CELEBRATION OF SUCCESS

A remarkably successful dancing year for the Scoil Rince Mona Ni Rodaigh was celebrated in glittering style recently at a black tie event in the Ramada Resort Dundalk.

In the 46 years since the school was founded by Mona Roddy, 2016 proved to be the most competitively successful for the dancers, who scooped multiple titles across regional, national and world Irish dancing competitions. It was fitting that the guest of honour at the ‘Reeling in the Year’ was the school’s world champion Alanna Murray.

Mona was joined on the night by her daughters, professional dancers and teachers at the Scoil Rince, Dearbhla and Ciara.

Dearbhla said: ‘Looking back on the 2016 season, it has been the most successful in our history and we wanted to mark that success with this celebration. In all, there were 16 titles won throughout the year, including seven titles from the Ulster Championships in Letterkenny, and with perfect scores.

‘I will admit that mum, Ciara and I, cried some tears of joy that day. We have worked hard to try to encourage the young people in their dancing. For instance, our ceili dancing team won four All Irelands, two national titles, three world globes in team competition and two in solo’.

The celebration of success also provided an opportunity for Mona to mark a ‘significant birthday’ and her students presented her with a piece of jewellery entitled ‘Worth your weight in gold’. Music on the evening was provided by Stewart Agnew and his band, Retro Sweet Club and, needless to say, there was no room on the dance floor all night!

Despite the fact that the Scoil Rince is ‘relatively small’, with 50 to 60 students, they have achieved huge success over the years. Indeed, many of the other Irish dancing schools established in Dundalk in recent years have been set up by former students of Mona’s and competition remains at the heart of Mona’s school.

The Scoil Rince Mona Ni Rodaigh welcomes new members each September and for more information, check out www.monanirodaigh.com or their Facebook page scoilrince mona ni rodaigh.

Karina (Left) and Michelle O’Malley with Brad Tully, Lindsay and Maeve Carolan at the Mona Roddy School of Dance “Reeling in the Year 2016” held in the Ramada Hotel. Photo: Ken Finegan

Mona Roddy-Lennon with her daughters Dearbhla and Ciara.

Carolyn and Kaithlynn Nordon with Josie and Caitlin Conophy.

Paraic, Dana and Cliona Sheridan at the Mona Roddy School of Dance “Reeling in the Year 2016”.

Clare, Eoghan and Olive Murphy at the Mona Roddy School of Dance “Reeling in the Year 2016’’.