Cycling legend featured in TV programme

Cycling legend Isabel Woods, now a keen set dancer for many years is to feature in a BBC documentary television programme airing on Monday, True North: The Joy Of Sets.
Isabel Woods with her husband PeterIsabel Woods with her husband Peter
Isabel Woods with her husband Peter

The 84-year-old now registered as blind from the Ballynahinch Road, attends weekly classes at the Crescent Arts Centre and the Ivanhoe in Carryduff.

Isabel, a one time tap and ballroom dancer, had never considered joining the ‘set club’ until a chance encounter with another enthusiast. She soon found solace in set dancing after the death of her 23-year-old son David. He died in a tragic drowning accident in Fermanagh in 1981, and it was after that she did not have the heart for anything so took a step back from her life for a while.

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“I met this Italian woman at a Taste of Ulster show and we chatted about dancing,” said Isabel. “It was then that she told me of her of love for set dancing.

“I promised her that she would go to her set dancing class but a year went past and I had still not joined. It bothered me that I had promised her but still had not gone to a class.”

Then out of the blue Isabel and husband Peter decided to go one evening. Both had hoped they could simply sit at the back of the class and just enjoy the music.

However, Mary Woods who was taking the class had other plans for the pair.

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Once in, she encouraged them to take part and soon the pair were up enjoying the dance.

“What I love about the the set dancing is the music and there are only really a few steps that you need to know,” said Isabel. “It is very energetic and everyone from young to old can take part. It is very social and great fun. It is very therapeutic. You don’t even have to have a partner.”

Last year Isabel was chosen by Cycling Ireland to be one of 20 people in their Hall of Fame. She held the record for 62 years for cycling the ‘Irish End to End Record’ from Mizen Head in Cork to Fair Head in Ballycastle in 23 hours and two minutes.

Producer and Director Eimhear O’Neill of True North said: “Isabel and Peter are truly inspirational

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and some of the ‘youngest’ people I’ve ever met through their enthusiasm for keeping active in later

life. Set dancing is addictive - we danced every time we filmed! It was a joy to experience the vibrancy

and energy of their world.”

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