Flanaghan, John

Clog dancer from Amble, Northumberland.

Father of  clog dancers Mark Flanaghan, Jim Flanaghan, John Flanaghan (jr) and Eddie Flanaghan, all of whom also danced.  The family were also custodians of the Amble sword dance.  In addition to his sons his only other pupil was Eddie May.  Said by Eddie May to have won the Northumberland and Durham Championship, perhaps in Newcastle, and have been beaten in a later contest by Eddie May.

Danced as a trio with sons Mark and John, all doing the same steps, although he also danced on his own.

Perhaps because of the link to the local sword dance he danced to jigs as well as hornpipes.

Eddie Flanaghan was able as to show the IRT two steps and part of a third which he had learend from his father.

Information derived from an interview with Eddie Flanaghan 25/3/1981 and Jim Flanaghan also on 25/3/1981.