Celebrating the Irish Through Music + Dance

Likas, best known to Alexandria as ‘The Wild Irish Rose’, chooses to use her artistic talents to celebrate her Irish heritage year-round. Her mother was born in Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ireland and raised her children in the United States to embrace their Irish roots. Though Kaitlyn’s father is Lithuanian, the family considers him to be an honorary Irishman as he fully embraces and loves the music and culture.

In an effort to share their love of Irish culture, Kaitlyn and the other women of her family founded the Southern Maryland Chapter of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, an Irish Catholic Woman’s Organization that advocates for friendship, unity and Christian charity. Additionally, Kaitlyn works as the Public Relations and Fundraising Coordinator for the Ballyshaners.

Adopting their name from the Irish word for “Old Town,” the Ballyshaners is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Irish Heritage. One way they accomplish this is by organizing and running the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Alexandria and the Alexandria Irish Festival, where you can be sure to catch a glimpse of Kaitlyn performing.

Kaitlyn’s passion for Irish music and dance is about to extend much further than Alexandria. This July, Kaitlyn will be taking her performance to Donegal, Ireland where she will represent all women of Irish descent from Washington DC as she competes for the title of ‘Mary from Dungloe.’ As an Irish American, she considers this opportunity to be a great honor.

With such a passion for her heritage, Kaitlyn dreams of one day opening a Celtic Arts School which would provide education and training in all forms of Celtic arts.

Celebrating the Irish Through Music + Dance Likas, best known to Alexandria as ‘The Wild Irish Rose’, chooses to use her artistic talents to celebrate her Irish heritage year-round. Her mother was born in Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ireland and raised her children in the United States to embrace their Irish roots. Thoug