Kildare Irish dancers succeed in international competition

A number of Monasterevin-based Irish dancers participated successfully against international competition in  County Kerry.

Members of Monasterevin’s  Morrissey School of Irish Dancing, took to the world stage in the INEC Killarney for the World and International Championships.

A total of 14 dancers of all ages and grades - as young as five years - took part, some of them for the first time ever.

 Dancers came from all corners of the globe, including Australia, USA, Hong Kong, Germany, UK, Northern Ireland, Holland, Ukraine, Isle of Man, Scotland, Spain, England, Hungary, Russia, Switzerland and Belgium  to contest a number of  titles.

But before that they prepared diligently in the Morrissey dance studio in Monasterevin.  “The hours put in, not only in class but outside practices is something to be admired.   The commitment from both dancers and parents was phenomenal.

We were so proud of each and every dancer both on and off the stage. They all showed the adjudicators and themselves just how amazing they are,” said school representative Mary Morrissey.

They came away with solo competitions and there were premiership  and open championship winners as well as  podium positions in all ages and grades. A number moved up through grades.

Rosie Kennedy was the under10 international open champion for the second year running, having started out at just 3 years old.  

13 year old Eabha Ryan who competed at the open level for the first time at the event took home two solo first places and Eirann Rowley (15) not only got her recall but placed a fantastic 5th overall in her open championship  Gemma Hurley (under 35) danced fabulously in her first ever international performance, having come to Killarney as international beginner champion.

Orlaith Cullen (under 25  international beginner champion) and  Corinna Furlong (under 40 international primary champion). 

“Both hadn’t danced in years and showed they never lost the beautiful talent they both have,” said Mary.

Laura Lanigan (under 15 international primary champion and Fausta Janciauskaite (under 14 international intermediate champion)travel a long distance every week to practice. The  school holds classes for boys and girls in Monasterevin from the age of three and adult classes are for those who wish to keep fit, or compete or simply join in for the fun.

They take part in many local performances, and they’re now looking forward to performing at the Gaiety Theatre at the Riverdancethon helping to raise much needed funds for Ireland's National Autism Charity.

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