Ann's dancing career started at the age of 9 with the Peggy O'Neil School in Glasgow, and continued dancing and teaching there until she married in 1956. Ann's father Tommy had been teaching Ceili dancing in and around Glasgow in the 1930s, and Ann followed in his steps, from a young age teaching dancing in youth clubs in various Glasgow parishes. In the 1960s, Ann formed her own class, the Shamrock School, later becoming the Shamrock Academy, then the McHugh-Boyle School when her daughter, Roisin, and former pupil, Caroline Boyle, qualified as TCRGs. In later years, the school name reverted back to the Shamrock Academy.

 

Ann's late husband, Jimmy, was an All Ireland Champion fiddle player, leader of the renowned Four Provinces Ceili and a regular feis musician. This afforded Ann's dancers the opportunity to perform at many concerts and folk festivals throughout the years.

 

Ann was a founder member of An Chomhdháil in 1970 and has held many positions at Branch and Executive level, as well as being an ADCRG, Grading Examiner, and member of the Board of Examiners.

 

Ann passed away on 22nd April 2025. She was a great teacher, friend, and colleague, and will be sadly missed.

 

Thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.

May she rest in peace.