DUBLIN -- In Dublin, a place where Irish Step Dancing is religion, there is one "Lord of the Dance" who hails from Hamden.
Jim Murrihy, who began learning the art of Irish Dance at age three at Wethersfield's Griffith Academy, now produces and choreographs Dublin's "Belvedere Irish Nights," a high-energy show near the center of the city.
Murrihy, 44, worked his way up the ladder in the world of competitive Irish Step Dancing, eventually catching the eye of dancing legend Michael Flatley, who helped create and headline the world famous "Lord of the Dance" show.
"I toured with Lord of the Dance for seven or eight years," Murrihy said. "And I decided to move to Ireland."
Murrihy also spent years as the lead dancer in the "Lord of the Dance Las Vegas" show which played at the New York, New York Hotel and Casino.
These days, Murrihy is a family man -- he works as an accountant in Dublin by day -- but tends to his Irish music and dance show at night, entertaining visitors from all over the world in an intimate pub setting at the Belvedere Hotel.
Murrihy's dance company, called "Damhsa," travels around Europe as well.
Despite his impressive resume, he was quick to credit his teachers back in Connecticut for his success: "Never forget where you're from," he said.
To find out more about Belvedere Irish Nights click here.
To read about our trip to the Guinness Storehouse, click here.
And to learn about the new direct Aer Lingus flight from Bradley Airport to Dublin, click here.
