Derry Irish dancing legend Pat Henderson releases memoir

In Derry, the name 'Pat Henderson' is synonymous with Irish dance, music and song. An accomplished dancer, singer, teacher, adjudicator and choreographer, she is perhaps best known for her lifelong involvement with the Derry Feis.

Since bursting onto the scene as a talented young dancer, singer and entertainer, she has graced the stage of Carnegie Hall, featured on BBC and RTÉ television shows and won a host of Derry Feis, Ulster and All-Ireland dancing titles.

Having retired her hugely successful dancing school, the Pat Henderson Academy, in 2021, she has finally found time to reflect on her fascinating career. The result is the book Pat Henderson: My Life in Dance & Song, which will be available in St Columb's Hall during the Derry Feis this week ahead of the official launch on April 28.

Pat told the Derry News: “Even though I have now got the book in my hand, I still can't quite believe it is real.

“Friends and family had been saying to me for years that I should put all my experiences down in writing but I was too busy living life, I suppose, to get round to doing anything about it.

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“Then Covid happened and it basically meant the end of my academy. We were out of action for a long time. I felt, rather than starting it up again, it was probably a good time to bow out, so I was finally able to turn my attentions to this book.”

In collaboration with journalist and writer Mary-Anne McNulty, Pat has spent the last year gathering diary entries, memories and pictures detailing her extraordinary life.

Starting with her early childhood in Elmwood Street, the book takes the reader through all the highlights of Pat's life: as a pupil of legendary Irish dancing teacher Nellie Sweeney; her success in the Derry Feis; her two tours with the Little Gaelic Singers; her infamous dancing partnership with Ron Plummer and, of course, her hugely successful tenure at the helm of the Pat Henderson Dance Academy.

FAMILY FIRST: With husband Michael and (front, from left) children Kevin, Ciara, Maoliosa and Michael Patrick.

She said: “It’s been quite an experience, doing this book. Memories I thought were buried have come flooding back in and it’s been lovely to relive those wonderful days all over again.

“I remember the Little Gaelic Singers like it was yesterday - from the pristine tableware on the boat crossing over to America to the tears of the Irish people at our concerts when they heard songs from back home.

“And the Derry Feis - I think I could have written a whole book on that alone. Both as a competitior and a teacher, the feis meant everything to me.I remember the year I won the Fr McDaid Cup for singing and the senior girls' championship for Irish dancing in the same evening – it is one of my most cherished memories.”

While the book looks back on her working relationships with Derry legends such as James MacCafferty, Ron Plummer, Brendan DeGlin and Cissie Parlour, Pat also takes in family life with husband Michael and children Maoliosa, Ciara, Michael and Kevin.

“I dedicated a whole chapter to Michael,' said Pat, “because he has been at the heart of everything I have done professionally.

Pat enjoyed an enduring and successful dancing partnership with Ron Plummer.

“I don't think I would have had the career that I did if it hadn't been for Michael's support.

“The same goes for my children. They were the ones who encouraged me to write this book and I am so thankful to them for their support.

“I think the book - particularly the pictures in it – captures not only me but all the personalities involved in the Derry singing and dancing scene over the years.

“They are all in the book in one way or another, so in that sense it is as much about them as it is about me.”

A young Pat with all her dancing medals and trophies.

Pat Henderson: My Life in Dance & Song will be on sale this week (Tuesday - Friday) in the foyer of St Columb's Hall.

The official launch is being held next Monday (April 28) in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Great James' Street, at 7pm. All are welcome.