Dancers do Louth proud at World Championships
The Dublin Convention Centre was the spectacular setting for this year's competition which brought over 5,0000 dancers from top Irish dancing schools around the world to compete for a much coveted globe.
Dancers from Dundalk's own Scoil Rince Móna Ní Rodaigh danced up a storm , cementing their status once again as among the most decorated Irish Dance schools in the world.
Mona's 'Red Army' took the challenge in their stride and brought fve coveted world 'Globes' back to Dundalk, including three first place world titles.
Success came early with Conor Garvey taking 5th place in the u12 boys and Aoibhinn O'Kane claiming 6th in the girls U12 on Palm Sunday. Saoirse Gaskin climbed to the worlds top 20 on Monday, earning herself a coveted world medal in 20th place in the girls u13. Simon Clarke took an impressive 6th place in the u18 men on Good Friday, bringing another world medal back to the school.
A further 6 recall medals (meaning they placed in the top 50 in the world!) were earned by Liadan Corry u11, Caoilfhionn O'Reilly u13, Annie Henry u15, Odhran Reel u17, Ciara Brennan & Ceallach Mackin u18, many of whom reaching a personal best. Superb performances also recorded by World Qualifiers Padraig Clarke, Emily Hargadon, Aideen Quinn, Cara McClean, Tadhg Traynor, Cliona Sheridan and Ciara Brodigan.
The ceili (team) competitions were of a standard unseen in previous years with teams from all over the world battling it out for those much-sought after medals. Scoil Rince Mona Ni Rodaigh brought 11 céili teams to Dublin and all came back with a medal, a feat unparalleled by any other school in the world.
The Sub Minor mixed ceili u11 were crowned World Champions on Monday, followed swiftly by the Minor & Junior teams on Tuesday & Thursday respectively. The Senior Mixed Ceili were pipped to the top spot on Easter Sunday securing a 2nd place globe for the school in a fiercely contested finale to the week's dancing. In fields of up to 50 teams, all of the girls céili teams secured either World or recall medals, from 5thto 13th place. An incredible feat made possible by a huge amount of hard work, dedication & sacrifice.
Renowned for their ceili dancing prowess, SR Mona Ni Rodaigh is thrilled to bring the silverward back home to Dundalk for another year
'It's no joke preparing dancers for a competition of this level' says Móna, matriarch of this family-run dancing school. 'Dancers train like Olympians for months on end and sacrifice so much to compete at this level. Their dancing is a skill like no other, a beautiful blend of artistry and athleticism, I'm so proud to see their work pay off'.
Móna, who teaches alongside her daughters Ciara and Dearbhla has been teaching in Dundalk for 55 years and shows no signs of slowing down.
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'We couldn't do this without the tremendous support of our families' she says 'they really do have the patience of saints. We work around the clock in the run up to events like the World Championships so we really do appreciate their incredible support'. Dancers were straight back to work this week as the school prepares for their next event, the Irish Nationals, which takes place in Killarney in June.
Also celebrating were the Darver-based Scoil Rince CosCeol, whose dancers took home an impressive haul of three World Globes and ten gold medals.
Pride of place goes to their group of dancers who won first prize in the Dance Drama competition., while Oisin Weldon was runner up in the boys 18 to 19, with Killian Ryan placing third in the boys 11 to 12 years.
Their teachers Sarah and Colin Ryan described it as ' an incredible result for our school. To have these dancers from their 123s and many taking their final competitive bow this week is an amazing end for them.'
They thanked all the parents for their constant support in preparing the Dance Drama , especially Stephen Carolan for the amazing music, Brendan Gillen for his words of wisdom, Margaret for all the costumes, David for the set and all our supporters throughout the week.
'Our six solo dancers were incredible. They worked so hard and gave their absolute all on the stage.'
The McGee School of Irish Dance were also delighted with their results
'We are absolutely bursting with pride after an unforgettable week on the world stage where our nine incredible solo dancers and five phenomenal teams represented our school with heart, passion, and unstoppable spirit,' says Dervla McGee
Pride of place went to Cathair Corley who placed 4th in the under 12 boys Their other World medal winners were Brendan Carolan,6th in the under 14 boys, Eamonn Smyth, 8th, in the under 19 boys and Jack Mulvey 9th in the under 14 boys.
The school also congratulated their recallers: Layah Connolly , 34th, in the under 16, Penny Moffet , 34th, in the under 17 girls and Lily Shields also 34th in the under 18 girls.
Their teams also shone against still competition, being placed 2nd in the world in the under 16 mixed team, while the under 11 sub minor girls placed17th, the under 13 girls came 22nd, the 16 girls finished 24th and the under 19 ladies placed 19th.
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