The Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance recently brought home 4 titles and 13 top ten spots at the New England Regional Irish Dance Championships held in Hartford, CT over November 17-19, 2017.
The "Oireachtas," as it's referred to, is a qualifying event for top Irish dancers in the region aiming to qualify for both the World Irish Dance Championships and the North American Irish Dance Championships the following year. The event also hosts traditional set dance championships, adult dance competitions & team competitions.
This year the Oireachtas was held at the Hartford Marriott and Connecticut Convention Center and for the Ashurst Academy, the event was a huge success. On the opening days of events, the Academy gained its first world qualifier, Cian Walls, age 11 of Woodbridge, as well it's first championship titles with Newtown resident Deirdre Smith taking 1st in the U11 Traditional Set category and Cian's younger sister, Charlotte Walls, winning the U8 Traditional Set category. Cian will represent “Team Ashurst” at the World Irish Dance Championships held in Glasgow, Scotland next March as well as go on to compete at the North American Irish Dance Championships to be held in Orlando next July.
More champions were crowned throughout the weekend including Newtown resident Britta Petersen of Newtown, who took 3rd place in the U11 Traditional Set category, Genevieve Mallon of Southbury, who won the Under 14 Traditional Set category, Justin Ciardello of Trumbull, who won the Under 15 Traditional Set category and Colleen Mallon of Southbury and Olivia Ruggiero of Danbury who also qualified for the North American Irish Dance Championships in their respective age groups. The Ashurst Irish Dancers also brought home 13 top ten placements in solo, traditional and team dancing events.
or more information, please visit www.ashurstirishdance.com or contact them at ashurstirishdance@gmail.com or 203-928-0689.