Legendary Irish dance teacher passes away

PICTURED in 2013, Geraldine Ryan OAM (centre) regularly travelled around Victoria using public transport teaching Irish dancing to mostly children at local halls, including here in Hamilton. Lily Bester, Grace Kearney, Nyah Bester and Kimberly Laight were just four of her many students over the 19 years she taught locally. Photo: SPEC FILE.

By Mark Rabich

December 02, 2023 | 11:00 AM

SOME locals may remember Geraldine Ryan (née O’Shea) OAM, the indefatigable Irish dance teacher who used to run regular weekly classes at St Mary’s Hall - she passed away last Saturday, November 25, aged 93.

Geraldine was known for being seemingly tireless with her travel throughout regional Victoria, usually using public transport to visit towns and teach, covering about 3000 kilometres each week to locations as far as Mildura and Wodonga.