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!

World Irish Dancing Championship senior men and ladies top ten results - VIDEO

Michael Holland from Richens/Timm Ohio
wins 2012 Senior Men's World Irish Dancing Championship
Photo Caitlin Holland

To the delight of competitive Irish dance enthusiasts around the world, two favorites claimed the top spot on the podium Saturday in the Senior Ladies' and Senior Men's competitions of the World Irish Dancing Championships!  Suzanne Coyle from McLaughlin in Scotland, won her 5th World Champion title and Michael Holland from Richens/Timm in Ohio, who just this year moved up to the Senior Men category, clinched his first World Championship.

Suzanne Coyle
2012 Senior Ladies World Irish Dancing Champion
Photo by Jean Lennon Schuhle

Coyle, a star of Wellpark Productions documentary "Jig" about the 2010 World Irish Dancing Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, beat 153 other entrants in the Senior Ladies competition for the title.

In this event, Open Champion-level Irish dancers from Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, England/Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Russia, Scotland, South Africa and the United States took to the stage.  The panel of adjudicators was treated to performances by ladies aged 21 and over, most of whom have been dancing for well over ten years, if not fifteen or more.

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Read more:

2 North American Teams Top 2 World Champs

World Champion Irish Dancing School McGing

Jack Quinn Defends World Irish Dancing Champion Title Again

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Holland, who recently placed 3rd at the 2012 All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championships, holds the 2009 All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championship for Men 18-19.  He is the oldest of four siblings - Patrick, Caitlin and Rachel, who all dance with Richens/Timm Academy.  He started with his young cousins because it was fun, but his teachers, including the late Ann Richens, ADCRG, earmarked him as a World Champion almost right away.

Michael Holland, defending North American Champion
with the late Ann Richens, ADCRG
at the 2011 North American National Irish Dancing Championships
Photo courtesy Richens/Timm

Coyle and Holland entertained the audience of thousands at Belfast's Waterfront Easter Sunday as the Senior team competitions ended the ninth and final day of the World Irish Dancing Championships hosted by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha. 

Congratulations to all of the competitors in the Senior Ladies' and Senior Men events this year, and best wishes for continued success and enjoyment with Irish dancing in your adult lives!

2012 World Irish Dancing Championships

Top 10 Senior Ladies

1-Suzanne Coyle - McLaughlin - Scotland

2-Claire Greaney - Hession - Ireland

3-Simona Mauriello - Maguire-O'Shea - England

4-Emma Warren - Elaine Kavanagh - Ireland

5-Siobhan Casey - Doherty - England/Wales

6-Frances Dunne - Doherty - England/Wales

7-Nicole Donaghy - McLaughlin - Scotland

8-Rebecca Loughran - Doherty - England/Wales

9-Janine Taggart - Doherty - England/Wales

10-Colbee Mifsud - Kennedy - Ireland

Top 10 Senior Men

1-Michael Holland - Richens/Timm - USA

2-Jan Gaca - Ceim Oir - England

3-Daithi Fisher - Doherty - Ireland

4-Benedict Devlin - Maguire O'Shea - England

5-Sam Davies - Ui She - Ireland

6-Jonathon Srour - Broesler - USA

7-Nicholas Andison - Butler-Fearon-O'Connor - Canada

8-Ryan Fox - Doherty - Ireland

9-Conor Kennedy - Kenny - England/Wales

10-Michael Padgett - Doherty - Ireland

 

Stay tuned for more photos and results from team and solo competitions from the 2012 World Irish Dancing Championships!

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!

Two North American teams top World Irish Dancing Championships -- top ten results

Cashel-Dennehy School of Irish Dance
2012 World Irish Dancing Girls 13-16 Ceili Champions
Photo courtesy OnTheFeis

Two groups of young ladies aged 16-19 from North America beat out 35 other girls' 8-hand ceili teams for  the Top Two positions on the podium at the World Irish Dancing Championships Friday.  Eight girls from Cashel-Dennehy School of Irish Dance in Wisconsin were awarded the 2012 World Irish Dancing Championship, and Claddagh Irish Dance Company's team, from California, stepped up just after to accept the 2nd place award.  Cashel-Dennehy is also home to the 2010 World Irish Dancing Championship for the under 16 girls' ceili team.

Claddagh Irish Dance Company
2nd place Girls Ceili 13-16
World Irish Dancing Championships
Photo courtesy OnTheFe

Four North American teams were among the nineteen that recalled after the first round of dancing.  Groups from Marie Moore Irish Dance in New Jersey and Mulhern School of Irish Dance in Illinois, also put on fine shows for the adjudicators in the second round.  Marie Moore ended up in 6th place and Mulhern in 12th.

Mark Mohan, Paul O'Donnell and Liam O'Sullivan
Photo courtesy OnTheFeis

The message boards and Facebook, as well as OnTheFeis was inundated about the fine quality of music all week, and especially during the team competitions.  Credit is due Mark Mohan, Paul O'Donnell and Liam O'Sullivan for their expertise and outstanding performances which accompanied the World-qualified teams

2012 World Irish Dancing Championships

Top 10 Ladies (16-19) Ceili Results

1-Cashel-Dennehy - Wisconsin, USA

2-Claddagh - California, USA

3-Kiely-Walsh - Munster Region, Ireland

4-Doherty-Ulster Region, Ireland

5 Carey-Midlands Region, England/Wales

6-Marie Moore - New Jersey, USA

7-Caroline Greene - Scotland

8 - Ceim Oir - Southern Region, England

9 - Mona Ni Rodaigh - Ulster Region, Ireland

10 - Kelly Hendry - North East Region, England

Stay tuned for more photos and results from team and solo competitions from the 2012 World Irish Dancing Championships!

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!

World Irish Dancing Championships Saturday - girls 11-12 top ten results

When the littlest girls finished their first two rounds at the World Irish Dancing Championships, the second group to take the stage seem like old hats at this major international competition thing.  After all, as girls aged 11-12 they could already have one World Irish Dancing Championship experience under their belt.  Most have competed at the All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championships this year or last, and they performed well at a qualifying event or they wouldn't have made it here.

The big stage and bright lights are less intimidating than one might remember.  There are seven adjudicators watching instead of five or three, and it can be a bit daunting when announcements are made in Gaelic before English.  But when the music starts and the rhythm clicks in, the steps are as natural as the beating of one's own heart.  It has been said that for these youths, there is nothing in the world that comes close to the thrill of Irish dancing on the Worlds' stage.

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Read more:

World Irish Dancing Championships International Adjudicator Panel

World Champion Irish Dance School McGing Ohio

World Irish Dancing Championships Preview
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A whopping 64 Irish dancers from North America comprised nearly half of the 143 registrants for the Girls 11-12 competition.  After the heavy and light rounds had been danced, just 14 North Americans made it to the recall round.  In the end, two-time North American National Irish Dancing Champion Ava-Marie Schroder from Mattierin rose to the top position of all North Americans in 8th place.

Ashley Smith, Chloe Williams and Laura Pentimone-Pace
from Ardmore Academy in Rutherford, New Jersey
Photo: Jodie Williams

Three additional United States' dancers made the Top 20:  Caitlin Ward from Donny Golden (13th), Orla Mullane-Godley from Mullane-Healy-Godley (14th) and Margaret Muise from Tim O'Hare (17th).  Ten dancers from across North America placed from 21st to 47th:  Kerri Betz from Ryan Kilcoyne, Julia Marino and Emily McEwen from Rince na Tiarna, Nicoletta and Julianna Bremer-Summa from Bremer, Seana Isaac from O'Grady-Quinlan, Jayne Rush from Mullane-Healy-Godley, Chloe Williams from Ardmore, Grace Metcalfe from Butler-Fearon-O'Connor Eastern Canada and Caitlyn Maurer from Petri.

Special congratulations go out to Keeva Corry from Croghan-Greene in the Ulster Region, Ireland on defending her title as the 2011 World Irish Dancing Champion for Girls 10-11.

2012 World Irish Dancing Championships

Top 10 Girls 11-12

1-Keeva Corry  Croghan-Greene, Ireland

2-Mairead Trainor-Aitken  Trainor, England

3-Liadh McGrath-Sylvan Kelly, Ireland

4-Beth Monaghan-Carey, England/Wales

5-Niamh Neale-Doherty, Ireland

6-Lucy Lynch-Ui She, Ireland

7-Tegan Rodden-Ar Rialla O'Donoghue, Ireland

8-Ava-Marie Schroder-Mattierin, Canada

9-Aoibheann Doyle- Ni Chearra O'Baolain-McMahon, Ireland

10-Ellie Conlon-McLaughlin, Scotland

Stay tuned for the next installment... more articles and results every day here on Go Feis! The Irish Dance Blog!

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!

World Irish Dancing Championships Saturday - top ten results girls 10-11

Belfast Welcomes World Irish Dancing Championships Again

Girls 10-11 Results

With 131 girls registered to compete in the youngest World Irish Dancing Championship competition, it is easy to think of words such as "adorable" and "cute" when describing the dancers who are 10-11 years old.  But when these dancers took the stage in groups of three to dance first a heavy and then a light round, it quickly becomes clear that these are athletes of Olympic stature, with maximum grace, power, stamina and agility.  Traveling from as far away as Australia and New Zealand or as close as the next Irish county, families and teachers by the thousands are converging upon this historic city of Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The opening ceremony was exciting with a welcome by Belfast's Lord Mayor Niall O'Donnghaile and an outstanding performance by McPeake and friends that started off with flagbearers.  An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha chairman Sean MacDonnchadha referred the glory of shipbuilding in the area that could not be tainted by the Titanic's fateful maiden voyage, citing the local idiom "she was fine when she left here".  He took the metaphor one step further advising the competitors that "the best ship is friendship" and encouraged each to shoot for their personal best and not to worry about the other competitors.
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Read more:

World Irish Dancing Championships International Adjudicator Panel

World Champion Irish Dance School McGing Ohio

World Irish Dancing Championships Preview
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With 56 of 131 entered in Girls 10-11, competitive dancers from Canada and the United States represented half or more of all the entrants.  In spite of the fact that all but one of North America's regional Irish dancing champions danced [Nora Ahern from Gilleoghan Irish Dance due to an adjudicator conflict], only a small percentage recalled:  15 for Girls 10-11 .  When all was said and done, North America's youngest qualified talent did hit the podium, but many may have left disappointed.  The  World Qualification itself is an incredible achievement; the memories made and time spent with family and friends in Belfast will last a lifetime for those who did not get to dance a third round.

The highest-placing North American in Girls 10-11 was Farran Dougherty from the Broesler School of Irish Dance with locations in Maryland, New Jersey and New York.  Dougherty placed 4th, the same position she recently achieved at the 2012 All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championships.  Rince na Tiarna's Emily Marino placed 6th. Sydney Niewiedicz from Trinity-13th, Grace Wright from Mullane-Healy-Godley at 14th, Olivia Nachtigal-Mattierin 17th, Sierra Donovan-O'Rourke at 18th and Cosette DeBourbon-Regan at 19th make seven North Americans in the Top 20!  Eight additional North Americans placed between 30th and 43rd place:  Maggie Priole, Kasey Methven, Maggie Whibbs, Delia Duran, Kate Contini, Meghan Gibbons, Sarah Campeau and Sadie Kiley Bucknam.

2012 World Irish Dancing Championships
Top 10 Girls 10-11

1-Emma Casey – McConomy – Ireland

2-Clodagh Davis – Carson – Ireland

3-Nicole McConway – McConomy Bradley – Ireland
4-Farran Dougherty – Broesler – USA

5-Sarah McDowell – Ard Rialla O’Donoghue – Ireland

6-Emily Marino – Rince na Tiarna – USA

7-Anna Mc Elhinney – McConomy Bradley – Ireland

8-Chloe Devine – Mulvenna – Ireland
9 (tie) Eilis Higgins Duggan - Ireland and Lara Ni Oisin - Scoil Rince Ui Bhriain - Ireland

Stay tuned for the next installment... more articles and results every day here on Go Feis! The Irish Dance Blog!

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!

2012 World Irish Dancing Championships international judging panel

2011 Mid-Atlantic Regional Irish Dancing Championships
Girls under 13

Irish dance enthusiasts around the world eagerly await tomorrow's start to the 42nd World Irish Dancing Championships, hosted by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha (the World Irish Dancing Commission). When the competitions begin in Belfast, Northern Ireland on March 31st, a panel of esteemed adjudicators from Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States will begin the difficult job of selecting the best competitive Irish dancers in the world today.


The youngest entrants in the World Irish Dancing Championships each year are boys and girls aged 10-turning 11 in 2012 who have qualified at their regional or national Irish dancing championships. Males and females dance in separate competitions, by age, up to the Senior Ladies and Senior Men categories, known as Over 21. A total of 22 solo competitions with both light and heavy rounds, and the fact that up to half of all the competitors may recall overall and dance a third round means that judges will view thousands of reels, jigs and hornpipes over eight days in two venues. In addition, there are 14 team competitions, ranging from eight all-female or mixed male-female ceili groups to dance drama and choreography.

Trinity Academy of Irish Dance's under 12 Figure Team

It stands to reason that the officials selected for this important work each year are themselves accomplished Irish dancers and teachers, many from the second or third generation of a long-family history of Irish dancers. Association rules prevent dancers having a direct or indirect relationship with an adjudicator from competing, so even though a dancer may have qualified for the World Irish Dancing Championships in 2012, their qualification is postponed one year to 2013. This year, adjudicators include former World and All-Ireland Irish Dancing champions, medalists and team-members, as well as certified Irish dance teachers (TCRGs) whose students qualify, medal and place at major competitions. A few of 2012's judges are also certified Grade Examiners for An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha; another is considered an academic authority on Irish step dancing, having taught at universities. While their experiences and locations around the world may be unique - two are also award-winning musicians, another is a published author - they all share a passion for Irish dancing and culture and convey their honor at judging this prestigious event and best wishes to all the competitors.

The 2012 World Irish Dancing Championship judges (adjudicators) include Conor Hayes - Mulcahy-Hayes School of Irish Dance in Victoria, Australia; Glenn Simpson - Druid Academy of Irish Dance, Toronto, Canada; from England: Anthony Costello, Siobhan Dorman and Breeda Mulcahy - Costello School of Irish Dancing; Mary Diggins Murphy from Murchu Duiginn School in London; Doreen O'Connor; and Tara Dey from Ryan-Dey Academy in The Midlands; from Ireland: Orfhlaith Ni Bhriain; Annette Doolan-Kane from Doolan-Kane School in Westmeath; and Grainne Ni Chonchubhair; and from the United States: Margaret Cleary from Cleary School in California; Bernadette Dillon-Gavin from Dillon-Gavin School in Illinois; James P. Early from Early-McLoughlin School in New York; and Philip Owens from Gilleóghan Irish Dance in Connecticut.

Stay tuned... for more about the Girls 10-11 and 11-12 who will compete Saturday at the opening of the World Irish Dancing Championships!

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 4th - 5th February Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

by Patricia McNamara, Feis America contributor

Heading to Houston this weekend for the Heart of Texas Feis or Bloomington for the Mall of America Feis? How about Ohio for the North Coast Feis, New York for the O'Rourke Feis or Utah for the Shelley Wasatch Winterfeis? Alberta, Canada for the Edmonton Irish Sports and Social Society Feis? Or maybe Connecticut for the Shamrock School 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—inspired by Nickelodeon’s hit TV shows. Best of luck to all competitors and be sure to come back and share your results with us!

“Freak The Freak Out” – Victorious Cast ft. Victoria Justice
Get pumped up. Then watch as everyone freaks out with your awesome kicks and clicks.


“Million Dollars” – Miranda Cosgrove
Listen to this in the morning and you, too, will feel like a million bucks.


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READ MORE:
Songs for the 28th - 29th January Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

Songs for the Jan. 21-22 Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

Songs for the Jan. 14-15 Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS
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“Music Sounds Better With U” – Big Time Rush
But, really, the music sounds even better when your hard shoes are dancing along.


“Generation Love” – Jennette McCurdy
This country jam is the perfect cool-down song after stretches and warm ups that will help you feel the love.

Songs for the Jan. 28-29 Irish dancing competitions – VIDEOS

by PATRICIA MCNAMARA, Feis America Magazine contributor

Heading to Colorado this weekend for the Colorado Winterfeis or Connecticut for the Horgan Academy Winter Feis? How about Ontario for the O'Donnell Winter 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 here and share your results!

“Titanium” – David Guetta ft. Sia
This jam will make you feel fearless and have nothing to lose when you get out on stage.


“Just Be” – Tiësto
Just be…an amazing dancer, because you know you are!


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READ MORE:
Songs for the Jan. 21-22 Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

Songs for the Jan. 14-15 Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

Songs for the Jan. 7-8 Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS
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“Move (If You Wanna)” – MIMS
C'mon, you know you wanna.


“Pickin’ It Up” – Hot Hot Heat
Listening to this will not only pick up your spirits, but wake you up for those early competitions.

Songs for the Jan. 21-22 Irish dancing competitions – VIDEOS

by PATRICIA MCNAMARA, Feis America Magazine contributor

Heading to Calgary this weekend for the Blakey Feis or Georgia for the King O’Sullivan Winter Feis? How about Wisconsin for the Wisconsin Winterfeis?

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 here and share your results!

“I Like The Way You Move” – Outkast
And the adjudicators will, too.


“Groove Is In The Heart” – Deee-Lite
This will definitely wake you up…and remind you to put your heart into every dance.


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READ MORE:
Songs for the Jan. 14-15 Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

Songs for the Jan. 7-8 Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

Songs for the Dec. 30-Jan. 1 Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS
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“Start The Commotion” – The Wiseguys
Listen to this, then start a commotion on stage with your fast footwork and leaps.


“Keep Your Head Up” – Andy Grammer
This will help you calm your nerves. Because no matter the results, you’ll turn out fine…as long as you keep your head up.

Songs for the Jan. 14-15 Irish dancing competitions – VIDEOS

by PATRICIA MCNAMARA, Feis America Magazine contributor

Heading to Arizona this weekend for Feis in the Desert or Louisiana for Feis New Orleans? How about Cancun, Mexico for Inishfree Feis Cancun? Or Connecticut for the Pender Keady Academy Feis or New York for Feis na Blian Nua?

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 here and share your results!

“Under Pressure” – David Bowie and Queen
Listening to this on the way to competition will help you realize, you’re not the only one feeling the nerves. Phew!


“Happy” – Fischerspooner
This tune will just simply make you happy. Who wouldn’t want that?!


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READ MORE:
Songs for the Jan. 7-8 Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

Songs for the Dec. 30-Jan. 1 Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

Take a holiday break from Irish dance with Christmas tunes - VIDEOS
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“Get Me Bodied” – Beyoncé
“A little sweat ain’t never hurt nobody,” so get out there and show the judges what you’ve got!


“Dancing Choose” – TV On The Radio
If this doesn’t want to make you start dancing, we don’t know what will.

Songs for the Jan. 7-8 Irish dancing competitions – VIDEOS

by PATRICIA MCNAMARA, Feis America Magazine contributor

Heading to Pennsylvania this weekend for Feis na Cara? Or maybe you’re simply gearing up for a new year of feiseanna.

No matter your competitive destination this weekend (or beyond), we want to share four tunes you should add to your own playlist before lacing up and taking the stage.

“T.H.E [The Hardest Ever]” – will.i.am ft. Mick Jagger & Jennifer Lopez
Are you gonna dance your hardest this weekend?


“Let’s See How Far We’ve Come” – Matchbox Twenty
This toe-tapping beat will make you think about all of your Irish dance accomplishments from last year…and focus on your goals for 2012.


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READ MORE:
Songs for the Dec. 30-Jan. 1 Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

Take a holiday break from Irish dance with Christmas tunes - VIDEOS

Christmas songs for the break in Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS
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“Born To Run” – Bruce Springsteen
OK, more like you were born to dance. But ya get the point.


“Good Feeling” – Flo Rida
Listen to this and you’ll have a good feeling about your dancing, too.

Songs for the Dec. 30-Jan. 1 Irish dancing competitions – VIDEOS

by PATRICIA MCNAMARA, Feis America Magazine contributor

Heading to Pennsylvania this weekend for the Pittsburgh Winter Feis 2011? Or maybe you’re just starting to think about the feiseanna to tackle in 2012.

No matter your competitive destination this holiday weekend, we wanted to share four New Year’s 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!

“Celtic New Year” – Van Morrison
Its mellow tune will keep you relaxed on the ride to competition.


“Next Year” – Foo Fighters
Listen to this song and start envisioning your best dancing marks in 2012.


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READ MORE:
Take a holiday break from Irish dance with Christmas tunes - VIDEOS

Christmas songs for the break in Irish dancing competitions - VIDEOS

Songs for the Dec. 10-11 Irish dancing competitions – VIDEOS
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“New Years Resoultion” – The Limousines
Put this on, then make a 2012 resolution to tackle a new set piece or jig.


“What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” - Katharine McPhee
Hopefully celebrating a win or starting to plan out your 2012 feiseanna route.


How are you ringing in 2012? Share in the comments below!