The jig is up: Irish dancers descend on Glasgow to contest the 48th annual world championships

Competitors gather backstage as they prepare to take part in the World Irish Dancing Championships yesterday in Glasgow. The championships are taking place this week at the Royal Concert Hall, with more than 14,500 dancers and supporters expected to travel to the event. The showcase has run for 48 years. Considered the ‘Olympics’ of Irish dance, the prestigious nine-day event will see elite dancers from eve- ry corner of the globe battle it out to become “Champions of the World”. In 2002, Glasgow became the first city to stage the World Irish Dancing Championships outside Ireland.