School of dancing brings home to Mayo four world championship titles
North Mayo dancers shine at CRN World Open Championships in Dublin, securing four world crowns and a host of top placings across solo and team competitions
North Mayo’s Moffatt School of Irish Dancing is celebrating major success after securing four World Championship titles and a string of top placings at the CRN World Open Championships held in Dublin over the Bank Holiday weekend.
A total of 22 solo dancers and 45 team dancers represented the school at the prestigious competition, taking on some of the strongest Irish dancers from across Ireland and overseas.
The school enjoyed impressive results across both solo and team competitions, with nine solo dancers achieving Top 10 finishes and 19 dancers placing in their respective age categories.
Among the standout performers was John Cosgrove, who claimed the Gents’ Champion title in the Under-17 category.
Team dancing proved another major success story for the Ballina school, with Moffatt School crowned World Champions in the Senior Mixed Céilí 8-Hand, the Under-10 Unmixed Céilí 8-Hand and the Under-10 Foirne Invention category, where young dancers performed The Celtic Weavers of Connaught.
Three additional teams also achieved Top 3 finishes, while the school’s Under-13 teams performed strongly, placing 14th in the Céilí 8-Hand competition and sixth in the Foirne Invention section.
Speaking after the championships, Principal of Moffatt School of Dancing, Sheila Moffatt ADCRN, praised the commitment shown by dancers in preparing for the event.
“I am absolutely delighted with all of our dancers who competed at this year’s World Championships,” she said. “Great credit must go to the dedication, commitment and hard work these young dancers have shown in preparing for such a major event. Their achievements are a testament to their efforts and passion for dancing.”
Ms Moffatt also acknowledged the support of her coaching team, alongside parents, families and friends whose encouragement continues to play an important role in the school’s success.
A celebration event to honour the dancers’ achievements is currently being organised for Sunday, June 21, with further details expected to be announced shortly.