The Jiving Kids all set for Late Late Toy Show

The Jiving Kids from Monaghan are ready to take the country by storm when they perform on The Late Late Toy Show this Friday night. Killian and Katelyn Finnegan from the small village of Doohamlet near Castleblayney will showcase their dancing moves to a countywide audience when they make a guest appearance on one of the most watched shows of the year on RTÉ One.

Hailing from one of the heartlands of country music, and with country king Big Tom just a few miles away, Killian (10) and his sister Katelyn (nine) are the proud bearers of the country music torch that has burned so brightly in this part of the country for more than five decades.

Less than two years ago, they began to develop their own moves and steps and soon their eye-catching dance style was winning a host of admirers.

They have shared the stage with many of the major names on the circuit, such as Nathan Carter, Derek Ryan, Daniel O’Donnell, Jimmy Buckley, Mike Denver, Eamonn Jackson (one of their special favourites), Johnny Brady, Robert Mizzell, as well as local singers in the region like Mike and John from Lime Light and Ciaran Rosney.

The year drawing to a close has seen them perform at 36 festivals around the country and they have displayed their jiving skills at some of the biggest country music events of the summer, including the Monaghan Country Festival, Kildare Goes Country, Cowboys & Heroes in Leitrim, Ballymore Festival, Cut Loose Festival in Tipperary, Clonmany in Donegal, and many more.

Coming from a farming background, the Jiving Kids are well grounded and attend the local school in Doohamlet where both are in fourth class and their teacher is Mrs Eimear Murphy.

As news gets around about their imminent appearance on The Late Late Show, excitement is mounting in their home area.

Their parents Gerry and Amanda are steeped in the country music tradition of Monaghan and their love for this genre of music has been passed on to Killian and Katelyn. They have been instrumental in encouraging their children to pursue their love for country music and dancing.

“They are thrilled to have been chosen for such a prestigious show as The Late Late Toy Show,” says dad Gerry.

“I feel it is also a real recognition of the new status being enjoyed by country music here in Ireland. There was a massive response to the recent country music night on The Late Late Show and Ryan Tubridy and the production team are very aware of its appeal now. Killian and Katelyn are busy practising new moves for their debut on the show and we know they will do the country scene proud on the night.”

Away from the dancing scene, Killian likes farming, playing gaelic football for Doohamlet under-10s, and swimming. Katelyn enjoys cooking, playing football for the Doohamlet girls team, and swimming too.

The year 2015 has been a truly hectic year for the Jiving Kids who have also featured in a number of videos with various country stars. But on Friday they will appear on their biggest stage by far. The country awaits the Jiving Kids from a farming background in Monaghan.

• Enquiries in relation to the Jiving Kids can be directed to Gerry Finnegan on 086-0856434.