Local Dancers Head To Dublin

This year marks the 50th World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, where dancers from all over the world will compete. Local dance school, Scoil Ard Rince, will be there too, with two teams and eight solo dancers.

Breeda Peirce, principal teacher at Scoil Ard Rince, said competing was the ultimate test for Irish dancers and the toughest competition worldwide of any Irish dance organisation.

To qualify and compete for Queensland and Australia is always the ultimate goal for Irish dancers,� Breeda said.

Scoil Ard Rince commenced classes on the Redcliffe Peninsula in 1991. Now in its 30th year, it's one of Australia's and Queensland's most successful Irish dance schools, providing Irish dance classes at all levels from preschool to open championship level. Many dancers from the school have gone on to tour with the major dance shows of Riverdance, Celtic Fyre, and Rhythms of Ireland, both here in Australia and overseas.

Fundraising has begun to help students who have qualified for the world championships make it to Dublin. Fundraising efforts so far have included a trivia night on 15 February, where everyone got a team together to enjoy a fun night out while helping to support the Scoil Ard Rince dancers.

Corporate donations and sponsorship are also welcome. We have a fundraising package, which allows businesses to help us financially or they can donate raffle prizes to our fundraising trivia night. We are open to all sponsorship and are very happy to provide dance displays in return for sponsorship from any business,� Breeda said.

The world championships will take place in early April and, for those who are interested, competition progress and results of the local dancers will be available on the Scoil Ard Rince Facebook page.

Breeda said the benefits of Irish dance extended beyond competition entry and people of all ages and abilities were welcome to give it a try.

Dancers develop strong friendships and senior dancers become positive mentors for the younger ones," she said. "The overall Irish dance community is a very inclusive and supportive one."

Visit www.brisbaneirishdancing.co... or go to the Scoil Ard Rince Facebook page for more information.