Mayo Irish dancers bring home cups from Scottish Open Championships


Crossmolina’s Sheila Moffatt School of Irish Dancing celebrates major wins in Glasgow.
A group of young dancers from the Sheila Moffatt School of Irish Dancing travelled from Mayo to Scotland to compete against top Irish dancers from across Britain and Ireland — and came home with major titles and unforgettable memories.
Among the standout achievements were two championship wins. Caoimhe McDonnell was crowned Ullmhúchán Under 9 Champion, while John Cosgrove claimed the Open Championship Under 17 title, earning the prestigious title of Scottish Open Champion in his age category.
The dancers described the trip as an incredible experience, filled with hard work, laughter and team spirit.
“What a weekend away in Glasgow for these eight amazing dancers — memories were made, laughs were shared and most of all we had fun,” the school said in a statement.
Also representing the school with pride were Zoe and Ailbhe Loughney, Isla Naughton, Annie Leonard and Abigail McDonnell, all of whom delivered strong performances on the international stage.
The Scottish Open Championships are regarded as one of the major events in the Irish dancing calendar, attracting high-calibre competitors each year.
Teachers and families praised the dedication and commitment shown by the dancers in the lead-up to the competition, with months of training paying off in Glasgow.