentoring world champions and some of the performers from the original Riverdance line.

Marie has collaborated with Michael Flatley for twenty years, on his shows Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, Celtic Tiger and Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games, amongst others. She choreographed performances for the Oscars and The Prince’s Trust, and for TV shows such as Dancing with the Stars and Britain’s Got Talent. She has served on The Irish Dancing Commission (An Coimisiún) since 1969, and has worked as an examiner all over the world.

In 2011 at the World Irish Dancing Championships, Marie was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her dedication to Irish dance and culture.