JERUSALEMA CHALLENGE
Stepping Up to
THE CHALLENGE FF/P Ray McMonagle talks to Adam Hyland about DFB involvement in the dance craze raising spirits during lockdown.
O
ne of the more uplifting sights of the most recent phase of the pandemic has been the Jerusalema dance challenge that has gone viral across the globe. Originally hitting our shores when the Swiss police challenged their Irish counterparts to match their efforts, gardaí took on the task with gusto and produced an eyecatching video that showcased their commitment to community spirit, but DFB members were more than keen to join in, and were part of a routine that was aired on the Late Late Show in February. Though suggestions had been made within the DFB about doing their own version, the TV appearance proved to be a perfect way to take part.
Forming part of the multi-agency routine in the RTE studio.
SPIRIT
“We had seen the Garda dance and it was certainly one of the best videos out there in terms of raising community spirits,” says FF/P Ray McMonagle. “It really showed what they were about in terms of community, the place they fill in Ireland, and they put their own spin on it with the Irish dancing and the horses that were the star of the show. “There were a few leaks on social media showing Gardai dancing on rooftops, so we sort of felt something was coming down the road, and we were almost braced for it. There were a lot of people suggesting that maybe we should do our own version and there was some interest in the job. I started to get a lot of calls and texts about it, but without anyone really coming forward themselves to volunteer to take part.”
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