Irish dancers show star quality on the world stage

THE recent World Irish Dance Championships once again saw a plethora of fantastic performances from our own talented dancers.

The competition, held in Schaumburg, Illinois, USA, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Centre, brings together top Irish dancers from across the globe and Scotland can boast a few of our own, after some phenomenal results.

Chief among those was Oscar Donnelly, who won his fifth World Championship title, coming out on top in the Under-15 Boys category.

“He’s the most unassuming boy, but now he’s a five times World Champion” teacher Sharon Taylor said. “He had a really bad fall in the reel, which might have thrown him a little, but his determination shone through. He displayed some fantastic dancing and he has a genuinely God-given talent that is rare. Keep being you, Oscar! We are all very proud of you, bringing the trophy home to Scotland once again.”

As well as Oscar’s success, there were other notable performances from the Sharon Taylor Academy (above). Two other World Championship Globes were secured by the Minor Mixed Four-Hand Ceili who finished second and Fraser Cross, who took fourth place in the Under-11 Boys competition.

There were also World Championship Medals for Lucy Brownlie (Under-14 Girls) and Cora Burns (Under-16 Girls) and World Championship Recall Medals for Sophie Gall (Under-11 Girls), Cara Rodgers (Under-13 Girls), Shannon Dyer (Under-13 Girls), Geogia Mitchell (Under-16 Girls), Kathleen Collins (Under-23 Ladies) and Matthew Hughes (Under-20 Men’s).

“It was a long, but fabulous week at the World Championships,” Sharon continued. “Huge congratulations must go to every one of our dancers who took to the stage. We had so many highs and with that always comes a few lows. You all danced out of your skin and we were so proud watching you all especially after all of the hard work. There were so many memories made. We are already back at it working hard for the next one.”

Our next success perhaps goes beyond the realms of fairytale and into a story fit for the big screen as Ethan Farrell (above), of the Doherty-Petri Irish Dance School, finally became a World Champion after having been a runner-up three times previously. What is remarkable about this achievement is not just the fact that he became the Under-17 Boys World Champion, but that he did it all with a broken foot!

"After winning the All-Irelands this year, the preparations were going well until an injury a week before put his participation in jeopardy," teacher Susan Harrison said. "With a lot of determination and bravery, Ethan decided to participate on a broken foot, hoping to just get through all three rounds and the outcome being something he had worked for since a wee boy.  We couldn’t be more proud of Ethan’s achievement and can’t wait for him to be healed and back to work."

There were similarly strong showings from the dancers at the McLaughlin School of Irish Dancing led by Zara Gibb (above) who took fourth place in the Under-13 Girls competition. There were World Championship Medals for Orla Maguire (Under-14 Girls), Anya Maguire (Under-20 Ladies) and Caoimhe Mosson (Under-21 Ladies), and a World Championship Recall Medal for Áine McGeehan (Under-14 Girls).

“We are so proud of all the girls that represented us at the World Championships,” teacher Sinead McLaughlin said. “We might be small in numbers, but we’re mighty for sure. We achieved five recalls and of these all five girls came home to Scotland as a World Medal Holder!

“The endless hours of hard work together and sharing this experience will stay with us for years to come. It’s another chapter in this journey we love.”

Another standout result from this year’s competition came from Andrew Nelson (above) of the Osborne Academy of Irish Dance, who also brought home a World Championship Globe with an excellent second-place finish in the Under-12 Boys category.

“Andrew’s achievement is one that we are all unbelievably proud of,” teacher Jodie Osborne said. “His dancing was beautiful and we were overwhelmed by the number of people who approached us to compliment his performance. Keep working hard, Andrew your dedication and talent continue to shine.

“We are so proud of our dancers who travelled across the world and stepped onto the world stage with pride. These kids are making the best memories with the best people, from beginners to World Championships and everything in between.

“Thank you also to the amazing parents and families who travelled with us—your support and company made the week even more special. Also, many thanks to the supporters at home, who stayed up very late to watch their teammates. It was very much appreciated.”

Rounding off the excellent performances from dancers from Scotland were Felicity Di Giacomo from the Boyle School of Irish Dance in the Under-11 Girls competition and Damien Fisher from the Sarah Frances Smith School of Irish Dancing in the Under-20 Men’s category.