Biography

Dr Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain is an ethnochoreologist and Course Director of the MA in Irish Traditional Dance Performance and MA Irish Dance Studies programmes at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Ireland, where she teaches Irish dance skills, Irish music and dance studies, Western Art Dance History, Music and Dance education and ethnochoreology to undergraduate and postgraduate students. As an accomplished performer and teacher of Irish music song and dance, she delivers workshops and seminars internationally and is a recognized expert in the Irish traditional music and dance world featuring in many broadcasts and documentaries on radio and television as cultural commentator. Her book Jigs to Jacobites (2018) was co-authored with designer and illustrator Michael McCabe and was funded by The Arts Council. An earlier book The Terminology of Irish Dance was published in 2008 by Macater Press and in 2013 she was commissioned by Dance Ireland to write and article on Contemporary Irish step dance. Her current research involves collaborative work with physiotherapist Amanda Clifford investigating the potential benefit of music and dance for older adults. They have published extensively on arts and health interventions.

Research Interests

Creative processes and competition culture within the Irish step dance idiom; music and dance of the Diaspora;the relationship between music and dance; Music , dance and education;Limerick Soundscape and Arts in Health.

Professional Activities

Education

  • 2010 University Of Limerick - PhD
  • 1998 University Of Limerick - Master of Arts

Association

  • Chairperson, ICTM Ireland
  • Board member, Dance Research Forum Ireland
  • Vice-Chairperson, An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha
  • Member of Castletroy Branch, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann

Committee

  • AHSS Faculty Board,
  • Coiste na Gaeilge,
  • AHSS Management Committee,
  • Library Committee,
  • Research Academy Panel,
  • Blas Academic Board,
  • BA Course Board,
  • Irish World Academy Co-ordination Group,

Employment

  • University of Limerick - Lecturer in Dance
  • Williams College MA USA - Guest Artist in Dance Spring 2003
  • Coláiste Mhuire gan Smál Luimneach - Assistant lecturer in Physical Education
  • An Roinn Oideachais Milford Primary School Limerick - Oide Scoile

Language

  • Gaeilge
  • French

Outreach

  • Regular performances at Milford Hospice Limerick.

    I have led dance workshops with students at schools in Limerick City and County.

Peer Reviewed Journals

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Books

2008

The Terminology of Irish Dance

Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain (2008) The Terminology of Irish Dance. Madison Wisconsin : Macater Press

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Book Chapters

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Edited Books

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Other Journals

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Conference Publications

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Conference Contributions

2012

Comhrá Ceoil Symposium

Orfhlaith Ni Bhriain, Sandra Joyce, Niall Keegan, Catherine Foley (2012) Comhrá Ceoil Symposium.

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2012

Tower Seminar Series

Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain, Aileen Dillane, Tríona Ní Shíocháin, Margaret Harper, Michael Griffin (2012) Tower Seminar Series.

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2011

ICTM International

Orfhlaith Ni Bhriain, Krisitn Harris Walsh,Kathleen Flanagan (2011) ICTM International.

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2011

Irish Dance in Russia

Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain (2011) Irish Dance in Russia.

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2010

ICTM Ireland Conference

Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain, Niall Keegan (2010) ICTM Ireland Conference.

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2010

Ethnochoreology Sub Group, ICTM. International

Orfhlaith Ni Bhriain, Catherine Foley, Breandán de Gallaí (2010) Ethnochoreology Sub Group, ICTM. International.

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2008

Dance Research Forum Ireland

Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain (2008) Dance Research Forum Ireland.

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2007

Musicology Conference

Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain (2007) Musicology Conference.

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2007

Dance as Art

Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain (2007) Dance as Art.

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2007

Cultúr agus Gaeilge

Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain (2007) Cultúr agus Gaeilge.

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2006

Dance Research Forum Ireland

Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain (2006) Dance Research Forum Ireland.

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2005

A.E.D.E.I.

Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain (2005) A.E.D.E.I..

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2005

Close to the floor

Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain (2005) Close to the floor.

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2005

Irish Studies Symposium

Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain (2005) Irish Studies Symposium.

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2003

Comhaimhseartha Seminar Series.

Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain (2003) Comhaimhseartha Seminar Series..

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2003

Dance History Scholars Conference

Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain (2003) Dance History Scholars Conference.

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2003

September 2000.16th Annual Meeting of the ESEM: John Blacking's Legacy. Queens University Belfast.

Orfhlaith Ni Bhriain (2003) September 2000.16th Annual Meeting of the ESEM: John Blacking's Legacy. Queens University Belfast..

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Published Reports

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Editorials

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Book Reviews

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Other Publications

2007

Representations of Irishness Through Irish Dance.

NiBhriain, O (2007) Representations of Irishness Through Irish Dance..

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2007

The Institutionalisation of Competitive Irish Step Dance

NiBhriain, O (2007) The Institutionalisation of Competitive Irish Step Dance. : Dance Research Forum Ireland :1-10

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