4. The Arts: Lorraine Barry, Angeline Ball & Dickie Rock.

[Narration] The Arts.

Now, as I mentioned earlier, keep walking towards the church. As you walk, I can tell you about some of the people from Cabra who have shaped the arts and even thrown a few shapes on the ballroom floor.

One of them is Lorraine Barry, an internationally recognised ballroom dancer. She grew up in Cabra and went on to become one of the most successful dancers in competitive ballroom dancing. Barry won multiple international titles during her career. In 1993, she began dancing professionally with her partner Luca Baricchi, and together they became World Ballroom Dance Champions in 1999 and again in 2001. In later years, she became widely known to Irish audiences as the head judge on the television show Dancing with the Stars.

Another familiar name connected with Cabra West is Angeline Ball, an actress and singer who has appeared in a wide range of films, television shows, and theatre productions. One of her most memorable roles was in the Classic 1991 Dublin based film The Commitments, where she played the character Imelda Quirke. This film was nominated for Oscars, Golden Globes and even won four Baftas. Since then, Ball has become a well-known figure in the Irish arts scene, working across stage and screen. In 2021 Ball was nominated for two Irish Film & Tv awards in the same year for her roles as Ds Eimear Berry in the tv Show Hidden Assets and her role as Michelle in Deadly Cuts.

Perhaps the most well known Cabra Character associated with the arts is Dickie Rock. He was the leading man for the famous Miami showband. He grew up a stone's throw from here on Attracta Road. He had several Number 1 hits in Ireland both as a solo artist and as part of the Miami Showband. In 1966 he proudly represented Ireland in Eurovision coming in joint Fourth place with Belgium. Dickie Rock sadly passed away in 2024 at the great age of 88. The church across the road named Church of the Most Precious Blood was where the funeral service was held. Many cabra residents attended to pay their respects to a great cabra man often referred to as “The King of Cabra”.

[Directions] Keep walking towards the church and cross over at the traffic lights and stop at the gates of the church and you will hear the next story play.

[Music Reference] Music: “Inspiring Documentary Cinematic Music” by Petrushkasound (via Pixabay)