DROGHEDA DANCING SCHOOL IS IN FINE STEP

DROGHEDA and Ni Chearra O Baoláin (right) have shown their brilliance again bringing home 6 championship wins from the Irish National Championships held recently in City West Convention Centre. These dancers are taught by Peter and Brenda Boylan who opened the school’s doors over 30 years ago.

The dancing bug definitely runs in the family as both of their children, World Champion Caoimhe and All Ireland champion Daire later joined the teaching staff. The school has won numerous World, All Ireland and National titles throughout the years most recently in June when the Irish National Championships took place.

The majority of the dancers pictured were members of winning ceili teams with many having great success in solo Championships also. Aoife Bannigan and Ciaran Smith won both their respective solo championships which was a fantastic achievement for both dancers. Ciaran certainly is making a name for himself as he also became All Ireland and North American Champion this year.

Aoife can boast a fantastic dancing year herself, not only is she current Ulster champion but she brought home a coveted ‘Globe’ from the World Championships in Glasgow this year in a competition of over 100 dancers.

World champion team members from 2017 along with Caoimhe and Daire were recently recruited to feature in a new television programme featuring well known comedians Al Murray and Andrew Maxwell. The programme was aired on the History Channel on October 22nd and is all about the good-natured rivalry between Ireland and our English neighbours. “These type of projects are great for dancers who might not want to compete but just love to dance for fun and fitness. It’s the friendships you make that is the most important aspect of our class” says Caoimhe.