Giving back with Irish dance - Carolan School and LauraLynn House

with Sarah Klopp, Feis America LLC intern

Irish dancers share smiles and competition proceeds with a good cause!
Photo: LauraLynn House

It is not often that one hears reports of such positive and helpful actions as that which the Carolan School of Irish Dancing in Dublin has done recently; they have proven that no matter one's age, one can find a way to help those in need.

This past February 26th, the Carolan School of Irish Dancing ran their annual feis, or Irish dancing competition, in the Clontarf Castle Hotel. For the past four years, all the proceeds from this event have gone to the LauraLynn House, a charity which aims to support families of seriously-ill children by putting “life into a child’s day, not days into a child’s life.”

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Read more:

Irish dance musicals? A midnight musing by Moms to Reel Boys blogger Darlene White

World Irish dancing championships: friends in Belfast - PHOTOS

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In addition to the feis, Yvonne and Jennifer Carolan raised money through a monster raffle with more than 50 prizes. They managed to raise an amazing €5,000 for the charity, which is Ireland’s only children’s hospice.

Carolan School dancers hand over proceeds check to LauraLynn House.
Photo: LauraLynn House

Jane McKenna, founder of the LauraLynn House, gives heartfelt thanks to the Carolan School for the donation of time, effort, and money. She says the funds raised will give the “seriously ill children and their families… the respite and support which is so vital.”

The LauraLynn Children's Hospice Foundation was set up in 2001 after Jane and Brendan McKenna lost both their precious daughters, Laura and Lynn, in just two years.  Similar to Ronald McDonald House in the United States - with significantly less resources, LauraLynn House relies on the kindness and generosity of friends like the Carolan School of Irish Dancing.

Learn more about the LauraLynn House by clicking here.


Are you an Irish dancer with an inspiring story to share?  Does your Irish dance school raise money for a good cause, participate in walk-a-thons or other charitable events?  Share your story with us so we can spread the word to others!

Check back here for news, results, photos, interviews and more! Help us celebrate Irish dancing by sharing this story with your friends, like us on Facebook, Tweet the link or start a conversation with a comment in the message box below. THANK YOU!

Songs for the 28th – 29th April Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

by PATRICIA MCNAMARA

Heading to Alberta this weekend for the Mattierin Spring "Feis in the Park" or Little Rock for the Little Rock Feis? Or maybe you’re off to Syracuse for the Bob Gabor CNY Feis, Seattle for the Emerald City Feis or Stuart, Florida for the South Florida Feis. Maybe you’re gearing up for Utah’s Feis SLC, Massachusetts’ Hansen-Keohane School Feis or perhaps Pennsylvania’s Four Provinces Feis.

No matter your competitive destination this weekend, we want to share four tunes you should add to your own playlist before lacing up and taking the stage. Best of luck to all competitors and be sure to come back and share your results with us!  

“Steal My Sunshine” – Len
This seasonal beat will put you in a cheery mood, no matter how you do.

 “Rhythm Of Love” – Plain White T’s
Pounding out that set’s steps? Yep, it’s your rhythm of love…and you’ll never give it up.
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READ MORE:
Songs for the 21st - 22nd April Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

Songs for the 24th - 25th March Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

Songs for the 3rd - 4th March Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS
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“Gold On The Ceiling” – The Black Keys
Listen to this while setting your sights on winning.  

“Let’s Go” – Calvin Harris feat. Ne-Yo
Play this right before lining up for some extra energy.

North American National Irish Dancing Championships in Chicago in 2012

The North American National Irish Dance Championships
will be held in Chicago, Illinois in July.

with Caitlin Buck, Feis America LLC contributor

Now that World Irish Dancing Championships have whirled past, feet are now flying to prepare for the North American National Irish Dancing Championships. Held in the Windy City, July 3rd through July 7th, an expected 5,000 dancers will compete in solo and team events with up to 25,000 spectators will attend . World-class competitors will be sweeping in from across the states, Canada, Mexico and overseas. The competition is open to all Open Championship dancers across the globe as another adrenaline-charged chance to qualify for the 2013 World Irish Dancing Championships in Boston, Massachusetts.

Young ladies from one of the two under 17 events
at North American Nationals 2011.
Photo: Grace Hulseman

“Members of the Irish Dance Teachers Association of Mid-America are so proud to host this championship competition in city as vibrant at Chicago,” said Julie Showalter, ADCRG, Artistic Director of World Academy of Irish Dancing and co-chair of the event’s host committee. “The level of commitment, refinement and athleticism that Irish dancers are required to attain in this art form sets them apart from all other types of dance, and we’re excited to share such a high-level of dancing with the city of Chicago.”

Maura Whaley, Hali Thorne and Nicole Greco from Gilleoghan Irish Dance in Connecticut
after awards at the 2011 North American National Irish Dancing Championships.
Photo: Megan TeeKing

For the majority who will be flying into Chicago, the mid-America Region has, “contracted several large American airlines and secured booking codes to be used when making airline reservations, which will ultimately reduce the total cost of your airline travel to Nationals. The booking codes may only be applied to travel in and out of Chicago on the following airline carriers: American Airlines, Delta, Air France, KLM, United Airlines and Continental.” For more info see the airline promo.

Dancers from the Harney Academy of Irish Dance in Massachusetts
check in at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in 2011.
Photo Feis America LLC

Accommodations are at either the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers (where the dance competitions will be held), the Hyatt Regency Chicago (result presentations) or Embassy Suites (overflow hotel).  Teachers will also be treated to a night on the Spirit of Chicago for their annual convention on July 2nd.

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Read more:

North American men score big at World Irish Dancing Championships

Recap of solo award winners at World Irish Dancing Championships

Southern region Irish dancing championship photos
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An international panel of adjudicators includes: Joanie Cass, Maureen Cunniffe Daly, Maura Dixon, Michael Fitzpatrick, Jan Curry Henderson, Helena and Kevin McCarron, Marie Moore-Cuniffe, Eddie Murphy,Sharon O'Brien, Patrick O'Hare, Kathleen O'Keefe, Pauline Shaw, Mary Sweeney, and Brendan Tiernan.

Girls in the under 8 competition at awards 2011.
Photo: Grace Hulseman

Feis musicians scheduled to play include: Merv Bell, Darren Checkley, Dean Crouch, Anthony Davis, Billy Furlong, Brian Grant, Kevin Joyce, Pat King, Chris McGrory, Chris McLoughlin, Tony Nother, Paul O'Donnell, Cormac O'Shea and Brian O'Sullivan.

Girls from the under 13 ceili competition.
Photo: Grace Hulseman

For more information visit the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America's website or visit North American National Irish Dancing Championships on Facebook.

Check back here for news, results, photos, interviews and more! Help us celebrate Irish dancing by sharing this story with your friends, like us on Facebook, Tweet the link or start a conversation with a comment in the message box below. THANK YOU!

Titanic-themed Irish dance competition in Massachusetts

Makaisha Gonzalez of the Flying Irish dressed as the Titanic, winning the costume reel.
The ship even had a gash in the other side!
Photo: John Mulhall

On April 14, 2012, an RMS Titanic-themed Irish dance competition honored the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking and devastating loss of more than 1,500 souls on April 14, 1912.  The Flying Irish Dance School hosted the open platform feis at Coco Keys Water Resort in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and dancers and teachers enjoyed a full day of fun and entertainment as well as competitive Irish dance events.

The Flying Irish Dancers performing the "waves" movement in the Glencar Reel.
  Tatiana O'Hanlon, Makaisha Gonzalez, Jessica Taylor, Jordyn Babin, Bridie MacLean and Alexcis MahoneyPhoto: John Mulhall.

 Group dance competitions included two-hand up to eight-hand reels, two freestyle events and a special costume reel which awarded prizes for best junior costume, best senior costume and best combined costume and dance.  A separate hat contest which benefited the American Red Cross, and a trivia contest and raffle added to the fun and prize opportunities - including mini Titanic ships - for feis-goers, even those who don't Irish dance!

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Read more:

World Irish Dancing Championships photos from Belfast

New Sonar images of Titanic on ocean floor

Competitive adult Irish dancer Julia Barrington from Canada
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Kelly School winners Catherine Cronin and Julia Ottaviani congratulate each other
while Shelby Gaiss of the Mulkerin School, CT looks on.
Photo: Julie Cronin.  

Mary-Sarah O'Hanlon, artistic director and owner of the Flying Irish Dance School and the Flying Irish Dance Company was thrilled with the turnout and said the event was a success, saying, "Congratulations to all the dancers! The costume reel was particularly stupendous! A huge thank you to all the parent volunteers!"

O'Hanlon also thanked Mark Marshall for entering the three judges' scores, and judges Kate O'Brien and Susan Daly Stanek.

The Kelly School of Irish Dance, Rhode Island performs a freestyle routine.
Photo: Julie Cronin.

The Flying Irish Dance School is affiliated with the North American Irish Dance Federation, and also hosts an open platform Irish dance competition every fall.  This year's event will be September 2, 2012.  For more information, visit them on Facebook or see the school's website.


Check back here for news, results, photos, interviews and more! Help us celebrate Irish dancing by sharing this story with your friends, like us on FaceBook, Tweet the link or start a conversation with a comment in the message box below. THANK YOU!

Songs for the 21st – 22nd April Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

by PATRICIA MCNAMARA

Heading to San Francisco this weekend for the Golden State Feis or to Wildwood, New Jersey for the Cummins School Feis at the Beach? Or maybe you're going to Ohio for the Buckeye State Feis.
No matter your competitive destination this weekend, we want to share four tunes you should add to your own playlist before lacing up and taking the stage. Best of luck to all competitors and be sure to come back and share your results with us!

“Belfast” – Boney M.
This throwback will get you in a mellow mood—perfect to calm those nerves.


“The Belfast Hornpipe” – James Galway
This song is bound to get your toes tapping.


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READ MORE:
Songs for the 24th - 25th March Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

Songs for the 3rd - 4th March Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

Songs for the 25th - 26th February Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS
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“Belfast Child” – Simple Minds
Use this tune for a warm-up routine.


“Belle of Belfast City” – Kristy MacColl
Even if you didn't go to Belfast for the 2012 World Irish Dancing Championships two weeks ago, this song will excite you, making you feel like you were just there.

Irish dance and college: finding space to practice on campus

Irish dance practice in my dorm room?  Are you serious?
A college student in search of space and a place to practice her Irish dancing steps

By Caitlin Buck, Feis America LLC contributor 

Looking at the growing number of competitors in both the young and senior (21 and over) competitions at the World Irish Dancing Championships last week means that Irish dance students are still practicing and competing as they finish high school. Off to college? Possibly several hours away from one's Irish dance school? You now face two main questions: Should I continue Irish dancing?  If I do, where will I practice?

Living in a dorm doesn’t offer the greatest practicing possibilities; especially when compared -- and melancholy makes it worse - to your old dance studio, your living room or the dance floor your dad built in the garage or basement! Instead you’re faced with the dodgy prospect of practicing in public spaces such as: university gyms, rec centers, dormitory hallways and the communal laundry room.

Dorm hallway!  Long, carpeted... until a door opens out!

My freshmen year at college, I shared a dorm room that was smaller than some walk-in closets. I didn’t mind practicing in front of my roommate, but like I said, there wasn’t a whole lotta - you know -- space! Outside my room in the flickering light of the windowless hall, I practiced over-1-2s down the carpet like a runway and danced my reel. It goes without saying that I was on edge the whole time never knowing when a door might randomly burst open, popping out a girl like a jack-in-the-box. Seeking the solace of privacy, I retreated to the almost always-deserted laundry room in the basement. Tile and leaps aren’t the best combo, however, and I got shin splints.

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Read more:

North American Men 19-21 place in Top Four at Worlds

Irish dancers cross-train with ballet for flexibility and poise

Irish dancer opportunities to study abroad in Ireland
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Frustrated, I brainstormed. I could practice in one of the gigantic university gyms, but I had no way of knowing when it was taken for a class or team practice. The image of the towering basketball team or the buff wrestling class meandering in on my jig was a wee bit too embarrassing and ridiculous to consider. Still determined, a few weeks later I found my way to the student recreation center.

Exploring, I found the center offered yoga and aerobic classes in a dance studio on the second floor. A real dance studio with a good floor, mirrors and a posted class schedule! Victory! I began practicing in the studio when it was not in use, and it even turned out room reservations were free for students.

A dance studio at the recreation center!  Dream come true!

A friend that is also a college Irish dancer had the idea a few weeks ago to practice on the landing of her apartment thinking it wouldn’t disturb her downstairs' neighbors too much. As she rocketed around the floor, an unhappy and incredulous young man ascended the stairs wanting to know what she was doing. Apparently she was causing the entire floor to vibrate with her awesome over-1-2s. Oops!

It’s difficult to practice Irish dance when living in the close quarters of a dorm or an apartment, but it’s even more difficult to quit something you love. Trust me, you'll surely have more regret from quitting than from trying to make it work. Your “expiration dance date” occurs only when your joy of dance expires. Until then, keep dancing!

Does your college offer space to students that would work for practicing dance? How did you make it work? Post a comment and share in the box below.

Check back here for news, results, photos, interviews and more! Help us celebrate Irish dancing by sharing this story with your friends, like Feis America Magazine on FaceBook, Tweet the link or start a conversation with a comment in the message box below. THANK YOU!

Romance Rocks World Irish Dancing Championships for Jade Bridgewater and Mitchell Hodges

Jade Bridgewater, 4th place Girls 15-16 and Mitchell Hodges, 2nd place Boys 15-16
2012 World Irish Dancing Championships
Photo:  Callum Bridgewater

Jade Bridgewater and Mitchell Hodges had an extra special reason for enjoying the World Irish Dancing Championships this year.  The teenagers are competitive Irish dancers in both solo and team events, with impressive records that include Top Five in all the major international events.  But spending the whole week together in Belfast, Northern Ireland - in addition to their Top Five placements in the 15-16 events - was the icing on the cake, according to Hodges.

The two have known each other for some time, but it was only on this past New Year's Eve that they started dating.  Bridgewater, who has been dancing since age 4 (now with Doherty Academy of Irish Dance Coventry) lives in Birmingham, England.  Hodges, whose home is in Bristol, England commutes about two hours each way to Birmingham, where he practices with Carey Academy of Irish Dance.  He started dancing at five years old because his older siblings did.

Let the celebration begin!
Photo courtesy Bridgewater Family

Jade explains how she and Mitchell met, "I have always seen Mitchell around the dance competitions, but I have never really spoken to him probably until recent months.  My best friend, Leah Skerrett, who dances at the same school as Mitchell, was messaging me whilst at dance class and Mitchell went on her phone and started to message me.  We started to talk and get to know each other and it went from there."

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Read more:

Jade Bridgewater 2011 British National Irish Dancing Champion

World Irish Dancing Championship 2011 Results for Boys-Girls under 15

Mitchell Hodges 2011 North American National Irish Dancing Champion
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Generally, the couple gets to spend time together after Saturday dance classes with Hodges returning to Bristol the next day by train.  When asked about dating girls that are not Irish dancers, Mitchell is honest:  "It was so hard as I was always training and spending time in Birmingham on weekdays and weekends and on school holidays I would spend most of my time at workshops or at competitions all week so I couldn't spend enough time with them."

So happy together! Post podium celebration for Jade and Mitchell
Photo courtesy Bridgewater Family

Bridgewater currently holds titles as the All-Scotland Irish Dancing Champion, Great Britain Irish Dancing Champion and British National Irish Dancing Champion.  Her past record includes winning the All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championship in 2006 and North American National Irish Dancing Championship in 2009.  She has also won her regional Irish dancing championship for the last six years.  At Worlds this year, Jade was the highest-placing non-North American in Girls 15-16, taking the 4th position on the podium.  She placed 3rd at her first World Irish Dancing Championships in Girls 10-11.

Hodges, in addition to placing 2nd at both the 2012 All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championship and World Irish Dancing Championship, is a six-time World Irish Dancing Championship team member.  He won the North American National Irish Dancing Championships for Boys 14-15 in 2011 and  has placed as high as 3rd at the All-Scotland, Great Britain and British National Irish Dancing Championships.

Kelly, Jade and Dad Callum Bridgewater with Mitchell Hodges
Photo courtesy Bridgewater Family

Mitchell's whole family danced, but now it is just he and his younger sister Ellie who compete.  Bobby, Mitchell's older brother, is currently "The Lord" in Lord of the Dance Troupe 2, with whom he has performed since 2008.  Kelly Bridgewater, Jade's older sister, is also an accomplished competitive Irish dancer at age 19.  Jade and Kelly are members of Doherty's 2012 World Champion Girls' Ceili Team.

Jade shares that Mitchell gets along really well with her family, and that the Bridgewater and Hodges families get along great too. "They really encourage the relationship and think we are good for each other," she says.

With such a handsome and talented couple starting the New Year together, surely 2012 will see many of their Irish dancing dreams come true!


Check back here for news, results, photos, interviews and more! Help us celebrate Irish dancing by sharing this story with your friends, like us on FaceBook, Tweet the link or start a conversation with a comment in the message box below. THANK YOU!

World Irish Dancing Championships: North American Men 19-21 Clinch Top 4 PHOTOS

Good friends and competitors in Men 19-21
2012 World Irish Dancing Championships
Photo: Michael Mullane

Brendan Mullane. Michael Putman. Tyler Schwartz. If you know anything at all about competitive Irish dancing at the Open Champion level in North America, these names are almost as familiar as Michael Flatley. Just back after the 2012 World Irish Dancing Championships, the gifted men claimed the 2nd, 3rd and 4th placements in the Mens 19-21 competition, to the delight of the Mid-America region and all of North America!

Top Ten Men 19-21
2012 World Irish Dancing Championships
Photo: Michael Mullane

What is not known to many outside mid-America and the intimate world of international competitors is just how deeply-rooted the friendship is among these three young men. Now young adults, they have been more than rivals for better than ten years. It is to their credit that, as boys, they recognized that they had more in common than their passion and skill at Irish dancing. So at the 2011 Mid-America Regional Irish Dancing Championships, when Putman won, Mullane came in 2nd and Schwartz took 3rd, they celebrated as the Top Three.

From three different Irish dance schools all in the greater Chicago, Illinois area, Mullane, Putman and Schwartz found themselves among a small minority at feiseanna while female competitors numbered in the hundreds and thousands. As a result, boy dancers and their families tend to bond rather quickly and find themselves rooting for all, not one. In the grade-level competitions, girls and boys are usually combined and compete against one another in age-level events. Even at the Preliminary and Open Champion levels, boys' age groups are often combined. So while Mullane and Putman are a year younger than Schwartz, 2012 is not the first time the three have competed against each other.

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Read more: 

World Irish Dancing Champions Recap of Solo Awards

International Friendships and Irish Dance: John Whitehurst from "Jig"

Professional World Champion Irish Dancer Owen Barrington
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Mullane, who placed 3rd at the 2012 All Ireland Irish Dancing Championships and 4th at Worlds, dances and teaches at Mullane-Healy-Godley Academy of Irish Dance. He remembers, "When we were younger we would always compete [at feiseanna] and no matter what the places ended up we were all still friends, [we] never hated each other."

Putman ties rival Mullane's shoes before practicing... now that's trust!
Photo: Kevinah Dargan

Putman interviewed with Feis America while visiting his great buddy Brendan Mullane at school. He says, "I consider Tyler one of my good friends but Brendan is by far one of the best. We never got along because we were always rivals, but when we grew up we both realized how well we get along and now we hang out at every opportunity. We talk about everything normal friends talk about which means our friendship goes past dance."

Their individual competitive records are all impressive. Putman, from Dennehy School of Irish Dance has topped the podium - TWICE - as 2009 World Irish Dancing Champion and 2010 All-Ireland Irish Dancing Champion. Competing for the first time in the Men 19-21 event at the 2012 World Irish Dancing Championship, Putman says, "I got third which I'm thrilled with considering how talented the competition was!"

Schwartz, who dances and teaches at the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance, placed 2nd at both the 2011 and 2012 All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championships, and placed 2nd and 3rd at the 2012 and 2011 World Irish Dancing Championships, respectively. As both Mullane and Putman moved up to the Men's 19-21 age group this year, it is the first year that the three friends have competed in the same event at the Worlds level.

Schwartz says, "We're all focused competitors trying to win the competition, but at the end of the day we're all really good friends. Some of these guys I've known for many years now, so it makes the competitions that much more fun!"

Brendan Mullane, 4th and Tyler Schwartz, 2nd
Men 19-21
Photo: Michael Mullane

Mullane says that the friendship among the competitors reduces the pressure at major competitions. "It's just amazing how this competition has people from all of the world and the three of us - Tyler, Mike and I - [who] have been great friends since were ten all placed in the Top Five! I think that competing against each other growing up really helps us at these major competitions."

All three are now focused on the North American National Irish Dancing Championships which will take place in early July in their backyard, Chicago.  Can anyone predict where these three will be in five years?  You may rest assured that, whatever comes their way, they will stay lifelong friends!


Check back here for news, results, photos, interviews and more! Help us celebrate Irish dancing by sharing this story with your friends, like Feis America Magazine on FaceBook, Tweet the link or start a conversation with a comment in the message box below. THANK YOU!

Recap of World Irish Dancing Team Championships PHOTOS

2012 World Champions!  Kiely-Walsh Junior Girls Ceili 13-16
and 3rd place Minor Mixed Ceili u13
Photo courtesy Kiely-Walsh

The team competitions at the World Irish Dancing Championships held in Belfast, Northern Ireland, were truly world-class!  With lively music worthy of this level of Irish dancing and an international panel of adjudicators, the audience of thousands were treated to the very best ceili teams from Australia, Ireland, The Netherlands, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

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Read more:

Irish dancers' opportunities to study abroad in Ireland

Recap of World Irish Dancing Championship solo winners

Irish dancers of Prodijig win "Got to Dance" VIDEO
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North American teams made a great showing, bringing home the World Champion title for Cashel-Dennehy's Senior Girls' Ceili team and Top Five placements for teams from Claddagh, O'Shea-Chaplin, Peter Smith, and Short.

Congratulations also to the Top 20 North American teams from An Daire, Burke, Cashel-Dennehy, Claddagh, Mattierin, Mulhern, Murphy Irish Arts and Rince na h'Eireann!

2012 World Irish Dancing Championship

Team Competition Winners with North American placements

courtesy of Feis Results

Minor Girls Ceili Under 13: Kelly Hendry, England
North American teams from Mattierin, Claddagh and Mulhern placed 10th, 15th and 17th.

Minor Mixed Ceili Under 13: Ui She, Ireland
The only North American team entered - Peter Smith School from New York- placed 5th.

Mulhern (USA) Junior Girls' Ceili 13-16 - 11th place!
L>R: Coleen Mulhern Malloy, Maggie Clifford, Caroline Cofoid, Meghan McCarthy, Elizabeth Bish, Mary Kate McCarthy, 
Gianna Levato and Eileen Mulhern O'Kane. 
Photo: Jim McCarthy

Junior Girls Ceili 13-16: Kiely-Walsh Team B, Ireland
North American teams from Claddagh, Mulhern and Cashel-Dennehy placed 7th, 11th and 20th.

Junior Mixed Ceili 13-16:  Ni Chearra-O'Baolain-McMahon, Ireland
North American teams from Cashel-Dennehy and Rince na h'Eireann placed 3rd and 9th.

Cashel-Dennehy's World Champion Girls' Senior Ceili Team!
Photo courtesy Cashel-Dennehy

Senior Girls Ceili 16-19:  Cashel-Dennehy, United States of America
North American teams from Claddagh, Marie Moore and Mulhern placed 2nd, 6th and 12th.

Senior Mixed Ceili 16-19:  Mona Ni Rodaigh, Ireland
North American teams from Short and O'Shea-Chaplin placed 3rd and 4th.

One of the star-studded Doherty (Ireland) Senior Ladies Ceili Teams (over 19)
L>R: Casey McLeod, Rebecca Loughran, Niamh Taylor, Lauren Early, Caoimhe Bradley, Janine Taggart, Katie Murray and Vick McMullan
Photo courtesy Rebecca Loughran

Senior Ladies Ceili Over 19: Doherty, Team A from England

North American teams from Claddagh, Mattierin, O'Shea-Chaplin and Burke placed 3rd, 11th, 12th and 14th.

Minor Girls Figure Under 13:  Sean Eireann McMahon, England

Junior Girls Figure 13-16: Carey, England

Senior Girls Figure Over 16: Christine Ayres, Australia
North American teams Claddagh, Murphy Irish Arts and An Daire placed 2nd, 8th and 9th.

Senior Mixed Figure Over 16: Coleman, England tied with Christine Ayres, Australia

Claddagh Irish Dance's 2nd place team
Photo courtesy Claddagh Irish Dance

There were eight creative Senior Dance Drama entries at this year's World Irish Dancing Championships, with World Champion McLaughlin from Scotland the most entertaining!  Maguire-O'Shea and Linda Fryday, both from England rounded out the Top Three.  From North America, Murphy Irish Arts placed 6th and An Daire Academy placed 8th.

Check back here for news, results, photos, interviews and more! Help us celebrate Irish dancing by sharing this story with your friends, like us on FaceBook, Tweet the link or start a conversation with a comment in the message box below. THANK YOU!

An Comhdháil World Irish Dance Championships Solo Results

An Comhdháil World Irish Dancing Top Five Girls under 14
Photo by James Browne ReelDancePix

The first An Comhdháil World Irish Dance Championships were held at CityWest Hotel in Dublin, Ireland from April 1-7, 2012.  Though the organization is more than 40 years old, past majors have only been at the All-Ireland or All-Scotland level.  Dancers and teachers were welcomed to the week-long celebration of the An Comhdhail's best Irish dancers at CityWest in Dublin.

An Comhdháil Na Múinteoirí Le Rincí Gaelacha is an association which, since 1970, has certified Irish dancing teachers and adjudicators whose mission is to "foster, encourage and promote at a local level the art and practice of Irish dancing".  While the website says there are a total of 24 regions located in Australia, Eastern Europe, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, most An Comhdháil competitors - and all of the 2012 An Comhdháil World Irish Dancing Champions - are from Ireland or Scotland.


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Read more:


Little champion shares "An Irish Dancer's Oath"

Recap of Solo Awards at An Coimisiun Le Rince Gaelacha Worlds

Letting go: competitors travel without parents to major competitions
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An Comhdháil World Irish Dance Championships consisted of 20 solo championships:  13 girls' competitions from under 10 to Senior Ladies over 21, and 7 boy's championships which are double age groups starting with under 11 upwards.  All Championships are over three rounds, with five adjudicators. The first two rounds are also adjudicated as a solo by a sixth adjudicator. The solo results given have no impact on the overall Championship result.

Solo Championship Results for Girls/Ladies and Boys/Men

Girls Under 10 - Abigail Cassidy, Hugh McKenna School, Waterford
Girls Under 11 - Charlie McCable, Dawson McDonnell School, Dublin
Girls Under 12 - Meabh Sherry, Cummings School, West Tyrone
Girls Under 13 - Shannon Walsh, Cullen School, Derry/Donegal
Girls Under 14 - Aoife McCallion, Cullen School, Derry/Donegal
Girls Under 15 - Sarah Dooley, Dawson McDonnell Academy, Dublin
Girls Under 16 - Zoe Talbot, Lee-Byrne Academy, Dublin
Girls Under 17 - Aiobhin McDaid, Concannon-Ganley Academy, Midlands (Ireland)
Girls Under 18 - Caoimhe Ennis, Clarke-Goodman Academy, Dublin
Girls Under 19 - Eve Groves, Sherry School, Dublin
Girls Under 20 - Miriam Lee, Lee-Byrne Academy, Dublin
Girls Under 21 - Michelle Curran, McLaughlin, Derry/Donegal
Senior Ladies Over 21 - Debbie McCallion, Coyle School, Derry/Donegal


Boys Under 11 - Stephen Devlin, Hugh McKenna School, mid-Ulster
Boys Under 13 - Sean Burbage, Lynam School, Kildare/Laois
Boys Under 15, Stephen Teague, Crean School, Dublin
Boys Under 17 - Conn Power, Lee-Byrne Academy, Dublin
Boys Under 19 - Calum Kelly, Peter Thompson School, Scotland
Boys Under 21 - Lee McCrystal, Baxter School, West Tyrone
Senior Men - Will Croke, Mulcahy-Bible School, Waterford


Full results, including solo round awards, may be found at An Comhdháil World Irish Dance.  Look for photo galleries here on Irish Central's Irish dance page in the next few days courtesy of ReelDancePix.





Check back here for news, results, photos, interviews and more! Help us celebrate Irish dancing by sharing this story with your friends, like Feis America Magazine on FaceBook, Tweet the link or start a conversation with a comment in the message box below. THANK YOU!

Culkin School's Champion Simone Loysen shares "An Irish Dancer's Oath"

Simone Adele Loysen from Culkin School of Irish Dance
2011 Southern Regional Champion Girls under 9
Photo Steph School

Simone Adele Loysen, the 2011 Southern Region Irish Dancing Champion for Girls under 9, has an awful lot to be proud of.  A first-time competitor at the recent All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland, Simone placed 23rd!  She also managed to bring home some sage advice to share with Irish dancers from the Culkin School of Irish Dance in Maryland.

Simone shares a pre-competition cup of tea with her teacher Sean Culkin, ADCRG
in Dublin, Ireland
Photo: Steph Schor

Little did she know, her "Irish Dancer's Oath" which she made to help her commit to what she believes it takes to succeed, would make it's way to Irish dancers around the world through Feis America LLC's media feed.
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Read more:

Solo results from World Irish Dancing Championships

Southern Region Irish Dancing Championships SLIDESHOW

All-Ireland Dancing Championships Results Girls 10-11
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Simone waits with other Irish dancers at the Garden State Feis in New Jersey
Photo: Steph Schor

Irish dancers are nothing if not patient.  Years - even at Simone's young age - of waiting for a competition to begin, waiting in line as a Beginner or Novice dancer with dozens of other girls and boys for your turn to dance, and then waiting again for the next step, the posting of winners and awards, test the best of them.  It is likely this character trait that helped Simone lay out the "Irish Dancer's Oath", knowing that practice, care of one's body and listening to those who know best will help her reach her goals in the long-run.

"Irish Dancer's Oath" by Simone Adele Loysen

Stephanie Schor, Simone's mother, posted the "Irish Dancer's Oath" on her Facebook page, and the comments and kudos started right away.  Joann Priole, mom to Maggie from Cummins (Maggie just recalled in Girls 10-11 at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Belfast) posted, "Very nice job, Simone!  This is the true spirit of Irish dance!".

Feis America LLC contacted Simone and her mother for permission to replicate the oath to share with Irish dancers everywhere.


Simone's response? She said, "I never thought my little oath would become something that Irish dancers from everywhere could use!  I think it's so great that all these other Irish dancers can do the exact thing I did and take the oath."

Thank you Simone and good luck at the North American National Irish Dancing Championships coming in July!  Viewers can access Simone's "Irish Dancer's Oath" by clicking on the caption below this image:

Read The Irish Dancer's Oath by Simone Adele Loysen 

What kind of tools do you use to help you focus on your goals in Irish dancing?  Share in the comment box below!

Check back here for news, results, photos, interviews and more! Help us celebrate Irish dancing by sharing this story with your friends, like Feis America Magazine on FaceBook, Tweet the link or start a conversation with a comment in the message box below. THANK YOU!

Recap of solo awards at the World Irish Dancing Championships - PHOTOS

42nd World Irish Dancing Championships in Belfast, Northern Ireland
photo Lisa Murphy

The 42nd Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne - the World Irish Dancing Championships - hosted by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha ended Easter Sunday after nine days of solo and team competitions at Belfast's Waterfront and St. George's Market.  An estimated 25,000 competitive Irish dancers, their teachers, families and friends visited the venue beginning March 31st.  

This annual event, much anticipated by Irish dance enthusiasts from all over the world, is the Olympic-equivalent for competitive Irish dancing.  Competitors traveled from Australia, Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Japan, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, making it truly an international event of the finest Irish dancers in the world.

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Read more:

Irish dancers opportunities to study abroad in Ireland

Senior world champions take the stage in Belfast Video

Irish dancers cross-train with ballet

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Former World Irish Dancing Champions have gone on to star in internationally-acclaimed productions such as Lord of the Dance and Riverdance, themselves become certified teachers and adjudicators, and opened Irish dancing schools with great success.  Most have been influential in the development and training of other World Irish Dancing Champions as an instructor or mentor and even as a parent!

Boys 14-15 with Peter Dziak from Trinity USA
Photo: Paul Seale

With twelve solo competitions in each of the female and male categories, the potential exists to crown 24 new World Irish Dancing Champions each year.  It is no surprise, however, when a particularly brilliant Irish dancing star defends his or her title year after year.  In 2012, a total of fourteen World Irish Dancing Championships were awarded to defending champions. There was one exception made for a first-place tie in the Girls 16-17 category and both Doherty's Cyra Taylor, defending champion, and Petri's Melanie Valdes shared the podium during awards.

As may be expected, Ireland is the country that produces the most World champions and 2012 is no exception.  The Ulster Region of An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha is comprised of counties in both Ireland and Northern Ireland, and is home to six of thirteen female 2012 World Irish Dancing Champions.  Four of the six from the Ulster Region are defending World Irish Dancing Champions from two schools: Brogan McCay and Cyra Taylor, both from McConomy Bradley, and Sinead Carlson and Niamh Taylor both from Doherty.

Boys 13-14 with Champion Jack Quinn from Uí Shé  Ireland
Photo: Rhiannon Gilvarry

North America is home to five 2012 World Irish Dancing Champions - two from the Mid-America Region and one each from Eastern Canada, Mid-Atlantic, New England and the Western United States.  Four of the five are brand new World Irish Dancing Champions, though all have topped the podium at other international Irish dancing competitions, including the North American National Irish Dancing Championships.

Ladies 20-21 with Therese Corless from Aaron Crosbie England
Photo: Feis America LLC

Four 2012 World Irish Dancing Champions are from England/Wales: Ruari McCabe, Boys 10-11 is from Morgan in the Northwest Region and defending champion Therese Corless, Ladies 20-21, is from Aaron Crosbie in the Southern Region.  Two additional champions - John Whitehurst, boys 12-13, and Caolan McKeating-Lynch, boys 16-17, are from Carey Academy in the Midlands Region, England/Wales.

Girls 13-14 with Brogan McCay from McConomy Bradley Ireland
Photo: Alanna Lynch

Two multi-time World Irish Dancing Championships call Scotland home.  Sean Downes, Boys 15-16, dances with McCutcheon and claimed his fifth World title in 2012.  Suzanne Coyle, Senior Ladies, from the McLaughlin School reclaimed her title in a three-way rivalry made famous in the documentary "Jig".

2012 An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha

World Irish Dancing Champions - Boys/Men

Boys 10-11:  Ruari McCabe from Morgan, Northwest Region, ENGLAND

Boys 11-12:  Ronan Kelly from Sylvan-Kelly, Connaught Region, IRELAND

Boys 12-13:  John Whitehurst from Carey, Midlands Region, ENGLAND/WALES

Boys 13-14:  Jack Quinn from Ui She, Leinster Region, IRELAND

Boys 14-15:  Peter Dziak from Trinity Academy, Mid-America Region, USA

Boys 15-16:  Sean Downes from McCutcheon, SCOTLAND

Boys 16-17: Caolan McKeating Lynch from Carey, Midlands Region, ENGLAND/WALES

Men 17-18:  David Geaney from Rinceoiri Ni Riochta, Munster Region, IRELAND

Men 18-19:  John Lonergan from Kiely-Walsh, Munster Region, IRELAND

Men 19-21:  Cathal Keaney from Hession, Connaught Region, IRELAND
Senior Men:  Michael Holland from Richens/Timm, Mid-America Region, USA

2012 An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha

World Irish Dancing Champions - Girls/Ladies

Girls 10-11:  Emma Casey from McConomy, Ulster Region, IRELAND

Girls 11-12:  Keeva Corry from Crogan-Greene, Munster Region, IRELAND

Girls 12-13:  Brogan McCay from McConomy Bradley, Ulster Region, IRELAND

Girls 13-14:  Tie between Cyra Taylor from McConomy Bradley, Ulster Region, IRELAND

                    and Melanie Valdes from Petri, Mid-Atlantic Region, USA

Girls 14-15:  Shannon Bradley from Doherty, Ulster Region, IRELAND

Girls 15-16:  Michaela Hinds from Butler-Fearon-O'Connor, Eastern Region, CANADA

Girls 16-17:  Melissa McCarthy from Harney, New England Region, USA

Ladies 17-18:  Sinead Carson from Doherty, Ulster Region, IRELAND

Ladies 18-19:  Niamh Taylor from Doherty, Ulster Region, IRELAND

Ladies 19-20:  Therese Corless from Aaron Crosbie, Southern Region, ENGLAND

Ladies 20-21:  Olivia Griffin from Butler-Fearon-O'Connor, USA

Senior Ladies:  Suzanne Coyle from McLaughlin, SCOTLAND

Check back here for news, results, photos, interviews and more! Help us celebrate Irish dancing by sharing this story with your friends, like Feis America Magazine on FaceBook, Tweet the link or start a conversation with a comment in the message box below. THANK YOU!