Ten years of friendship, , glitz and dancing for Cork group 

Glitz Dance and Choral Cabaret Group Cobh is celebrating 10 years of sparkle, glamour and incredible performances this year.

Founders Julie Murtagh O’Connell and Hayley Gould have been behind the group, which has become a cornerstone of Cobh’s vibrant arts scene since the very beginning.

“Strictly Cobh Dancing has been unreal,” says participant Tom Moore.

“The Glitz crew are like a second family now, always laughing, always ing. Hayley keeps us on our toes (literally), and Julie, well, she’s the reason I haven’t tripped over my feet too many times!”

Julie and Hayley never tripped up.

“Hayley and I shared a vision that laid the foundation for what would become a thriving local dance and cabaret group,” says Julie.

The winners of the recent 10th Strictly Anniversary Dance Extravaganza were Dana Duggan and Josh McKevitt dancing a waltz, and Leah Warner and Sean Manley Kelly who did a contemporary dance.

“We were privileged to have Sonia O’Sullivan as a judge and surprise judge Mickey Harte,” says Julie. “He played a set afterwards that was spectacular.”

The group’s special bond, and partnership lasting a decade, has remained steadfast.

All through this time, Julie has been on her own cancer journey.

Julie recalls how Glitz came about and how special bonds and friendships were formed as a result - despite her illness.

“Both Hayley and I participated in the first Strictly Cobh Event,” says Julie, 57.

“After the success of Strictly, I saw an opportunity to create space for adults who wanted to explore dance and performance.

“Hayley, with her history of dance, seemed like the perfect partner to create Glitz.”

It was around this time that Julie began to get sick.

“In 2015, after the first Strictly I began to feel unwell,” says Julie.

“I underwent tests, and two tumours were discovered in my bowel. It was a huge shock for me that came out of the blue.”

Julie knew what was next. Her husband Eamonn was living with a cancer diagnosis.

“I knew what Eamonn had gone through, chemotherapy and surgeries, and so I knew what lay ahead,” says Julie.

“Following surgery and chemotherapy treatment, I was given the all-clear in 2016.”

When Julie hurt herself while gardening in 2020, she wasn’t too concerned about her injury, but Eamonn urged her to get checked out.

“My side swelled up and Eamonn said it didn’t look right,” says Julie.

“I thought the swelling was from pulling and dragging the lawn mower.”

But it wasn’t. The cancer was back.

“I had had two more surgeries and more chemotherapy,” says Julie.

Meanwhile, Eamonn’s health deteriorated.

“During one of my medical stays in Dublin, Eamonn’s health began to fail,” says Julie.

“The doctors made sure I got home to be with him in his final moments. Eamonn died in April, 2021, aged 63.”

Julie, who was always surefooted and resilient, had a lot of organising to do after her husband died.

“It was difficult after surgery,” she says.

“I was feeling the loss and still trying to recover from surgery and trying to recover from grief. I just had to go with it.”

After a fall on holidays in 2023, another tumour appeared on Julie’s pelvis which damaged her spine.

Her cancer treatment and maintenance is ongoing.

Julie’s resilient and indomitable spirit is evident.

“I being on stage with the chemotherapy attached to my hip, showing the dancers the moves below on the dance floor,” she recalls.

Julie is some mover.

“I’m good at movement,” she says.

“I love dancing. It gives me a focus. I spend evenings creating routines with Hayley.”

Julie’s love of dancing has been a help to her in difficult times

“It takes the attention away from cancer.

“It’s true that dealing with cancer is no easy journey,” says Julie.

“I often feel tired and have loss of appetite. I deal with the bad days, and I always acknowledge the good days.”

I being on stage with the chemotherapy attached to my hip, showing the dancers the moves below the dance floor..

She acknowledges the fantastic provided by her family and friends.

“I always had great from my sisters Katrina and Gillian, and from my children Sean and Leah.

Julie is good at living life and dealing with life.

“It’s been a rollercoaster since my diagnosis in 2015,” she its.

“There is no denying that, but treatments are getting better, and more and more people are living with cancer.

“You can live with it. We have never let it stop our lives. We’ve just created our lives around it.”

The success of Glitz has been a rollercoaster ride too.

“When Julie rang me with the aim of forming a dance and performing cabaret group after the first Strictly, I was a bit nervous,” its Hayley, who has performed jazz, ballet and contemporary dance since a young age.

“Twelve people came to our first meeting and then it just grew and got bigger and bigger!”

Julie and Hayley clicked. The community of Cobh clicked.

“People who participated in Glitz got out of their comfort zone,” says Hayley.

“There was a great buzz at rehearsals every Wednesday night.

“The sense of community spirit was just amazing.

“The whole community came out and watched our performances from 2016 onwards when Glitz played a significant role in every Strictly Cobh Dancing event, ultimately taking on the responsibility of producing and choreographing the shows.”

Hayley’s family got into the groove.

“My daughter Ava is involved back-stage,” says Hayley.

“My sons Shay and Jake are getting involved in Glitz next year.”

People hot-footed it to the local GAA club to Glitz.

“ing Glitz has been such a great experience,” says Niamh Crowley.

“The Glitz crew made me feel right at home from day one.

“Hayley’s energy and Julie’s constant kept me going even when the nerves started to go!”

Glitz is a diverse and inclusive group, welcoming of all ages and dance levels.

From 20-year-olds to those in their mid-70s, and from absolute beginners to experienced dance teachers, Glitz fosters a ive and creative environment with from Cobh and beyond.

Over the years, Glitz has also helped to raise funds for numerous local causes including Cobh Community Hospital, Cobh Pirates Rugby Club, and the Cobh St Patrick’s Day Festival.

Julie did what her husband told her.

“He said, go do it or shut up about it!”

She didn’t drag her feet.

She was staying alive and feeling alive.

“I decided I wasn’t going to lie down to cancer, and that the good days were going to be great days, and I went after whatever ambitions and dreams I had.

“Eamonn would always say if you do that, then at least you can say you tried.”