Irish American dancer Kevin Doyle has been honored with a National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor awarded for achievement in folk and traditional arts in the United States.

The 63-year-old Doyle, from Rhode Island, started learning Irish dancing at the age of eight from his mother, who immigrated from Castlerea, Co Roscommon. His paternal grandparents were from Longford.

RTE reports that the United States recognized Doyle’s 55 years of Irish dancing with the nation’s highest honor for the arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, National Heritage Fellowship.

A retired bus driver, Doyle, who currently dances with two bands and teaches Irish dancing classes, says his plans for the future are filled with more dancing.