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 from November 17-19, 2017.
The "Oireachtas," as it's referred to, is a qualifying event for the 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 championships also hosts traditional set dance championships, adult dance competitions & team events.
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 day of events, the Academy gained its first world qualifier, Cian Walls, age 11 of Woodbridge, as well it's first championship title, Cian's younger sister Charlotte Walls in the U8 Traditional Set championship category. Cian will represent “Team Ashurst” at the World Irish Dancing Championships held in Glasgow, Scotland next March.
More champions were crowned throughout the weekend including Southbury resident Genevieve Mallon, who won the Under 14 Traditional Set competition, Newtown resident Deirdre Smith, who won the Under 11 Traditional Set Dance category, Colleen Mallon of Southbury, who qualified for the North American Irish Dance Championships in the U11 Solo category, Justin Ciardello of Trumbull, who won the Under 15 Traditional Set category, Olivia Ruggiero of Danbury who qualified for the North American Irish Dance Championships in the U16 category and Sophia Mahoney of Southbury, who placed top ten in the Girls U11 Traditional Set competition. The Ashurst Irish Dancers also brought home 13 top ten placements in solo, tradition and team dancing events.
For more information, please visit www.ashurstirishdance.com or contact them at ashurstirishdance@gmail.com or 203-928-0689.