World Irish Dancing Championships Doherty ladies defending champions - top ten results

Sinead Carson from Doherty
2012 World Irish Dancing Champion Ladies 17-18
Photo Janine Taggart

Sinead Carson and Niamh Taylor from Doherty in Ireland defended their World Irish Dancing Championship titles - and it was not the first time for either of these amazing Irish dancers, who also hold multiple consecutive All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championship titles, including 2012.

Sinead Carson, the 2012 World Irish Dancing Champion for Ladies 17-18, has held her position at the top of the podium since 2009. There were 129 female Irish dancers from 8 countries registered for this year's competition which is taking place all week at Belfast's Waterfront. Carson beat top World qualifiers from Australia, Austria, Canada, England, Hungary, Ireland, Scotland and the United States. 

Niamh Taylor with John Lonergan
both are 2012 World and All Ireland Irish Dancing Champions
Photo courtesy John Lonergan

Niamh Taylor, the 2012 World Irish Dancing Champion for Ladies 18-19, who won the Worlds in 2007 and 2008 reclaimed her title in 2011. This is her fourth World Irish Dancing Championship win.

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Read more:

World Irish Dancing Championship Results Sunday

New England's Melissa McCarthy Clinches World Title

Irish and American Share World Irish Dancing Championship

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2012 World Irish Dancing Championship

Top 10 Ladies 17-18: 

1 Sinead Carson Doherty 

2 Alana Pearson Ceim Oir 

3 Jessie Leach McGahan-Lees 

4 Sinead Malone Caroline Greene

5 Kate Kaneko Peter Smith USA

6 Ceili Moore Aisling 

7 Olivia Graydon Maguire-O'Shea 

8 Kevinah Dargan Rince Na Tiarna USA

9 Catriona O'Neill Doherty 

10 Eadaoin McGinley Croghan-Greene 

Top 20 Ladies 18-19: 

1 Niamh Taylor Doherty 

2 Caroline Gray McGahan-Lees 

3 Alesandra Doughty McDade-Cara USA

4 Maggie Eileen Doyle Trinity USA

5 Jasmine Withers Kenny 

6 Clodagh Roper Domican 

7 Lindsay McBride Ni Fhearraigh O'Ceallaigh Eastern Canada

8 Bobbie Trotter Carey 

9 Tori Lopez Comerford USA

10 Taylor Kerrane Petri USA

The Doherty School of Irish Dancing was founded in 2001 by Gavin and Seaneen Doherty and has studios and classes in Belfast and Derry in the Ulster Region, Ireland.  Since that time, Doherty has experienced tremendous success in international major Irish dancing competitions for both solos and teams.

For up-to-the-moment commentary, visit Feis America on FaceBook! Top 10 results, photos and interviews will be added here on Go Feis! The Irish Dance Blog frequently all week as well.

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!

New England's Melissa McCarthy from Harney Academy clinches World Irish Dancing Championship

Melissa McCarthy
2012 World Irish Dancing Champion Girls 15-16
Photo: McCarthy Family

Melissa McCarthy climbed to the top of the World Irish Dancing Championship podium Tuesday with the quiet confidence of the young lady who won her first North American National Irish Dancing Championships in 2011!  The 15 year-old from Harney Academy in Massachusetts beat 2012 All-Ireland and 2010 and 2011 World Irish Dancing Champion Ann Paige Turilli from New York in the Girls 15-16 competition at Belfast's Waterfront.  McCarthy is also an eight-time New England Regional Irish Dancing Champion, having competed twice in the under 8 event.

Turilli, the 2012 All-Ireland and 2010 and 2011 World Irish Dancing Champion, placed second.  Mackenzie Mahler, from the Blakey School in Western Canada rounded out the Top Three.  So far, this is the only competition at Worlds that has seen three North Americans in the Top Three!

Melissa McCarthy, 2011 North American Irish Dancing Champion
with friends Tayler Nunes and Grace Schiller from Harney Academy.
Photo Feis America LLC

Liam Harney, TCRG, ADCRG, was overjoyed with his Irish dance student's win and to the delight of his friends and fans, performed a little victory dance on stage.  Harney himself is a two-time World Irish Dancing Champion, having won the Junior Men's event in 1984 and the Senior Men's event in 1987.

Harney said, "I always knew I would be happy to have a student win the Worlds but I had no idea that I would be this happy.  I have been hit with a wave of proud and happy emotions that seem to be with me each day when I wake up!  It's true, she did it!  Melissa actually did it! She's a World Champion!"

World Champion teacher and student!
Melissa McCarthy with Liam Harney, TCRG/ADCRG
Photo: McCarthy Family

According to Harney Academy, "It is Liam's dynamic style and positive attitude that has propelled the students of the Academy into world-class distinction.  His personal commitment and spirited personality invigorate and fuel the schools' dance programs.  His skills as a choreographer coupled with his extensive performing arts background transcend the school and immerse students [with] progressive and traditional dance numbers."

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Melissa McCarthy is grateful to her teachers Liam and Sally Harney, with whom she has been dancing since age four.  She says, ""It was just so amazing and I couldn't have done it without the help and support of my teachers and friends!  I was so glad to be up there with my two other North American girls... all the girls up there are amazing!"

Stay tuned for the next installment... more articles and results every day here on Go Feis! The Irish Dance Blog!  Follow daily commentary on Feis America's Facebook page for up to the moment World Irish Dancing Championships results and progress.

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!

Michaela Hinds Clinches Fourth World Irish Dancing Championship Title

Teachers from Butler-Fearon-O'Connor School of Irish Dance
poses with 4-time World champion Michaela Marie Hinds.
Photo: Mackenzie Goggin-Wade

Michaela Hinds, who dances with the Butler-Fearon-O'Connor School of Irish Dance in Eastern Canada won the 2012 World Irish Dancing Championship for Girls 16-17 Wednesday with a perfect score of 800. Hinds now holds the distinction of being the only North American to have won four consecutive World Irish Dancing Championship titles.

Four-time World Irish Dancing Champion Michaela Marie Hinds
from Butler-Fearon-O'Connor Eastern Canada
Photo: MacKenzie Goggin-Wade

Hinds, whose trophy collection includes the North American National Irish Dancing Championship, the All-Scotland Irish Dancing Championship, the All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championship and the Great Britain Irish Dancing Championship, is also a seven-time Eastern Canadian Regional Irish Dancing Champion.

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Read more:

North American dancers clean up at All-Ireland Irish Dancing Champs

Canada: 2 regions and 52 regional Irish dancing champions

North American National Irish Dancing Championship 2011
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Cathy Hinds, proud mother of Michaela Marie Hinds, shares the stage in Belfast.
Photo Mackenzie Goggin-Wade

Hinds started competing at Irish dancing in 2003.  Practicing at the dance studio in Brampton, Ontario and at home up to forty hours a week, Hinds is also an exemplary high school student. The trip to Belfast this year is a return home to her mother Cathy's birthplace.

Michaela Marie Hinds with Sarah Campeau
Photo: Catie Clancy Ortiz

Michaela enjoys teaching jigs, reels and hornpipes to other students at Butler-Fearon-O'Connor and serves as a role model to many of the younger dancers.  Surrounded by friends, including some of the girls with whom she has been competing against all these years, Hinds beams and looks forward to celebrating back at home with the friends there.

Michaela with friends Laura Pastor, Claire Gallibois,
Justine Bongers and Mackenzie Goggin-Wade in Belfast.
Photo courtesy Mackenzie Goggin-Wade

Hinds also has an ultimate fan in Mitchell Ferris, who posted on her Facebook page after awards: "With a perfect score for a perfect girl, I am so happy to be able to share this with her in Belfast".


Stay tuned for the next installment... more articles and results every day here on Go Feis! The Irish Dance Blog!  Follow daily commentary on Feis America's Facebook page for up to the moment World Irish Dancing Championships results and progress.

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!

Brogan McCay from "Jig" Defends World Irish Dancing Championship

Brogan McCay brings home the gold again
from the 2012 World Irish Dancing Championships!
Photo Dance.Net

The 42nd World Irish Dancing Championships, hosted by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha, started March 31st and runs through Easter Sunday, April 8th.  An estimated 25,000 competitors, teachers and fans of Irish dancing have enjoyed four days of solo and team competitions thus far.  Monday's competitions included Boys 12-13 and Girls 12-13, to the delight of thousands in attendance at Belfast's Waterfront Hall.

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Read more:

Irish and American share World Championship title Girls 13-14

"Jig"'s John Whitehurst reclaims World Championship title Boys 12-13

Win Tickets to Riverdance's Final Performance on Irish Central

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Brogan, who dances with  Scoil Rince McConomy Bradley in Derry, Ireland, defended her 2011 World Irish Dancing Championship title Monday in the Girls 12-13 competition.  The Worlds title is the capstone in a streak of wins for McCay in 2011 which includes the British National Irish Dancing Championship and All-Scotland Irish Dancing Championship titles.

Brogan McCay, Girls under 12
2011 All-Scotland Irish Dancing Champion
Photo courtesy Claymaker52

Brogan McCay swept Irish dance enthusiasts around the world off their feet in Sue Bourne's highly-acclaimed documentary "Jig" with these few words: "My name is Brogan McCay and I'm ten years old and I'll be going to the Worlds for the very first time".  For the first time ever, the public is given a glimpse into the journey to what is virtually the Olympics of Irish dancing through the eyes of  champions like McCay and  her friendly-rival, Julia O'Rourke from the Petri School in New York.  In the film, O'Rourke wins the 2010 World Irish Dancing Championship title with McCay taking second place.

Brogan McCay starred in "Jig" the documentary film about the 2010 World Irish Dancing Championships.
Photo:Wellpark Productions

Brogan McKay said, "I love my teachers from Scoil Rince McConomy Bradley!"

And suffice it to say, they surely love Brogan too!

For up-to-the-moment commentary, visit Feis America on FaceBook! Top 10 results, photos and interviews will be added here on Go Feis! The Irish Dance Blog frequently all week as well.

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!

Irish and American share World Irish Dancing Championship title

Co-Champions Cyra Taylor and Melanie Valdes with their teachers
2012 Girls 13-14 World Irish Dancing Championship
Photo courtesy On The Feis

Cyra Taylor from Scoil Rince McConomy Bradley in the Ulster Region, Ireland defended her 2011 World Irish Dancing Championship title Monday, with one caveat.  Taylor, also the 2009 World Irish Dancing Champion (then as a McConomy student), shared the podium for the Girls 13-14 title with Melanie Valdes from the Petri School in New York.  Tied at a score of 700, the friendly rivals were reunited as it were, having shared the All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championship podium in 2011.

Cyra Taylor, 2011 World Irish Dancing Champion
Photo Feis America LLC

Taylor recently claimed the 2012 All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championship for Girls 13-14, her third All-Ireland title since she first competed at the event in 2008.  She also has only ever placed first or second in the World for her age group since she was eligible and qualified to compete starting 2009 and has won nearly every major competition she has ever entered.  Taylor, the youngest of three girls, started dancing at age three and never looked back, according to her mother, Gina Taylor in an article in the Belfast Telegraph.

Melanie Valdes, who clinched the prestigious North American Feis Commission's Minor Belt in 2011, first competed at the All-Irelands and Worlds in 2009.  Often placing 2nd to Taylor's 1st at major competitions (2009 Worlds, 2008-2009-2011 All-Scotlands), Valdes won the 2010 All-Scotland Irish Dancing Championship, beating Taylor for the first time.

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Read more:

John Whitehurst from "Jig" Reclaims World Title

World Irish Dancing Championships Girls 11-12 Top 10 Results

A Look Back at 2011's Top North American Male Irish Dancers

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Both Taylor and Valdes are multi-time regional and national champions.  Valdes holds the North American National Irish Dancing Championship for her age group since 2009; Taylor reigns as the Ulster Region and Great Britain Irish Dancing Champion as well as the British National Irish Dancing Champion for several years.

On Facebook, Taylor said, "So happy!!  Can't believe I have won the Worlds four years ina row!!  I couldn't have done it without my two fabulous teachers Elan and Rosetta [McConomy-Bradley]!"

Melanie Valdes, 2012 World Irish Dancing Co-Champion
Photo: Gil Valdes

As many who know the girls well have said, they clearly inspire each other - and the other dancers in their competitions - to dance the very best on every occasion.  The joy they have shared in past achievements is simply the icing on the cake of a unique friendship between two outstanding young athletes.

2012 World Irish Dancing Championships

Girls 13-14 Top 10

Co-Champions Cyra Taylor from McConomy Bradley, Ulster Ireland

 and Melanie Valdes from Petri, Mid-Atlantic New York

3-Meghan Bonner from Bonner-Cannon, Ireland

4-Rohan Bole from Caroline Greene, Scotland

5-Ruby-Mae Anthony from Glendarragh, England/Wales

6-Jessica Everitt from Sean Eireann McMahon, England/Wales

7-Taylor-Lee Keating from Cowhie-Ryan, Ireland

8-Katelyn Babcock from Murray, New England USA

9-Caroline Cofoid from Mulhern, Mid America USA

10-Ciara Loughran from King, England

For up-to-the-moment commentary, visit Feis America on FaceBook! Top 10 results, photos and interviews will be added here on Go Feis! The Irish Dance Blog frequently all week as well.


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 Sunday "Jig's" John Whitehurst from Carey reclaims title

2012 World Irish Dancing Champion John Whitehurst
with Beth Monaghan - Carey Academy England
Photo: Susan Gaynor

John Whitehurst reclaimed the World Irish Dancing Championship title he won in 2010 Sunday, to the delight of Jig The Film fans and Irish dance enthusiasts everywhere.  The young Irish dancer from Carey Academy in England won hearts and admirers with his story on getting to the 2010 World Irish Dancing Championships.  Under the expert tutelage of 8-time World and All-Ireland Irish Dancing Champion John Carey, ADCRG, and with the support and sacrifices of his loving family, Whitehurst is living the dream of every competitive Irish dancer.

Eye on the prize! 
2012 World Irish Dancing Champion John Whitehurst
with McKenzie Francis Langford Hodgson - Carey Academy
Photo: Susan Gaynor

Whitehurst also holds the All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championship title for 2010 and 2011; he did not compete in 2012.  Gerard Byrne, from McNelis-Cunningham in Ireland, was the 2011 World Irish Dancing Champion for Boys 11-12 when Whitehurst placed 2nd.  Byrne is now the 2012 All-Ireland Irish Dancing Champion for Boys 12-13. Whitehurst was also the 2010 North American National Irish Dancing Champion for Boys under 11.



Enjoy this all-star video of the 2010 North American National Parade of Champions which features Patrick Mello from Harney, World and All-Ireland Champion John Whitehurst, Owen Luebbers from Broesler, Macauley Selwood from The Academy, Nathan Dale from Mullane-Healy-O'Brien (now Mullane-Healy-Godley), World and All-Ireland Champion Drew Lovejoy from McGing, World and All-Ireland Champion Joe Bitter from Carey; Lorcan Balfe from Butler-Fearon-O'Connor Eastern Canada and Peter Ryan from Smith-Houlihan.

For up-to-the-moment commentary, visit Feis America on FaceBook! Top 10 results, photos and interviews will be added here on Go Feis! The Irish Dance Blog frequently all week as well.

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!

Big Apple Irish Dancing and Cultural Competition March 25 New York City

The Big Apple Feis and Fleadh hits New York City Sunday, March 25th!

The Big Apple Feis & Fleadh - New York City's only Irish dancing and culture competition - will take place next Sunday March 25th, 2012 at the Penn Plaza Pavilion right across the street from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden. This is a day-long event with competitive dancers and musicians from as far away as Australia.  Even President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, has sent a letter of congratulations to the organizers of the event.  In part, this letter commends Unateresa Gormley, TCRG who heads up the committee who has brought this festival to New York City the last few years.  President McAleese encourages everyone in the greater Metropolitan area to celebrate their Irish heritage as part of this fun and entertaining weekend.

Preliminary Champions under 8 at the 2011 Big Apple Feis
Photo Feis America LLC

In 2011, the Big Apple Feis and Fleadh 4th Annual event hosted more than 1,600 dancers and musicians.  Ladies in the 18 & Over competition actually graced the cover of Feis America Magazine!  

Competitors in the Senior Ladies' competition at the 2011 Big Apple Feis.
Photo by Shamrock Photo

The Committee wants to extend an Irish welcome to everyone to come and see this spectacular event with vendors, artists, writers and a whole gathering of Irish traditional culture. Doors open at 7:45 a.m. and ends around 5:30 p.m.

Hailey and Lily Johansson from the Petri School at the 2011 Big Apple Feis
Photo Feis America LLC

So come out enjoy the city and enjoy one more weekend of fabulous Irish culture! 

Kildare Irish Dancers Celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Long Island New York

Kildare Academy of Irish Dance students
 will perform at more than 30 shows and 3 parades in March.

photos and video courtesy Nicole Dimone TCRG

Kildare Academy of Irish Dance, with its primary studio in Bay Shore, New York, is owned by Nicole Dimone, TCRG.  A competitive Irish dancer since age six, Dimone received her teaching certification from An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha in Dublin in 2006.  Among the intense and fun instruction in Bay Shore and at two other locations on Long Island in Center Moriches and Southhampton, March is the time to share their knowledge and skill with others in a month-long celebration of Irish culture.

Kildare Academy of Irish Dancer students show off their Irish pride.

Kildare Academy dancers will perform more than 30 shows on Long Island this month for businesses and events, earning much needed funds to attend competitions; they also entertain at no charge for a lot of not-for-profit organizations including nursing homes. Kildare Irish dancers will march in the Bay Shore, Center Moriches and Hampton Bays parades as well to honor St. Patrick's Day.

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Dancers from Kildare Academy of Irish Dance with trophies and big smiles after a feis.

Kildare Academy Irish dancers competed at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Irish Dancing Championships for the first time in 2011. Five Kildare Academy dancers placed in the Top 5 for Traditional Set competitions and took other placements in Traditional Sets and 4-Hand Ceili Team events.

Click here for a short video on Kildare Academy of Irish Dance by Carrie Miller.

Check back here DAILY 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!

McDade-Cara Irish Dancers Celebrate 50 Years and March Madness with CBS3

McDade-Cara Irish dancers with Jim Donovan at the CBS3 studio in Philadelphia.
Photo: Maureen Lisowski

McDade-Cara School of Irish Dance in Pennsylvania will be celebrating its 50th anniversary all year long in 2012.  These extra special appearances on CBS3 and at the Wilmington, Delaware Irish Parade are just the beginning!

McDade-Cara March Madness!  Back: Brittany Scattergood, Sarah Hanley, Becky Clifford , Aine Sheehan, Megan Glanz;
 Front: Haley Brooks, Shannon Flynn, Tara Sheehan and Keara Gilligan.
Photo courtesy McDade-Cara Champion Irish Dancers

The late Maureen McDade McGrory TCRG experienced a wonderful childhood amid Irish dancing and music with the best Celtic performers in greater Philadelphia.  Her father, Jimmy McDade, was the leader of the All Ireland Orchestra and she studied Irish step dancing with the late Sean Lavery.  After Lavery's death, McGrory offered Irish dancing lessons in her home before founding the McDade School of Irish Dance in 1962.  Mrs. McGrory passed away in 1993 after battling cancer but her legacy lives on through the many Irish dancing teachers she nurtured over more than thirty years of teaching.  She was inducted into the North American Feis Commission's Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame in 2004.

McDonald's Shamrock Shakes are the reward after a long day of performances!
Photo courtesy McDade-Cara Champion Irish Dancers

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In April, 2009, the McDade and Cara schools merged their championship Irish dance programs and in April, 2010, TCRGs Tara McHugh-Boyce and Sheila McHugh joined McDade-Cara's team, bringing to seven the total number of certified Irish dancing instructors on staff.  Five additional teaching assistants ensure that boys and girls from grades through champion have fun and make the lifelong friendships so important to their instructors.

Tara Sheehan and Kylie Brogan
friends and fans for life from McDade-Cara.
Photo courtesty McDade-Cara Champion Irish Dancers.

McDade-Cara will host the 29th Annual Four Provinces Feis in loving memory of Maureen McDade McGrory TCRG and Kathleen Meehan on Sunday, April 29, 2012.

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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!  Coming next week:  Preview the 2012 World Irish Dancing Championships!

Texas State Irish Dancing Championship Results and Photos

Photos and Story by Caitlin Buck

 Feis America LLC Contributor

Double Reel Special Under 12 Awards: (L>R):

 Sophia Acuna, Ethan Long, Grace Gillock, Meredith Slimp, and Josie Shingleton.

The McTeggart Irish Dancers of North Texas hosted the 17th Texas State Championships and Feis March 2-3, 2012. This is the largest annual Irish dancing competition held in Texas, though it is relatively small compared with feiseanna in other parts of North America. A crowd of 365 registered Irish dancers hopped and whirled around the charming and cozily renovated lobby of the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Irving, Texas, conveniently located near the Dallas/Fort Worth airport.

Inishfree's Bailey Quigley celebrates her perfect score of 300 in Open Championships (U18)

 with friend Jayme Seward (2nd) and a smiling Kelcey Sartin (3rd) from the Maguire Academy.

At smaller Irish dancing competitions, it can be a challenge to find the requisite five in one's age group to validate the competition, especially if winning first place means a move up to Open Champion. Happily, this was not the case as every age group averaged 10 to 20 dancers making for good competition and great attendance for Texas. In additiion to the Irish dancing solo, figure and special competitions for all ages up to adult, there were music, spoken word and vocal events.

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Irish Dance Troupe Prodijig Wins

Mexico City Feis- PHOTOS
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 McTeggart Irish Dancers of North Texas brought in six certified adjudicators from An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha: ADCRGs Myra Brennan, Danny Golden, Gary Healy, Kathleen Clifford Lightley, Colette McAllister, and Mike Mullane. Two well-known feis musicians, Billy Furlong and Chris McLoughlin, played live reels, jigs, hornpipes and sets to accompany each competition. Three well-organized stages in back to back ballrooms kept the feis running right on schedule.

Some results are reported here - for full results visit FeisWorx:

Open Championship under 12:
1 - Grace Gillock - Inishfree Texas
2 - Ethan Long - McTeggart, Houston
3 - Colin Troy - Maguire

Open Championship under 14
1 - Hailey Barrell - Tir Conaill
2 - Sarah Troy - Maguire
3 - Hanna Cassiday - McTeggart Oklahoma

Open Championship under 16
1 - Libby Decker - Tir Conaill
2 - Lydia Wilkens-Reed - Inis Acla
3 - Bridget Kennedy - Inishfree Texas

Open Championship 18 & Over
1 - Jason Hays - McTeggart, North Texas
2 - Ashleigh Hopkins - Inishfree Texas
3 - Courtney Otis - Inishfree Texas
4 - Molly McDaniel - McCafferty Arizona
5 - Tania Martinez - Inishfree Texas
6 - Hollis Horton - Inishfree Texas
7 - Laura Cass - Cass Academy
8 - Rachel Bacsik - McTeggart, North Texas

Adult Special - Traditional Set
1 - Shelley Hawkins - O'Maoileidigh
2 - Megan Pumphrey - Inisfhree Texas

Inishfree Texas/Mexico dancers performing at the North Texas Irish Festival.

Though some dancers packed up their dresses and mussed wigs to head home, many families stayed on an additional night for the North Texas Irish Festival held in Fair Park on Sunday. Eight Irish dance schools preformed amidst Celtic bands, vendors and other entertainment making for a full weekend to kick off March Madness in Texas!



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!