After impressing crowds across the country with her dancing skills, Nadine Byrne from Avoca in Co Wicklow celebrated her graduation from South East Technological University (SETU) in November.
“Although we don’t have a farm of our own, farming has always been a big part of my life. My father and older brother have managed a farm in the area for years. From a very young age, I was always outside helping them whenever I could.
I really enjoyed the hands-on work and especially love the machinery side of things,” says Nadine.
With a passion for learning about how things operate, Nadine spent as much time as possible gaining hands-on farm machinery experience.
“That early exposure really sparked my interest, and once I turned 16, I got my tractor licence and went to work for other farmers in the area. This set me on the path toward a career in agriculture.”
After finishing secondary school, Nadine initially chose not to complete a CAO application, feeling that the traditional theory-based classroom environment wasn’t for her.
Instead, she enrolled in Teagasc Kildalton College, where she completed a Level 6 in crops and machinery, a course that offered a practical pathway.
“I never hated school, but I knew early on that sitting in a classroom for years wasn’t for me. While most of my friends were filling out their CAO forms, I had a different plan in mind. I could always see myself working outdoors, doing something hands-on, and the idea of managing a farm really appealed to me. I knew I’d enjoy that life far more than an office job,” she explains.
Transitioning to SETU was a big step for Nadine as it was a more academic environment than the practical-based approach she was used to.
“The extra workload was a massive challenge at the beginning; having to complete lab reports and stay on top of what felt like endless deadlines was a big adjustment. But once I settled in and got to know people, things started to fall into place. I quickly realised everyone was in the same boat, and that made it much easier,” she says.
For Nadine, one of the best parts of going to SETU was getting to live in Waterford with a group of people who were all studying agriculture.
“We supported each other through the college work, but also made sure to keep up a good social life along the way. Looking back, college was definitely challenging at times, but it was also one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had,” she explains.
Nadine and her boyfriend and dance partner Noel, jiving.
A passion for the dance floor
Nadines interest in jiving came from her parents, who started lessons locally with ‘Dancing with Declan’.
“At the time, I remember thinking jiving, waltzing, and all that was just for older people. I said there was no hope of getting me into that. But eventually, a friend of mine from school got talking to my mam and said she’d go if I went too. So, I gave in and that’s where everything changed,” she says.
She struggled at first to learn the steps and understand the beat of the music.
“I kept going back, lesson after lesson, determined to get better, and before I knew it, I was completely hooked,” she says,
A few years later, at one of those lessons, Nadine met Noel Price, who’s now her boyfriend and dance partner.
“The friends you make and the craic you have along the way really make it something special. What started as a bit of fun has turned into a real passion, and I haven’t looked back since,” she says.
To help with the cost of rent and living expenses while studying, Nadine taught country dancing, including line, jiving, quickstep and waltz in community halls.
“It provided a great way to make money while doing something I enjoyed,” she says.
Her passion for dance reached new heights in 2023, when Nadine and Noel were crowned All-Ireland Jiving Champions.
“It was an incredible experience that opened many opportunities for us in this field. Since then, we have featured in several country music videos, with artists such as Derek Ryan and Effie Neill. We’ve also been on national TV and radio shows as well as The 2 Johnnies Podcast talking about how the win has changed our lives,” she says.
They have also travelled to Spain to teach country dancing and they’ve built a successful teaching career in the southeast, running classes across various areas.
“Balancing this alongside college work, social life, and farm work during busy seasons can be challenging at times, but I thoroughly enjoy it and have learned a lot about time management, responsibility, and commitment,” says Nadine.
“Jiving in rural Ireland today is bigger than ever, which is amazing to see. Young and old generations are mixing together, getting out on the floor, and sharing the joy of dancing.”
Nadine driving a tractor.
After impressing crowds across the country with her dancing skills, Nadine Byrne from Avoca in Co Wicklow celebrated her graduation from South East Technological University (SETU) in November.
“Although we don’t have a farm of our own, farming has always been a big part of my life. My father and older brother have managed a farm in the area for years. From a very young age, I was always outside helping them whenever I could.
I really enjoyed the hands-on work and especially love the machinery side of things,” says Nadine.
With a passion for learning about how things operate, Nadine spent as much time as possible gaining hands-on farm machinery experience.
“That early exposure really sparked my interest, and once I turned 16, I got my tractor licence and went to work for other farmers in the area. This set me on the path toward a career in agriculture.”
After finishing secondary school, Nadine initially chose not to complete a CAO application, feeling that the traditional theory-based classroom environment wasn’t for her.
Instead, she enrolled in Teagasc Kildalton College, where she completed a Level 6 in crops and machinery, a course that offered a practical pathway.
“I never hated school, but I knew early on that sitting in a classroom for years wasn’t for me. While most of my friends were filling out their CAO forms, I had a different plan in mind. I could always see myself working outdoors, doing something hands-on, and the idea of managing a farm really appealed to me. I knew I’d enjoy that life far more than an office job,” she explains.
Transitioning to SETU was a big step for Nadine as it was a more academic environment than the practical-based approach she was used to.
“The extra workload was a massive challenge at the beginning; having to complete lab reports and stay on top of what felt like endless deadlines was a big adjustment. But once I settled in and got to know people, things started to fall into place. I quickly realised everyone was in the same boat, and that made it much easier,” she says.
For Nadine, one of the best parts of going to SETU was getting to live in Waterford with a group of people who were all studying agriculture.
“We supported each other through the college work, but also made sure to keep up a good social life along the way. Looking back, college was definitely challenging at times, but it was also one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had,” she explains.
Nadine and her boyfriend and dance partner Noel, jiving.
A passion for the dance floor
Nadines interest in jiving came from her parents, who started lessons locally with ‘Dancing with Declan’.
“At the time, I remember thinking jiving, waltzing, and all that was just for older people. I said there was no hope of getting me into that. But eventually, a friend of mine from school got talking to my mam and said she’d go if I went too. So, I gave in and that’s where everything changed,” she says.
She struggled at first to learn the steps and understand the beat of the music.
“I kept going back, lesson after lesson, determined to get better, and before I knew it, I was completely hooked,” she says,
A few years later, at one of those lessons, Nadine met Noel Price, who’s now her boyfriend and dance partner.
“The friends you make and the craic you have along the way really make it something special. What started as a bit of fun has turned into a real passion, and I haven’t looked back since,” she says.
To help with the cost of rent and living expenses while studying, Nadine taught country dancing, including line, jiving, quickstep and waltz in community halls.
“It provided a great way to make money while doing something I enjoyed,” she says.
Her passion for dance reached new heights in 2023, when Nadine and Noel were crowned All-Ireland Jiving Champions.
“It was an incredible experience that opened many opportunities for us in this field. Since then, we have featured in several country music videos, with artists such as Derek Ryan and Effie Neill. We’ve also been on national TV and radio shows as well as The 2 Johnnies Podcast talking about how the win has changed our lives,” she says.
They have also travelled to Spain to teach country dancing and they’ve built a successful teaching career in the southeast, running classes across various areas.
“Balancing this alongside college work, social life, and farm work during busy seasons can be challenging at times, but I thoroughly enjoy it and have learned a lot about time management, responsibility, and commitment,” says Nadine.
“Jiving in rural Ireland today is bigger than ever, which is amazing to see. Young and old generations are mixing together, getting out on the floor, and sharing the joy of dancing.”
Nadine driving a tractor.
SHARING OPTIONS