| All-Ireland Championships
 Some
Irish dance historians would insist that the All-Ireland Championships
are over a century old. Although it is true that the Cork feis had featured
an All-Ireland challenge belt since 1895 the championships in their current
form under the rules of An Coimisiun were not established until 1932.
This year, therefore, marked the 75th anniversary of those championships.
From 1932 up to the 1970s the championships were held in the Mansion House
in Dublin apart from two occasions when they were held in Athlone and
Belfast. After the establishment of the World Championships which went
on to become extremely successful the All-Ireland’s popularity went
into decline.
In the early 1980s in an attempt to revitalise this major event it was
decided to alternate the venue between Dublin and other locations in Ireland.
Since then the championships have gone on to regain their original popularity
and perceived importance as a major dance event arguably second only to
the World Championships.
The All-Ireland now attracts dancers not only from all over Ireland but
also from Britain, USA, Canada, Australia and more recently from mainland
Europe.
Killarney is one of those locations that has played host to the All-Ireland
in the past and it is fitting that this magnificent picturesque location
had been chosen to host the championships in the 75th year of being established.
And what a huge success they have once again become possibly surpassing
its successes of previous years both in terms of dance standards and the
feel-good factor that surrounds any enjoyable spectacle in the performing
arts.
It’s difficult to see how they can get better or indeed how the
location could be upstaged. I for one am delighted that An Coimisiun has
stuck to the winning location formula and has chosen Killarney to again
host the championships in 2008.
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