Isabel Woods lost the joy for dancing after the terrible early death of her first son in a caving accident.
It would be 14 years before Isabel began dancing again. Now she is still dancing, aged 97.
On Thursday, Isabel was celebrated for her set dancing skills and championing of its benefits at a gathering in a south Belfast hall.
Family, friends and fellow dancers also gathered to celebrate Isabel’s birthday.
Isabel, in her day a record breaking long distance cyclist, was always interested and excelled in dancing - including tap and ball room - from her early teens right through to her adult years.
“Then I lost my first son and I did not then dance for 14 years after that as you need some joy in your heart to dance,” says Isabel.
David Woods died while caving in the Tullybrack and Bellmore Hills in Fermanagh in early 1981. His body could not be recovered.
Her return to dancing in 1994 followed a conversation about music. But the dancing part happened “sort of accidentally”.
A friend mentioned a set dancing group that met at Ashley Hall in south Belfast.
The plan, says Isabel, was for her and husband Peter to head down to listen to some music and watch those taking part.
But not a minute passed after taking their seats before Mary Fox, the renowned set dancing teacher and a founder of BelfastTrad, came over. They were missing two from an eight person group.
“All of a sudden we were in the middle of this swirling mass,” remembers Isabel.
So began her return to dancing, at the age of 65. Isabel’s previous experience helped her master the steps, though there are approximately 200 different sets that originate from all over Ireland.
After a time, Isabel and Peter, who passed away several years ago, also became part of the Carryduff Set Dancing Club, which meets every Thursday at St Joseph’s Parish Centre, Knockbracken.
It was at the centre on Thursday evening Isabel was honoured for her work promoting set dancing and all its benefits, particularly for older people. It was also a celebration of the great grandmother’s 97th birthday.
Mary Fox hosted a ‘This is Your Life’ event detailing Isabel’s 30-year involvement in, and support of, set dancing.
She was presented with a sculpture made from horseshoe nails depicting eight dancers and two musicians. It was crafted by Mick Mulkerrin.
Other remarkable achievements were remembered.
Isabel was once described by Cycling Ireland as “the most prolific record breaker in the history of road records in Ireland”.
Her most famous record was Ireland’s End to End from Mizen Head in Co Cork to Fair Head in Co Antrim in 1955.
She completed the route along much less forgiving roads than now in 23 hours and two minutes.
That record held for 52 years until Zimbabwean-born Rose Leith set a new one in 2007.
Today, Isabel, the author of two books, is a passionate promotor of set dancing.
“Set dancing is active and keeps the mind active as you have to remember all the moves, but it is also social as you are meeting different people,” she says.
“When you make the mistakes that is when you get the good laughs and there is where the fun comes in.
“There’s no dress code, can be high up or casual. And you do not have to come with a partner.”
As for Isabel’s future as a dancer, she vows to continue for as long as she can see where she is going.
After revealing she is, in fact, registered blind, Isabel jokes: “I think I can do most of the steps blindfold now anyway.”
And she adds: “I have no notion of stopping.”
