Southbury Dancers Medal At National Championships

The North American Irish Dance Championships is one of the most prestigious events in the world for Irish dancers. This year it was held in Orlando, Florida over the first week of July. While titled the "nationals," it is open to top competitors who have qualified for the event in not only North America, but also Ireland, England, Scotland and around the world. 

The event is comprised of solo and team competitions divided by age groups with many categories having nearly 200 competitors. Southbury local, Katie Sheehan, competed in the Girls U14 division where she received a "recall" meaning she was amongst the top of the competition and came home with a medal along with Danbury native, Olivia Ruggiero, who medaled in the Girls U17 division and Cian Walls, of Woodbridge, who medaled in the Boys U12 division and gained a qualifying spot for the World Championships in 2019. 

These dancers who have reached the highest level of competitive Irish dance called "open championship," proudly represented the Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance and the New England region. They now prepare for the region's most prestigious competition, known to dancers as the "Oireachtas" which takes place in Hartford this November and where dancers aim to qualify for the nationals and world championships.

The Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance is now enrolling beginner summer camps and classes for their 2018-2019 season. Class locations include Newtown and Danbury, CT. All classes are instructed by certified teachers and former leads of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. For more information, please visit: http://www.ashurstirishdance.com or call (203) 928-0689.