| All Ireland Championships
Set against the scenically magnificent backdrop of the Killarney National
Park, the Gleneagle Hotel with its vast Irish National Events Centre (INEC)
auditorium was once again the splendid setting for the All Ireland Irish
Dancing Championships. And it was to the INEC that most of the world’s
reigning champions flocked by rail, sea, road and air to compete in that
special international competitive atmosphere that only the All Ireland
can generate in the run-up to the April 2007 World Championships in Glasgow.
They travelled to Killarney from all over Ireland and many jetted in from
Britain, North America and other parts of the world.
I went to greet one of the champions arriving at Kerry Airport from Stansted
and was pleasantly surprised when her flight disgorged a full passenger-load
of dancers and teachers, mainly from the Midlands and southern regions
of England. It occurred to me that all those on board, except possibly
the cabin and air crew, knew each other by first name and would be competing
against each other for honours over the next nine days.
During those nine days of competition the atmosphere was charged with
expectation and an added frisson, if indeed one were needed, was the unexpected
visit by Michael Flatley with his wife Niamh. The main purpose of his
visit was to present a generous cheque to the Irish Dance Commission to
purchase new trophies for future champions. To the delight of the audience
Michael chatted and shook hands with many of his adoring young admirers.
From the stage he offered them encouragement and advice on their dancing
development and their career aspirations. Afterwards he and Niamh joined
the audience to watch about 200 dancers, in cohorts of three, going through
their paces in one of the young championship age-groups.
I came away from the championships feeling that this was undoubtedly the
most successful All Ireland that I had attended. A success that was due
largely to the Irish Dance Commission’s choice of location and venue.
Many of those attending but particularly those from the USA who were visiting
Killarney for the first time had arrived several days before the competitions
kicked-off in order to take in the fabled sights around its lakes and
mountains. And I have no doubt that they will take back with them fond
memories, both of the competitions and of the location, and will want
to return to Killarney for next year’s championships.
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