All Ireland Irish Dancing Championship Saturday girls - Results

Molly McAdam at North American Irish Dancing Championships 2011.
Photo Feis America LLC

On Saturday at the All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, 128 competitors were registered for the Girls 9-10 event including 20 North Americans.  This is the first time that these little dancers have been eligible to compete at the All Irelands, at the age of 9 turning 10 in 2012.  A roster of local and regional Irish dance champions and North American National Irish Dance Championship placers, these are the children whose competitive careers are already taking off.  An international journey and making new Irish dance friends from across the Atlantic Ocean is exciting, but these girls have also been working diligently to learn new steps and perfect technique and execution for this big event.

Registered dancers from North America for this competition were Bridget Abraldes from Mulvihill-Lynch, Caitlin Bradley-Tse from Nora Pickett, Madison Brower from Hagen, Bridget D'Amore from Tim O'Hare, Sara Doorly from Cummins, Maegan Fewell from Blakey, Emily Grace from Kelly-Oster, Emma Johnson from Hagen, Erin Karlok from Peter Smith, Simone Loysen from Culkin, Mairin McDonnell from Cummins, Emma-Jane McGeever from Butler-Fearon-O'Connor, Jadyn McInnis-Thorpe from Nora Pickett, Rachel Mintz from Ni Fhearraigh O'Ceallaigh, Clare Molony from Butler-Fearon-O'Conner, Grace Mullane-Godley from Mullane Healy Godley, Lisa Noonan from McTeggart, Maggie Rogan from Clarkson, Emma Smith from Trinity, and Kyleigh Tuma from Peter Smith.

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Read more:

Mid-Atlantic Regional Irish Dance Championships

All-Ireland Boys 9-10 Results
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Aeisha Coyle from Scoil Rince McConomy Bradley in the Ulster Region, Ireland is the new 2011 All-Ireland Irish Dancing Champion for Girls 9-10.  Molly McAdam from Kelly Hendry in the Northeast Region of England placed second.  McAdam is also the 2011 North American National Irish Dancing Champion for Girls under 9.

Adjudicators for Girls 9-10 were ADCRGs Des Bailey, Bill Maple, Pat Brady Mullins, Colleen Mulhern and Karen Petri.  

Pictured: Bridget Albrades, Mid-Atlantic Regional Irish Dancing Champion in 2011
and placed 3rd at the All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championships Girls 9-10 today.  Also pictured: Erin Karlok and Emma Johnson.
Photo courtesy Mulvihill-Lynch

The highest-placing North American in this event was Bridget Albrades, who proudly took third, the same spot she held at the 2011 North American National Irish Dancing Championship for Girls under 9.  The two-time Mid-Atlantic Regional Irish Dancing Champion from 2010 and 2011, Albrades gleamed as six of her friendly rivals from North America also placed.  Emma Smith placing 16th, Simone Loysen 23rd, Erin Karlok tying for 26th, Caitlin Bradley-Tse in 28th, Emma Johnson in 33rd and Emma Grace 35th.

For official results, live commentary and photos from All-Irelands, register with www.onthefeis.com, the official partner of An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha.

Bookmark this page and check back here on Irish Central's Irish dance page for timely updates and news from Dublin all week long!

All Ireland Irish Dancing Championships Saturday Boys 9-10 Results

 Pictured: Kyle Kohn, Connor Labo, and Collin Mountain

Boys under 8 Awards at Middle America Regional Irish Dancing Championships 2010  

Photography by Harrington

Twenty-two boys aged 9-10 were registered to compete at the All Ireland Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin Saturday. Among them were just five North American boys, all who have placed at both the 2010 and 2011 North American National Irish Dancing Championships.  Kyle Kohn from Mullane Healy Godley, Connor Labo from Flanagan O'Hare, Collin Mountain from Richen/Timms, Brant Rankin from Mattierin, and Liam Webber from Mulvihill-Lynch represented Middle America, Mid-Atlantic and Western Canada.

Sean Slemon from Rinceoiri na Riochta in the Munster region, Ireland is the 2012 All-Ireland Irish Dance Champion for Boys 9-10.  Jack Lynch, from Ui She in the Leinster region, Ireland took 2nd with Rian Collins from Doherty in the Midlands Region, England/Wales placing 3rd.

North America's top placement in this event was 2010 and 2011 North American National Champion Collin Mountain from Richens/Timm who placed 4th.  Three other North American boys also placed:  Brant Rankin from Mattierin was 7th, Liam Webber from Mulvihill-Lynch placed 8th and Connor Labo from Flanagan-O'Hare took 11th.  Webber, who has placed 2nd at both 2010 and 2011 North American Nationals, was the 2010 Mid-Atlantic Regional Irish Dancing Champion in Boys under 9.

Collin Mountain, North American National Irish Dancing Champion 2011
places 4th in first All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championship
photo courtesy www.dance.net and Photography by Harrington

Adjudicators for the Boys 9-10 competition were ADCRGs Des Bailey, Bill Maple, Colleen Mulhern, Pat Brady Mullins and Karen Petri.  
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Youngest Potential Competitors from North America
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Heavy round medals were awarded to Jack Lynch, Daniel Donnelly, Cian Cronin, Callum O'Neill, Austin Semple, Collin Mountain, Cathal Doughan, Thomas Comangelo, Joe Flanagan, Sean Slemon and Liam Webber. Light round medals were awarded to Jack Lynch, Daniel Donnelly, Cian Cronin, Ronan O'Connell, Callum O'Neill, Collin Mountain, Cathal Doughan, Rian Collins, Joe Flanagan, Sean Slemon and Liam Webber.

For official results, live commentary and photos from All-Irelands, register with www.onthefeis.com, the official partner of An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha.

Bookmark this page and check back here on Irish Central's Irish dance page for timely updates and news from Dublin all week long!

2012 All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championships Youngest Potential North American Competitors

Brant Rankin
2011 Boys under 9 Champion
Western Canada
photo Cheryl Galdert Photography

One of the most exciting events during the All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championships each year is the competition for the youngest dancers.  These Irish dancers, primarily from Ireland, North America and the United Kingdom, are boys and girls who are just nine or ten years old, or will turn ten during 2012.  While not yet old enough to qualify for the World Irish Dancing Championships, many of these little ones have been dancing for years at local and regional competitions.

Caitlin Bradley-Tse
2011 Girls under 9 Champion
Western Canada
photo Cheryl Galdert Photography

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Read more:

Schedule of Competitions for those watching from the sidelines


North American males hope to defend All-Ireland titles in 2012


Adam Sandler shows thanks to Irish schoolchildren
----------------------The North American Irish Dancing Championships, held in July each year, allow for teacher's discretion in registering the youngest dancers in its Under 8 category.  Dancers as young as six years old have started their competitive record at the top of the podium!  Local Irish dancing competitions, called feiseanna, often allow for First Feis or Pre-Beginners at any age.

First Feisers at Dunleavy-Shaffers's New England Autumn Feis 2011
photo Feis America LLC

Except for their teachers, families and a handful of An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha (CLRG) committee members and staff, it is anyone's guess as to which little regional champions will travel - especially from North America - to Ireland for the first major international Irish dancing competition of the year.  

The expense, the time out of school, and the pressure to practice and perform well are good reasons for parents and teachers to keep the little dancers at home this round.  It is easier said than done, however, when a family is making the journey for an older sibling anyways.  In fact, it's likely the youngest has been along for an international competition before he or she was even old enough to qualify.

Simone Loysen
2011 Girls under 9 Champion
Southern Region United States
Photo: Shamrock Photo

Ronan Burke
2011  Boys under 9 Champion
Mid-Atlantic United States
Photo: Shamrock Photo

This year, the Girls under 9 and Boys under 9 competitions will be held on separate stages on Saturday, February 11, 2012, starting at 10:00 am (Irish time).  Both groups begin with the heavy jig and then change into soft shoes to dance the reel.  Approximately fifty percent of all who danced will dance a recall round.

This third round is danced in heavy shoes and for this age group, a traditional set dance is required.  Each dancer will perform St. Patrick's Day, The Blackbird, Job of Journeywork, Garden of Daisies, King of the Fairies, Jockey to the Fair or Three Sea Captains alone on stage for the adjudicators.  Once results are tabulated, all recalled dancers will be presented with awards at a special ceremony that evening with the other competitions for that day.

Eric Crone
2011 Boys under 9 Champion
Western United States
Photo courtesy Tir Conaill

The following 2011 North American Regional Champions under 9 are now of age to compete in the 9-10 category at the All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championships in 2012: 

Southern Region:  Simone Loysen from Culkin and Jude Flurry from Muggivan

Eastern Canada Region: Jaylene Kehoe from McGinley and Connor O'Brien from Goggin-Carroll

Middle America Region: Emma Smith from Trinity and Collin Mountain from Richens/Timm

Mid-Atlantic Region: Bridget Albraldes from Mulvihill-Lynch and Ronan Burke from Shea Jennings 

New England Region:  Jillian Collins from Gilleoghan and Jacob Parkman from Harney 

Western Canada Region: Caitlin Bradley-Tse from Nora Pickett and Brant Rankin from Mattierin

Western U.S. Region:  Katja Behrens from Celtic Steps and Eric Crone from Tir Conaill

(Note: this is not a list of who is scheduled to compete)

Jude Flurry
2011 Boys under 9 Champion
Southern United States
Photo: Shamrock Photo

Safe travels and good luck to all the newest competitors!

Bookmark this page and check back here on Irish Central's Irish dance page for timely updates and news from Dublin starting Saturday, February 11th!

All Ireland Irish Dancing Championships - 2011’s North American Male Champions - PHOTOS

The podium awaitsTop Five All-Ireland Irish dancers in Dublin, Ireland next week.
Photo courtesy Feis America LLC

Three North American males hold 2011 All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championship titles. Nathan Dale, Jason Hays and Drew Lovejoy are formidable opponents, but they each know that the competition is strong and that friendly rivals have their eye on the top spot on the podium.  Here is a little bit about each of the last year's North American All-Ireland Champions:

 Nathan Dale dances with Mullane Healy Godley in Illinois and is the 2011 All-Ireland Dancing Champion for Boys under 14.  In an interview with MySuburbanLife.com, Dale said about his winning, “At first we weren’t sure if I won, but as soon as I did, we were all really happy and my mom was crying and everyone from dance school was coming over. 

When I was at the top of the podium, it was just the greatest feeling.”  Due to an adjudicator conflict, Dale was not able to compete at the 2011 World Irish Dancing Championships.

Peter Dziak from Trinity Irish Dance, who took second place at the 2011 All-Irelands, clinched the World championship and went on to win the North American National Irish Dancing title in July while Dale took second place.  Dale and Dziak have a friendly rivalry and are both from the Middle America Region.

Peter Dziak, Trinity Irish Dance (Illinois/Wisconsin)
Photo courtesy Trinity Irish Dance

Jason Hays dances with McTeggart in Texas, and is the 2011 All-Ireland Dancing Champion for Men under 20.  Hays also holds the 2006 World Irish Dancing Championship for Boys under 15.  Hays also holds the most current, consecutive North American record for regional Irish dancing championships with twelve wins starting in 2000 when he won the Southern Regional Irish Dancing Championship for Boys under 9.  He took second place at the North American National Irish Dancing Championships in 2011 and fourth place at the 2011 World Irish Dancing Championships.  Hays founded Jason Hays Designs in 2006 after his doodling of Irish dance dresses resulted in professional designs and stunning costumes.  This fall, he will major in sports psychology as a transfer to Texas Christian University.

Jason Hays, McTeggart Irish Dancers (Texas)
Photo courtesy Hays Family

Drew Lovejoy, an Open Champion dancer with McGing in Ohio, won the 2011 All-Ireland Dancing Championship for Boys under 16, making it his second consecutive All-Ireland title.  He went on to place second at the 2011 Worlds, and was the 2011 North American National Irish Dancing Champion.  Lovejoy also had a stellar year in 2010: after All-Irelands, he topped the podium at both the World and the North American National Irish Dancing Championships.  The first bi-racial and Jewish World Irish Dancing Champion, Lovejoy serves as inspiration to his dance classmates and children around the world.   The Ohio State Senate issued a proclamation lauding Lovejoy’s 2010 World Championship, stating, “Dance is an integral component of our culture and heritage, helping people communicate across cultural and social barriers, as well as uniting performers and viewers alike in a meaningful shared experience. Through Drew Lovejoy's persevering efforts, the richness and beauty of this exceptional art form will continue to be enjoyed by countless individuals of all ages and backgrounds.”

Drew Lovejoy, McGing Irish Dance (Ohio)
Photo courtesy Andee Goldberg

Best wishes to all the North Americans heading to Dublin for a safe journey and wonderful memories with your friends from across the ocean!
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Read more: 

Top Five North American Females at 2011 All-Irelands

  

Photos from 2011 All-Irelands 

Southern Region U.S. Championships Top 3 Results

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Stay tuned here on Irish Central for more 2011 All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championship recaps, highlights and all the news and photos as the 2012 event unfolds next week!

Top three Irish dancing competition girls results from O'Rourke School Feis

O'Rourke Irish Dance hosts 2nd annual Irish dancing competition
in Purchase, New York Saturday.

The second O'Rourke School Feis was held Saturday February 4th at State University of New York's Purchase Campus.  Competitive Irish dancers, teachers and families from the tri-state area and perimeter traveled to Westchester County to meet up with friends and for many, to test out 2012 Irish dance steps on a new stage.  Champion-level dancers showed up in droves looking for constructive criticism by adjudicators before heading to Dublin next week for the All Ireland Irish Dancing Championships.

Top Three results for girls and ladies in Open Championships are shown here with our thanks to Lu-Ann O'Rourke-Boyd, TCRG and Feis411. Full results will be available on FeisWeb soon.

McKayla Boyd wins with perfect 300 score!
Photo courtesy LuAnn O'Rourke-Boyd

Open Girls under 9
1 - McKayla Boyd from O'Rourke (NY) with perfect 300!
2 - C. Sulger from Pender-Keady (NY)
3 - M. Webber from Mulvihill-Lynch (NY)

Open Girls under 10
1 - Bridget Albrades from Mulvihill-Lynch (NY)
2 - E. Grace from Kelly-Oster (NY)
3 - A. McIntyre from Johnston (NY)

Sierra Donovan from O'Rourke wins Open Girls under 11
photo courtesy Lu-Ann O'Rourke-Boyd TCRG

Open Girls under 11
1 - Sierra Donovan from O'Rourke (NY)
2 - N. Ahern from Gilleoghan (CT)
3 - A. Guidarelli from Hagen (NY)

Open Girls under 12
1 - Kerry Thornton from Mulvihill-Lynch (NY)
2 - K. Betz from Ryan-Kilcoyne (PA)
3 - B. Mosher from Petri (NY)

Open Girls under 13
1 - Caroline Murphy from Lynn (CT)
2 - C. Murray Macritchie from Murray (NH)
3 - K. Curtis from Johnston (NY)

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Eastern Canada Regional Irish Dancing Championships

20 Questions for a Boy Irish Dancer
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Open Girls under 14

1 - Kate Babcock from Harney (MA)
2 - A. C. Sheehan from
3 - Nicole Greco from Gilleoghan (CT)


Open Girls under 15
1 - Anna Sulger from Pender-Keady (CT)
2- C. Ahern from Gilleoghan (CT)
3- E. Henricks from Murray (NH)

Open Girls under 16
1 - Ann Paige Turilli from Inishfree (NY)
2 - M. DiChiara from Inishfree (NY)
3 - J. Vent from O'Grady-Quinlan (PA)

Open Girls under 17
1 - Erin Lynch from Rince na Tiarna (NY)
2 - H. Parry from Pender-Keady (CT)
3 - G. Kiley from Lenihan (CT)

Hali Thorne wins Girls under 18 at O'Rourke School Feis
photo Feis America LLC

Open Girls under 18
1 - Hali Thorne from Gilleoghan (CT)
2 - K. Cassidy from DeNogla (NJ)
3 - K. Kaneko from Peter Smith (NY)

Open Ladies under 19 and Over
1- Lisa Murphy from O'Malley (NY)
2 - T. Zehnder from Broesler (MD/NJ)
3 - T. Strazdas from Peter Smith (NY)

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.

First-time regional Irish dance champions - PHOTOS

2011 New England Regional Irish Dancing Champion
Girls under 9 Jillian Collins (pink) hugs Brigitte Reid.
Photo by Dana Sulger

There may be nothing so exciting than watching a brand new regional Irish dancing champion realize that he or she is the last one standing during awards.  Those emotional moments before the dancer receives the championship sash and climbs to the coveted top spot on the podium are priceless!  Captured by professional event photographers and hundreds of amateurs clicking away, the images serve to remind us of the joy that comes with hard work and the love of Irish dance.
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Read more:
More Irish dance news on IrishCentral

Western Canada Regional Irish Dancing Championship Parade of Champions VIDEO

Top 5 Southern Region Irish Dancing Championship Results
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Ellie King, Girls under 11
2011 Southern Regional Irish Dancing Champion.
Photo: Shamrock Photo

Charlotte Sulger, Girls under 9
2011 New England Regional Irish Dancing Champion.
Photo: Dana Sulger.

For all regional championships in North America, the Top Ten are usually introduced at the beginning of each group's awards.  Ten competitor numbers are called on-stage, and the excitement mounts to know how the ten placements will fall.  Then, the Top Ten move to the back or side of the stage while awards are presented to the top 50% of the dancers in each competition, in reverse order.  As the placements get closer to the top performers, those who have qualified for the North American National Irish Dancing Championships are called out as well.  Finally, the Top Ten return to the front of the stage.  Heads are bowed, and a view from behind would often show rivals holding hands while waiting results. 

Hattie Rose Hare, Girls under 10
2011 Southern Regional Irish Dancing Champion.
Photo: Shamrock Photo

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Read more:
More Irish dance news on IrishCentral

Western Canada Regional Irish Dancing Championship Parade of Champions VIDEO

Top 5 Southern Region Irish Dancing Championship Results
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For all but the youngest age groups, these dancers have also qualified for the World Irish Dancing Championships.  The emcee calls out, "In Tenth Place..." and the competitor number, full name and dance school are announced to great applause.  One by one, the placements are taken until the Top Five are left.

Alexis Farnsworth, Girls under 11
2011 Western United States Regional Irish Dancing Champion.
Photo courtesy Acadamh Rince.

Eric Crone, Boys under 9
2011 Western United States Regional Irish Dancing Champion.
Photo courtesy Tir Conaill (Arizona).

Sisters Deirdre and Maeve Smith, Girls under 12 and under 8
2011 Western United States Regional Irish Dancing Champions.
Photo courtesy Olivia Griffin.

There are usually great embraces and stoic handshakes among the finalists between announcements and the group left standing grows closer together and smaller still, some dearest friends and dance classmates. Occasionally a finalist is seen checking his or her competitor number to make sure it wasn't yet called... and then, there is the moment when the Second Place winner is announced and the crowd goes wild as the new or defending regional champion is announced.  The dancer's teachers approach the podium and it is remarkable in all the excitement that they make a point of shaking the hands of the other top dancers before moving to the center to congratulate their champion.

Martin Bradshaw, Boys under 15
2011 New England Regional Irish Dancing Champion.
Photo: Photography by Harrington

It's a Tie! Boys under 8 Co-Champions Peter Mildrew and Davin Poe
2011 Southern Regional Irish Dancing Champs.
Photo: Shamrock Photo

These celebratory moments are the impetus behind some of our favorite photographers' best work.  Special thanks to official event photographers Tom Gregory of Shamrock Photo and Scott Harrington for sharing their images with us.  Visit their sites to purchase and enjoy!