Emerald Lakes takes on the world and wins

Zofia Bielicka from the Emerald Lakes Academy of Irish Dance and TTC Group made history when she was crowned six-time world champion at the WIDA World Irish Dance Championships in Belgium.

Zofia was one of 31 dancers from the Rochfortbridge based school who travelled to the impressive Palais Des Congres Arena Liege, and they brought home a record 15 World Globes in solo and team championships.

Kevin Lyster set up Emerald Lakes, a mainly voluntary group, in 2009, and they have won many prizes with a mix of Irish and theatrical dance, including in the prestigious World Show Dance Championship.

Kevin and team of Elaine Long, Marilyn Loran and Ciara Doyle ensured that Westmeath would be at peak performance for the WIDA championships. WIDA is the only Irish dance organisation to give every dancer an equal opportunity to perform at any age and the dancers were between seven years and 65 years of age.

They were: Alba Trigo Lyster, Leila Trigo Lyster, Bláithín Stenson, Zofia Bielicka, Diana Cornila, Diana Wakefield, Clodagh Wakefield, Eimear Wakefield, Brianna Fitzgerald, Katie Martin, Holly Martin, Ciara Doyle, Rachel Doyle, Robyn Dagg, Amy Dagg, Emma Pierce, Amelia Palmer, Cailín Sheridan, Aoife Quinn, Holly Walshe, Sophie Haugh, Kayleigh Strickland, Amy Devaney, Ella Long, Romy Sheahan, Molly Maher, Aishling Burke, Gwen Maguire, Martin Scully, Evelyn Page and Neabhae McDermott.

Over the four days, the preparation work at Emerald Lakes paid off and U19 dancer Zofia Bielicka and Bláithín Stenson took the top two spots, with Bláithín second and Zofia first and World Champion 2025, for the sixth time.

All four Emerald Lakes dancers recalled into the final round in the dramatic U17 World Championship competition, which is unprecedented, and outstanding performances from Alba Trigo Lyster, Diana Cornila, Romy Sheahan and Neabhae McDermott earned them world finalist status. Diana then claimed second place.

In the U14s Kayleigh Strickland powered through her performances and was called in the top three finalists, and took the third spot on the podium.

History

Leila Trigo Lyster, for the first time in her dance history, was a world finalist in the U15s, as was Amy Devaney. Brianna Fitzgerald made the worlds podium for the first time to take fifth thanks to a classy modern set.

Irish dance vlogger and dancer Katie Martin made the U20s podium with her heavy shoe dancing in fourth place, to delight of team Lakers and her Russian fan club from St Petersburg.

Student teacher and dancer Ciara Doyle took third spot for a flawless performance of Kilkenny Races; Emma Pierce took sixth place in the U30s; and Aishling Burke also took sixth in the U32s in her category.

Evelyn Page took seventh in a dramatic comeback after an injury setback this year, after a performance of courage and passion. Rachel Doyle pushed the reigning world champion from Belgium in taking second place. Diana Wakefield and Martina Scully took a number of solo and team titles. Holly Walshe, Aoife Quinn and Cailín Sheridan put in massive performances to win recalls, a record breaking moment for all three.

Amelia Palmer impressed in her championship and premiership with sixth Place in a competitive age group; Eimear Wakefield was second in the International Premiership, which was followed by an impressive championship. Ella Long and Sophie Haugh also made the podium in premierships, taking second and fifth with beautiful traditional Irish dance.

Bláithín Stenson, known for her skill in traditional style in trad set dancing pushed hard in her World Trad Set Championship took second place and made more history by winning two World Globes in Solo Dancing at World by the Social Media Dance Star and Beats Ambassador.

Sisters from The Downs, Robyn and Amy Dagg, dominated in their age groups. Amy won several dances and Robyn glided across the stage to take the International Premiership title in her age group, ahead of Amy in second.

Gwen Maguire won a number of solo tiles in the senior category and the International Premiership title against dancers from 11 different countries. Diana Wakefield danced to victory in the Hornpipe, as did Martina Scully in her Slip Jig.

Molly Maher took tops spot in Solo, Premiership and Team Dancing and her reel raised the competition to another level on the day. Clodagh Wakefield and Holly Martin were both outstanding in their team events taking Emerald Lakes to second place in the World Freestyle 16 Hand Figure Choreography (called St Brigid’s Cross) and second in the World Showdance (called Clann Lir).

World Show Dance Championship

The coveted World Show Dance Championship requires a teacher to write a storyline, create a dance and a music masterpiece to bring a costumed theatrical performance to the stage. Emerald Lakes are now five-time world champions and Kevin Lyster is renowned for his story lines and productions.

This year he brought Westmeath Mythology and history to the stage with a Show piece called Clann Lir – Children of Lir, and it elicited one of the most dramatic and powerful performances at a world championships. The stage was filled with dramatic moments including children of Lir, Swans and even birds flown by Holly Martin and Leila Trigo Lyster.

The 20-strong panel ensured a dramatic opening ensued to flying swans, spell binding moments in a battle with Emma Pierce as the wicked stepmother, and Aoife Quinn as Spirit of the Lake. The power of the performance took Emerald Lakes to second place in the biggest show dance competition in 10 years.

The team of Katie Martin, Ciara Doyle, Brianna Fitzgerald, Emma Pierce, Alba Trigo-Lyster, Leila Trigo Lyster, Diana Cornila, Holly Martin, Amy Devaney, Romy Sheahan, Clodagh Wakefield, Ella Long, Sophie Haugh, Eimear Wakefield, Amelia Palmer, Aoife Quinn, Cailín Sheridan, Holly Walshe, Kayleigh Strickland and Neabhea McDermott, brought energy and power to the performance.

There was another second in the Figure Choreography Freestyle category with a choreographed dance called St Brigid’s Cross. The U12 Ceili Team, U17 Ceili team and O30 Ceili Team all took fourth places against scores of teams from across the world. Two hand champions Alba Trigo Lyster and Romy Sheahan impressed with their moves and in the overall team championship of 23 dancers over 5 rounds claimed sixth place at the worlds 2025.