Business

Networking and round table - but no dancing - from Moya

Moya Doherty
Moya Doherty Moya Doherty

THE woman who famously turned the humble Irish jig into a professional art form with the creation of Riverdance will be sharing her entrepreneurial journey - one that has made her one of the richest women in Ireland with an estimated fortune of £50 million - at a Women in Business seminar in Belfast.

Moya Doherty, chair of RTE, will speak about her work ethic and passion as an actor, journalist and television presenter before the Riverdance phenomenon turned her life on its head and led to her becoming the high powered business woman she is today.

Timing, luck and talent have all played their part but the Donegal native - now based in Dublin - says her father's belief in an "honest day's work" was the catalyst that kept her focused.

"My father's attitude definitely had an influence on my work ethic then and still does today," she said. "It's a simple piece of advice, but it worked for me.

"I also tell women not to be afraid of failure - if you have a good idea, do your research, testing and planning and then just 'go for it'. The creative industries is a wonderful place to work and is providing an amazing career for many talented young people today.

"The arts, culture and creativity have an intrinsic value and we need to ensure we have the structures in place to measure that value and put a context on it for business as well as body and soul."

A former Business Woman of the Year and founding director of both Tyrone Productions and Today FM - as well as mother to two sons - Doherty is also a qualified chef and spends precious leisure time cooking up family meals in her family kitchen.

"I love to cook," she added. "I can be as creative as I want to be without worrying about a standing ovation from the audience. As long as my guests are happy, I am too."

Thursday's event in Stranmillis College (starts 9.30am) will include networking sessions, round table discussions and lunch - but definitely no dancing.

"I have never been tempted to put on a pair of Irish dance shoes since I was a child," Doherty revealed, "so recreating a little of Riverdance magic won't be on the menu."