Emerald Lakes dancers return to the midlands as world champions

The popular Emerald Lakes Academy of Irish Dance of Rochfortbridge, Mullingar and Rathangan return to the midlands as world champions this week after a highly successful few days at the World Irish Dance Championships at the Emmi Arena in Moers, Germany.

Founder and principal teacher Kevin Lyster with fellow teacher Philip Hynes said that the continued success of the school as "outstanding on many fronts".

"The effort, commitment and more importantly passion and love of Irish dance is what brings our dancers to where they want to be and we as teachers bring our dancers on that journey in a most positive way ensuring healthy competition in solo and team dancing. Emerald Lakes is unlike many dance schools where its members take part in sell out theatrical Irish dance productions, Feis competition, filming and performance," they said.

The four day event has been the First WIDA International & World Irish Dance Championships since Eindhoven 2019. The return of the huge world event seen dancers from over 20 countries compete , including a large number of Irish dancers from Ukraine, who received a rapturous welcome at the Enni Arena outside Dusseldorf.

Emerald Lakes Academy roll of honour

Mullingar's Zofia Bielicka is the new U16 World Champion, while Rachel Doyle is new U40 World Champion. Blaithin Stenson, who is a member of the Rochfortbridge branch of the school, finished second in the U16 competition, while Evelyn Page was third in the world in the U45 section. Other notable performances included: Rochfortbridges's Emma Pierce, 7th in the U25 competition; Brianna Fitzgerald, 10th in U13; Martina Scully was the Senior International Grade Champion; Aisling Scully, international runner-up; Anita O'Brien - international runner-up, Mary Jones - 4th in the International Premiership, and Louise Pierce, international runner-up.