DANCE PARTY
Ruby Treacy Brien, Katie Montgomery, Mayah Kennedy and Ali Heffernan at the Dowling School of Dance reunion and celebration of their 2016 World Championship win.
MEMBERS of The Dowling School of Dance moved their way to the top when they were crowned world freestyle champions at the An Comhdhail World Irish Dancing Championships.
Bray dance teacher Claire Dowling and 40 of her Irish dancers made the journey to the competition in Killarney and their participation certainly paid off. Along with bringing home over 40 medals, the school picked up their second world title in the over 16 Freestyle category.
It was their entertaining dance drama that won the judges over on the day. The group of young dancers put a spin on popular television show Strictly Come Dancing, complete with four judges, two hosts, five dancers and some celebrities. Five members of the dance troop took on new personas as Bruno Mars, Niall Horan, Mrs Brown, Michael Buble and Beyonce and performed a medley of ballroom and Irish dancing with their fellow dancers.
The successful step forward coincided with another important event for Claire and members of The Dowling School of Dance – the school’s 25th anniversary. Claire established her dance school in the Bray and Enniskerry areas 25 years ago and to celebrate, the school held a world party and past pupil reunion in the Royal Hotel.
A large crowd came along to celebrate the school’s achievements, including many Leinster titles and two world titles.
Many of Claire’s ex-pupils have decided to follow in her footsteps and with the help of Claire, passed their Irish dancing teacher exams.