Derry dancer Tiernagh Canning starring in ‘Lord of the Dance’

Tiernagh Canning’s beaming smile said it all.

The ubertalented Irish dancer from Feeny is living her best life currently wowing audiences as Saoirse, the female lead in Michael Flatley’s sizzling ‘Lord of the Dance’.

Appearing in the Millennium Forum all week, Tiernagh (23) took a quick break from rehearsals to speak to DerryNow about the whirlwind of A’ Levels, Zoom auditioning for ‘The Impossible Tour’ in Taiwan, and home audiences.

Fondly recalling her introduction to Irish dancing, she said: “I went to St Colmcille’s Primary School in Claudy. My mammy put me into an Irish dancing after-school club, with Sharon McCaul, when I was about six or seven and I don’t remember a world without it.”

Tiernagh’s parents, Fidelma and Martin Canning, also encouraged her brother and sister to do Irish dancing.

“Cian did it for about a year or so,” said Tiernagh, “and Becky did it for a good while but she wasn’t as much of a fan of competing as I was.

“I loved Irish dancing instantly. When I first started, mammy was a bit reluctant to put me into feiseanna. She was a bit hesitant about me wearing a wig and makeup but the more I got into it, it was inevitable,” laughed Tiernagh.

“I was lucky enough to win All Ireland, Great Britain, All Scotland, and Ulster Championships when I was competing. I also won second in the World Championships,” she added. “Derry Feis was one of my favourite competitions. It was a really prestigious event and being in Derry it was a special one. I actually did win it a few times as well.

“It was held in the Millennium Forum and that’s where we are doing ‘Lord of the Dance’ now, so it is like a full circle moment. It is very special,” said Tiernagh.

Tiernagh pictured with dance sensation Michael Flatley.

A past pupil of Thornhill College, Tiernagh described herself as a “secret nerd”.

“I was always a fan of the sciences,” she said. “I studied them to A’ Level before going on to Ulster University to do my degree in Personalised Medicine.

“My interest in, maybe, dancing in ‘Lord of the Dance’ began in 2018 when I saw the show in Derry. That was the first time I realised it was a real possibility.

“Before then, I hadn’t really thought about Irish dancing as a future career. However, watching the fantastic dancers, I remember thinking it was really, really cool and how amazing it would be to be part of the show.

“Initially I thought I might tour with the show before going to university but when I finished my A’ Levels, covid happened and there were no tours happening, so I went to university.

“After a year and a half, I auditioned for ‘The Lord of the Dance: The Impossible Tour’ which was being staged in Taiwan. My audition process was a bit strange. It took place in the middle of covid and it was over Zoom, from my shed in our garden, completely mad. I just thought, ‘What have I got to lose?’ and gave it a go,” said Tiernagh, who received an email a few weeks later telling her she had been successful. She then joined the cast following a period of quarantine in Taiwan.

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“I just remember it was a random Wednesday and I started crying right away. Mammy and daddy were buzzing,” she added.

“They got me into dancing when I was young and they took me to classes three times a week and they were so proud. I am really lucky they did that because I am able to live my dream now because of them.

“I got on well in Taiwan and when restrictions were lifted at the end of 2021, they were starting their 25th anniversary tour and I was lucky enough to get my place in the cast.

“A couple of months after I joined the show, I started doing the lead role of Saoirse, who is known as ‘The Good Girl’. I am loving every minute of it and I have actually been able to work with Michael Flatley as well which is incredible and a bit surreal.

Tiernagh is enjoying dancing to a home audience.

“This week in Derry has been absolutely amazing. I have been fortunate enough to travel around Britain, Europe, Dubai and Taiwan but dancing in front of a home crowd in Derry is the best feeling ever. The audiences have been unbelievable and having family and friends in the audience is just the best feeling,” said Tiernagh, who paid tribute to her parents and her dancing teacher Sharon McCaul for all their support.

Looking forward to a short break before the show moves to Belfast from December 27 to 30, Tiernagh added: “I am loving every minute of touring and I know I am really lucky to be in this position so I am going to keep dancing for another few years.”