From Mullingar to Montreal

Four Irish dancers from Mullingar are travelling to Canada this Thursday to take part in the Irish Dancing World Championships - Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne 2023.

Éadaoin Ryan will be competing in the Under 11 competition; Eden McCague will be competing in the U12 section; while her sister Yves will be participating in the U14s along with Faye Clarke. The four girls are all members of the Mullingar Division of Carson Irish Dance Academy and are under the tuition of Fiona Gallagher (ADCRG).

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Fiona paid tribute to her young charges.

“These four girls show extreme dedication and discipline in their training and preparations for these forthcoming championships. They attend five dance classes per week between Mullingar and our sister school in Belfast.

“Their daily schedule is gruelling, starting at 6am before school combining stretching, cardio, dance and after school; they attend various fitness mentors, dance classes and recovery sessions. They are a credit to themselves , their families and to their peers,” she said.

“Our girls are currently preparing to compete with the best dancers from all over the world in their age groups, having secured their qualification place at their provincial qualifier last November , Oireachtas Rince Laighean , which was held in the Mullingar Park Hotel.

“We wish them every success as they aim to bring those much sought after world medals back to Mullingar.”

The championships will be held in the Palais des Congres in Montreal, Canada, which will host over 5,000 competitors from all over the world. Each dancer will compete in heat events throughout the week, with over 200 competitors in each age group dancing to obtain the coveted world medal.