By Jonathan Magee
TWENTY-FIVE dancers from Alison Quigley Irish Dance, representing Letterkenny and Falcarragh, made Donegal proud last week as they took to the stage at the CRDM (Cumman Rince Dea Mheasa) Irish Dancing World Championships in Dublin.
Competing against the very best Irish dancers from across the globe, the Donegal contingent returned home with an outstanding haul that included four top five podium World Globes, seven top ten globe finishes, five top twenty finishes, and a host of world medals and personal bests — a result that underlines the remarkable strength of Irish dancing in the county.
Teachers – sisters Alison and Colleen Quigley and assistant teacher Katiemarie Langan were so proud of all their dancers and said:
“A lot of time, effort and hard work resulted in super results, and a huge thanks to the dancers and their families!”
“ While we enjoy preparing dancers for competition, we also have pupils who dance just for fun.
“They enjoy coming to class for exercise and meeting their friends each week, which is also very important!”
The championships spanned both solo and team competitions, with competition from around the world and local talent rising to meet the challenge at every turn.
Jack Gordon pictured with his 4th place Globe.
The crowning moment of the weekend came when the Senior Four Hand Ceilí team were crowned World Champions.
Hayley Smyth (Downings), Louise McGlynn (Letterkenny), Aoibheann Lynch (Milford) and Gemma Gallagher (Churchill) delivered a stunning performance and were crowned World Champions.
All four have been pupils of Alison Quigley Irish Dance and the Quigley School of Irish Dancing from a young age, making the victory all the more emotional and meaningful for everyone connected with the school.
Further podium success came from Aoibhinn Lynch, who claimed second place in the Age 19 Ladies Championship, narrowly missing out on first place. Jack Gordon from Letterkenny also impressed, coming fourth in the Age 12–15 Boys Category at just 13 years of age.
The 16-Hand Figure Ceilí team, drawing dancers from Letterkenny, Falcarragh, Ballybofey, Downings, Carrigans and Churchill, rounded off a memorable weekend by claiming fifth place in a highly competitive ‘New Invention’ competition.
New Invention Ceilí Team.
Special thanks were extended to Paul Harrigan of Ceol na Coille, who created a beautiful musical accompaniment for the performance.
It was the first time the team had ever competed in this category, making the achievement of bringing home a Globe all the more special.
It was a weekend that the dancers, their families and everyone at Alison Quigley Irish Dance will not forget in a hurry — one to celebrate across Donegal.
Weekly classes take place in Pinehill Studios, Letterkenny and Arás Begley, Falcarragh.
Aoibheann Lynch – Runner up in the Age 19 Ladies.
Jack and little sister Aelinn.