CELTIC Park was the stage recently for the annual Feis Rútai Thír Chonaill Irish dancing competition, which saw more than 700 dancers and thousands of spectators travel to the iconic venue.
The competition is run by well-known Glasgow Irish dance schools the Boyle School of Irish Dance and the McQuade School of Irish Dancing and it was the first time that Celtic Park had played host to such an event. The competition was relocated from Hampden where it has staged for the past few years due to the facility currently being in use. The event will return to Hampden in 2025.
“We were delighted to host our annual competition at Celtic Football Club and we expected—and had—a busy weekend due to the location and prestige of running our competition here,” Donna Marie Boyle, from the Boyle School of Irish Dancing said. “We were delighted to give all the dancers and their supporters the magnificent backdrop of Celtic Park as a new venue, and I believe this is the first time that an Irish dancing competition has been hosted here.
“We enjoyed a weekend of wonderful dancing for our community of dance. So, a massive thank you to all of you who supported us. We really appreciate each and every dancer, teacher, family member and friend who joined us over the weekend.”
One school who was fulsome in its praise of the event and who enjoyed every moment of it was the McLaughlin School of Irish Dancing. At the conclusion of the event, they were able to boast of four new champions: Zara Gibb (Under-11); Orla Maguire (Under-12); Lucy Boyle (Under-16 Prelim); and Caoimhe Mosson (Senior). There were also three runners-up, lots of podium places and personal bests achieved too.
“It was certainly a popular venue and we noticed a few more feis dads and siblings than usual!” teacher Sinead McLaughlin said. “But seriously, huge congratulations to all of our girls who competed over the weekend We are very proud of each and every one of them! Special mention also to our little ones competing for the first time and our future stars. Congratulations to our champions too. Keep up the hard work everyone. A great start to the feis season.”
The Caroline Greene School of Irish Dance was another school who enjoyed participating in the fourth annual Feis Rútai Thír Chonaill and had many successes to celebrate too.
“It was an amazing weekend for the children in the class that danced at Féis Rútai Thír Chonaill with great memories to cherish,” teacher Caroline Greene said. “Big congratulations to Ebony Nasim on winning the U16 Championships, wearing her stunning new Conor O'Sullivan Designs costume—thank you we love it—and Tara Larkin U10 on winning her first Prelim Championships.
“Special mention to our eight rising stars—Leanna, Esme, Ruby, Erin, Penelope, Orlagh, Sian and Nuala—who all danced fantastic and we can’t wait for the next feis.
“We are so proud of all our dancers who competed. Keep up the hard work as hard work definitely pays off
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