IDM blog..

At last... here it is... the most recent video update of me learning to Irish dancing with Olive Hurley. We have split it up into lots of shorter vids which I will upload over the coming weeks, as I had a mighty mighty six hour lesson.

Afterwards I could not walk and now think I have developed shin splints: every time I dance it kills my legs... I can't even walk up the stairs so I am having a few rest days. Still trying to run through the steps in my head though.
So check this out...and you should be able to comment on it on this blog now too! I know we are spoiling you! Just click on the comments section under the video and leave your thoughts! Enjoy!

A little while ago we gave IDM readers the chance to win a masterclass with Riverdance in Bristol. Here is the first instalment of the fun that was had! Part 2 and 3 to follow soon!
As Editor, I went along too and took part, ( I am the tall one in green). I have to say it was great fun but REALLY hard!

This is Seddon from the website trying to teach a famous UK musician from The Art Goblins the reel! It's SO funny!

Hey guys! just to let you know... I have another lesson coming up with Olive this week... I am very excited... hopefully will video it and get it up here soon! Also thanks so much for all the lovely comments you lot send me about my dancing...it is really keeping me motivated!

Ladies 21 & Over
1 Claire Irvine, Aaron Crosbie, London, England
2 Maggie Putman, Dennehy School, Chicago, Illinois
3 Paddy Jessing, Dwyer Whelan, Sydney, Australia
4 Megan Reilly, Peter Smith School, New Jersey, Usa
5 Kelly Nagan, Tony Comerford, Western Region, Usa
6 Lily Wilson, Mcginley Academy, Ontario, Canada
7 Laura Kennedy, Elaine Kavanagh, Dublin, Ireland
8 Charaina Kelly, Maguire O’shea, Essex, England
9 Erin Roberts, Davis Academy, New Jersey, Usa
10 Catherine Poulton, Ni Chearra O’baolain, Drogheda, Ireland

Ladies 19 & Under 21
1 Ashley Smith, Smith-Houlihan Academy, New England, Usa
2 Michelle Mckernon, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
3 Clare Nix, Dennehy School, Chicago, Illinois
4 Heather Hanson, Inishfree School, Mid-Atlantic, Usa
5 Catrina Morgan, Armstrong School, Belfast, Antrim
6 Emily Babyn, Ni Fhearraigh-O’ceallaigh, Newmarket & Ontario
7 Amy Webber, Claddagh, Utah, Usa
8 Ellen Bradley, Simpson Academy, Canberra, Australia
9 Ann-Marie Caden, Elaine Kavanagh, Dublin, Ireland
10 Colleen O’neill, Denogla School, New Jersey, Usa

Ladies Under 19
1 Deirdre Robinett, Mcging Irish Dancers, Cincinnati, Ohio
2 Emily Penner, Butler-Fearon-O’connor, California & Ontario
3 Isabel Yorke, Mcgahan Lees, Essex/Kent, England
4 Angie Oswald, Butler-Fearon-O’connor, California & Ontario
5 Janine Taggart, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
6 Bronagh Rogan, Penk-O’donnell School, Western Region, Canada
7 Teresa Hesener, O’grady-Quinlan Academy, Pennsylvania, Usa
8 Kaitlin Higgins, Pender-Keady Academy, Connecticut, Usa
9 Heather Adlam, Goggin-Carroll, Toronto, Ontario
10 Kyla Marsh, Goggin-Carroll, Toronto, Ontario

Ladies Under 18 A
1 Maggie Darlington, Claddagh, California, Usa
2 Caoimhe Ni Bhaolain, Ni Chearra O’baolain, Drogheda, Ireland
3 Meghan Lucey, Pender-Keady Academy, Connecticut, Usa
4 Alexis Hernandez, Mulvihill-Lynch School, New York, Usa
5 Jaclyn Rubbo, Mcteggart School, Houston, Texas
6 Sinead Cross, Trinity Academy, Illinois & Wisconsin
7 Jackie Piecuch, Woodgate, Buffalo, New York
8 Julia Webber , Claddagh, Utah, Usa
9 Jenna Piecuch, Woodgate, Buffalo, New York
10 Keelin Gavaghan, Trainor School, London, England

Ladies Under 18
1 Siobhan Forrest, Maguire O’shea, Essex, England
2 Devon Nishida, Claddagh, California, Usa
3 Casey Schools, Richens-Timm Academy, Mid-Usa, Usa
4 Catherine Kennedy, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
5 Christina Scibelli, Schade Academy, New York, Mid-Atlantic
6 Jennifer Richert, Lavin Cassidy, Mid West, Usa
7 Lauren Stewart, Goggin-Carroll, Toronto, Ontario
8 Sinead Guerin, O’sullivan School, New York & California
9 Kerri Smith, Denogla School, New Jersey, Usa
10 Yvonne Herber, Shamrock Academy, Ontario, Canada

Girls Under 17 A
1 Simona Mauriello, Maguire O’shea, Essex, England
2 Jillian Oury, Trinity Academy, Illinois & Wisconsin
3 Alanna Morsby, Mcging Irish Dancers, Cincinnati, Ohio
4 Sophie Easton, Devaney Academy, Lincoln, England
5 Erin Reilly, Ryan School, Pennsylvania, Usa
6 Julianne Costigan, Doyle Academy, Waterloo, Ontario
7 Natascha Trellinger, Mcteggart School, Colorado, Usa
8 Vicky Mcmullan, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
9 Clare Mcdermott, Scoil Rince Ard Rialla, Cavan, Ireland

Girls Under 17 B
1 Melanie Sanderson, Claddagh, California, Usa
2 Kirstie Morin, Aaron Crosbie, London, England
3 Emily Lupiano, Sue Fay Healy, Ottawa, Canada
4 Kim Kelly, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
5 Kim Shepherd, Pender-Keady Academy, Connecticut, Usa
6 Shannon Cunningham, O’shea-Chaplin Academy, Boston, Massachusetts
7 Collette Hesketh, Hannon-Murphy, Newcastle, England
8 Brittany O’reilly, Drumcliffe School, Mid-Atlantic, New York
9 Jenny Murray, King Academy, Merseyside, England
10 Alexandra Siega, Gray School, Connecticut, Usa

Girls Under 16 A
1 Lauren Early, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
2 Olivia Griffin, Butler-Fearon-O’connor, California & Ontario
3 Sarah Healy, Trainor School, London, England
4 Kerry Dinorcia, Schade Academy, New York, Mid-Atlantic
5 Laura Jabubowski, Inishfree School, Mid-Atlantic, Usa
6 Bridget Smith, Dennehy School, Chicago, Illinois
7 Tara Kristock, O’hare School, Mid-Usa, Usa
8 Caitlin Mann, Burke School, Ohio, Usa
9 Ashley Davidson, Butler-Fearon-O’connor, California & Ontario
10 Clare O’brien, O’shea-Chaplin Academy, Boston, Massachusetts

Girls Under 16 B
1 Megan Ichimoto, Butler-Fearon-O’connor, California & Ontario
2 Brianne Guardiola, Mayer School, Chicago, Illinois
3 Alexandra Hastings, Harney Academy, Walpole, Massachusetts
4 Kathryn Mccaffrey, Harney Academy, Walpole, Massachusetts
5 Julie Mcbrien, Verlin School, New York, Mid-Atlantic
6 Mary Kate Sheehan, Malone Academy, California, Usa
7 Brittany Scott, Irwin School, Calgary, Canada
8 Candice Corrigan, Penk-O’donnell School, Western Region, Canada
9 Hailey Mcguire, Watt, Fort St John, British Columbia
10 Kelsea Farmer, Butler-Fearon-O’connor, California & Ontario

Girls Under 15 A
1 Alanna Mervyn, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
2 Marnie Smith, Butler-Fearon-O’connor, California & Ontario
3 Megan Kerrigan, Kenny Academy, Birmingham, England
4 Fiona Taggart, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
5 Niamh Callan, Ni Chearra O’baolain, Drogheda, Ireland
6 Sarah Kowalski, Schade Academy, New York, Mid-Atlantic
7 Annelise Rubbo, Mcteggart School, Houston, Texas
8 Ashley Allen, Claddagh, California,
9 Colleen Dumke, Norton-Healy-O’brien, Mid-Usa, Usa
10 Lauren Kepley, Burke School, Ohio,

Girls Under 15 B
1 Gabriella Wood, Petri, New York,
2 Cassidy Duggan, Schade Academy, New York, Mid-Atlantic
3 Catie Foley, Drake School, Georgia & Florida
4 Erin-Kate Mcilravey, Caroline Greene, Glasgow, Scotland
5 Stevie Mazur, Watt, Fort St John, British Columbia
6 Brittany Lucatuorto, Mulvihill-Lynch School, New York, Usa
7 Ashley Tuccinardi, Lynn Academy, New England & Mid Atlantic
8 Rhistyn Burke, Claddagh, California, Usa
9 Lauren Kelly, Domican Academy, Donegal, Ireland
10 Samantha Saud, Mcging Irish Dancers, Cincinnati, Ohio

Girls Under 14 A
1 Clodagh Roper, Domican Academy, Donegal, Ireland
2 Erica Brady, Brady Academy, New England, Usa
3 Emily Monaghan, Mccarron Dance & Awards Ltd, Birmngham, England
4 Janie Turek, Inishfree School, Mid-Atlantic, Usa
5 Erinn Brown, Mcginley Academy, Ontario, Canada
6 Mary Katherine Kulp, Clann Na Cara, Buffalo, New York
7 Megan Borowy, Gray School, Connecticut, Usa
8 Emma Guerin, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
9 Tavia Russell-Caplan, Butler-Fearon-O’connor, California & Ontario
10 Brittany Silla, Goggin-Carroll, Toronto, Ontario

Girls Under 14 B
1 Niamh Taylor, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
2 Maggie Doyle, Trinity Academy, Illinois & Wisconsin
3 Taylor Kerrane, Petri, New York, Usa
4 Taylor Best, Harney Academy, Walpole, Massachusetts
5 Erica Guerin, O’sullivan School, New York & California
6 Kelly Mccourt, Gray School, Connecticut, Usa
7 Tara Duggan, Schade Academy, New York, Mid-Atlantic
8 Melissa Gabel, Mcginley Academy, Ontario, Canada
9 Megan Fixter, Goggin-Carroll, Toronto, Ontario
10 Jacqueline Kroll, Claddagh, California, Usa

Girls Under 13 A
1 Sinead Carson, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
2 Kevinah Dargan, Rince Na Tiarna, Buffalo, New York
3 Eilidh Morrice Ashdown, Penk-O’donnell School, Western Region, Canada
4 Trinity Dent, Norton-Healy-O’brien, Mid-Usa, Usa
5 Ciara Campbell, Brooks Academy, Hertfordshire, England
6 Savannah Mchale, Drake School, Georgia & Florida
7 Venessa Flanagan, Dennehy School, Chicago, Illinois
8 Lindsey Moesle, Norton-Healy-O’brien, Mid-Usa, Usa
9 Hali Thorne, Gray School, Connecticut, Usa
10 Jennifer Lyons, Smith-Houlihan Academy, New England, Usa

Girls Under 13 B
1 Maisie Bishop, Aaron Crosbie, London, England
2 Gabrielle Corrigan, Penk-O’donnell School, Western Region, Canada
3 Patricia Dumke, Norton-Healy-O’brien, Mid-Usa, Usa
4 Melanie Kane, Tony Comerford, Western Region, Usa
5 Catriona O’neill, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
6 Katie Holbrook, Goggin-Carroll, Toronto, Ontario
7 Megan Cahill, Norton-Healy-O’brien, Mid-Usa, Usa
8 Colleen Byrnes, Johnston School, Syracuse, New York
9 Mary Walsh, Inishfree School, Usa
10 Bridget Mac Kenzie, Cashel Dennehy, Midwest, Usa

Girls Under 12 A
1 Michaela Hinds, Butler-Fearon-O’connor, California & Ontario
2 Shannon Csapilla, Pender-Keady Academy, Connecticut, Usa
3 Mackenzie Holland, Trinity Academy, Illinois & Wisconsin
4 Danae Luetkehans, Trinity Academy, Illinois & Wisconsin
5 Colleen Egan, Mcloughlin School, New Jersey, Usa
6 Maeghan Murphy, Petri, New York, Usa
7 Shannon Deveney, Gray School, Connecticut, Usa
8 Abigail Conway, O’hare School, Michigan, Mid-West
9 Fionnuala Mcnulty, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
10 Kelsey Rose Packer, Trinity Academy, Illinois & Wisconsin

Girls Under 12 B
1 Etain Mulvenna, Mulvenna Academy, Belfast, Ireland
2 Rose White, Rince Na Tiarna, Buffalo, New York
3 Maureen Fitzpatrick, Schade Academy, New York, Mid-Atlantic
4 Merry Jo Devine, Johnston School, Syracuse, New York
5 Kerin Nussbaum, Petri, New York, Usa
6 Erin Lynch, Rince Na Tiarna, Buffalo, New York
7 Maggie Devine, Doyle Academy, Waterloo, Ontario
8 Molly Hanson, Petri, New York, Usa
9 Sarah Oldam, Peter Smith School, New Jersey, Usa
10 Elyse Smith, Trinity Academy, Illinois & Wisconsin

Girls Under 11
1 Jade Bridgewater, Mccarron Dance & Awards Ltd, Birmngham, England
2 Ann Marie Kenny, Claddagh, California, Usa
3 Tara Stone, Norton-Healy-O’brien, Mid-Usa, Usa
4 Cara Horan, Trinity Academy, Illinois & Wisconsin
5 Ellen Kennedy, O’connor, Sligo, Ireland
6 Ann Paige Turilli, Inishfree School, Mid-Atlantic, Usa
7 Katie Waughman, Caroline Greene, Glasgow, Scotland
8 Amanda Probert, Claddagh, California, Usa
9 Mollie Mannion, Smith-Houlihan Academy, New England, Usa
10 Mary Claire Mcdonnell, Anam Mor, Chicago, Illinois

Girls Under 10
1 Fiona Dargan, Rince Na Tiarna, Buffalo, New York
2 Ciara O’ Sullivan, Sheehan Murphy, Kerry, Ireland
3 Hayley Mcglone, Domican Academy, Donegal, Ireland
4 Cliodhna Kelly, Domican Academy, Donegal, Ireland
4 Shannon Bradley, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
6 Anna Sulger, Pender-Keady Academy, Connecticut, Usa
7 Valerie Gladiator, Reaney Academy, Eastern Region, Canada
8 Chloe Scannell, Clann Na Ngael, Newcastle, England
9 Niamh Murray, Kennedy School, Belfast, Ireland
10 Elizabeth Bish, Trinity Academy, Illinois & Wisconsin

Girls Under 9
1 Aoifé Griffin, Marion Flanagan, Oxford, England
2 Deirdre Lewin, Petri, New York, Usa
3 Roisin Langan Browne, Sheehan Murphy, Kerry, Ireland
4 Kaela Gray Milewski, Gray School, Connecticut, Usa
5 Erin Leonard, Smith-Houlihan Academy, New England, Usa
6 Sydney Foley-Klyczek, Kristin Butke, Tennessee& Oklahoma
7 Caroline Cofoid, Mulhern School, Chicago, Illinois
8 Margaret Hanley, Forbes School, Quincy, Massachusetts
9 Cliodhna Mclaughlin, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
10 Kate Gallo, Mulhern School, Chicago, Illinois

Girls Under 8
1 Sophia Fitzmaurice, Aaron Crosbie, London, England
2 Roisin Naughton, Coleman School, Mayo, Ireland
3 Clare Frumkin, Norton-Healy-O’brien, Mid-Usa, Usa
4 Olivia Gough, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
5 Niamh Neale, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
6 Erin Mcavoy, Petri, New York, Usa
7 Renae Marshall, Wick School, Colorado, Usa
8 Mary Muise, O’hare School, Mid-Usa, Usa
9 Lauren Finglas, Ni Chearra O’baolain, Drogheda, Ireland
10 Rosin O’neill, Petri, New York, Usa

Men 21 & Over
1 Owen Barrington, Tony Comerford, Western Region, Usa
2 Andrew Roberts, Miller, Adelaide, Australia
3 Joseph Manning, O’riada Academy, Kansas City, Kansas
4 James Hester, Peter Smith School, New Jersey, Usa
5 John Grimes, Bernadette Short, Montreal, Quebec
6 Christopher Carswell, Breen-Kerr-Poulton, Melbourne, Australia

Men 19 & Under 21
1 Ziggy Gaca, Scoil Rince Ceim Oir, London, England
2 Allan Mills, Aaron Crosbie, London, England
3 Kincaid Stringer, Eimir Ni Mhaoileidigh, Austin, Texas
4 Scott Doherty, O’shea-Chaplin Academy, Boston, Massachusetts
5 Thomas Conroy, Devaney Academy, Lincoln, England
6 Dermot Doyle, Scoil Rince Aisling, Sydney, Australia
7 Michael Keane, Bernadette Short, Montreal, Quebec

Men Under 19
1 James Breen, Murchu-Duiginn, London, England
2 Colin Fleck, Richens-Timm Academy, Mid-Usa, Usa
3 Michael Thurin, Butler-Fearon-O’connor, California & Ontario
4 Connor Nagan, Tony Comerford, Western Region, Usa
5 Matt Kaster, Richens-Timm Academy, Mid-Usa, Usa
6 Jonathan Presley, Mcteggart School, California, Usa

Men Under 18
1 Gerard Carson, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
2 Morgan Comer, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
3 Levi Hatgi, Martin Percival School, Colorado, Usa
4 Kevin Sylvester, Mcloughlin School, New Jersey, Usa
5 Dan Medora, Cashel Dennehy, Midwest, Usa
6 Martin Mckay, Caroline Greene, Glasgow, Scotland
7 Ian Kosmaczewski, Smith-Houlihan Academy, New England, Usa
8 Chris Murphy, Simpson Academy, Canberra, Australia
9 Patrick Quinlivan, Rince Na Héireann, North Carolina, Usa
10 Shane Byrne, Stewart School, Vancouver, Canada

Boys Under 17
1 Michael Holland, Richens-Timm Academy, Mid-Usa, Usa
2 Craig Mason, Kelly Hendry, Newcastle, England
3 Cian Houlihan Smith, Smith-Houlihan Academy, New England, Usa
4 Blaine Donovan, Mcteggart School, Colorado, Usa
5 Kieran Coleman, Burke School, Ohio, Usa
6 Aidan Fitzgerald, Ni Fhearraigh-O’ceallaigh, Newmarket & Ontario
7 Jan Gaca, Scoil Rince Ceim Oir, London, England
8 Liam Dinsmore, Goggin-Carroll, Toronto, Ontario
9 Cian Hackett, Mattierin School, Alberta, Canada
10 Sean O’connor-Kennedy, Butler-Fearon-O’connor, California & Ontario

Boys Under 16
1 Jason Hayes, Mcteggart School, Fresno, California
2 Tyler Schwartz, Anam Mor, Chicago, Illinois
3 John Godley, Mullane School, Mid-Usa, Usa
4 Owen Smith, Donny Golden, Mid-Atlantic, New York
5 Brendan Chisholm, Martin Percival School, Colorado, Usa
6 Colin Casey, Scoil Ard Na Greine, Calgary, Alberta
7 Joseph Stewart, Davis Academy, New Jersey, Usa
8 Evan Trudell, Murphy Irish Dancers, California, Usa
9 Alex Bara, Dennehy School, Chicago, Illinois
10 Billy Kanaly, Reed School, Denver, Colorado

Boys Under 15
1 Brendan Mullane, Mullane School, Mid-Usa, Usa
2 Niall Mccarron, Mccarron Dance & Awards Ltd, Birmngham, England
3 Ian Gott, Irwin School, Calgary, Canada
4 Michael Putman, Dennehy School, Chicago, Illinois
5 Peter Ryan, Kathleen O’keefe, New York, Usa
6 Zach Klingenberg, Richens-Timm Academy, Mid-Usa, Usa
7 Conor Swanson, Norton-Healy-O’brien, Mid-Usa, Usa
8 Ian Mcleod, Butler-Fearon-O’connor, California & Ontario
9 Nicholas Shore, Mcelligott-Gallagher, Phoenix, Arizona
10 Nigel Lew, Scoil Ard Na Greine, Calgary, Alberta

Boys Under 14
1 Lorcan Balfe, Butler-Fearon-O’connor, California & Ontario
2 Conor Obrien, O’shea-Chaplin Academy, Boston, Massachusetts
3 John Mulgrew, Doherty-Reid, Belfast, Antrim
4 Kevin Mccormack, O’shea-Chaplin Academy, Boston, Massachusetts
5 Dylan Millar, Devaney Academy, Lincoln, England
6 Andrew Babyn, Ni Fhearraigh-O’ceallaigh, Newmarket & Ontario
7 Jimmy Kimmel, Mulvihill-Lynch School, New York, Usa
8 Patrick Gerrity, Scoil Rince Ni Chiara, Mid-Usa, Usa
9 Luc Benoit, Tony Comerford, Western Region, Usa
10 Tommy Stewart, Bell School, Pittsburgh, Usa

Boys Under 13
1 Fred Nguyen, De Danaan, Canada
2 Brian Perry-Carrera, Kennelly School, California,
3 Joseph Lanzillotta, Mulvihill-Lynch School, New York, Usa
4 Owen Sherman, Maguire O’shea, Essex, England
5 Conor Coleman, Burke School, Ohio,
6 Jeremy Brooks, Chase Academy, Gold Coast, Australia
7 Brian Mclaughlin, Nugent School, Dayton, Ohio
8 Kellan Carney, Corda Mor, Minnesota, Usa
9 Jack Fleck, Richens-Timm Academy, Mid-Usa, Usa
10 John Ferns, Denogla School, New Jersey, Usa

Boys Under 12
1 Shane Duignan, Hession, Galway, Ireland
2 Caolan Mckeating-Lynch, Mulvenna Academy, Belfast, Ireland
3 Will Walant, Pender-Keady Academy, Connecticut, Usa
4 Connor Mccarthy, Harney Academy, Walpole, Massachusetts
5 Connor Duignan, Hession, Galway,
6 Michael Gardiner, Hession, Galway,
7 Logan Bridge, Kennelly School, California, Usa
8 Tayler Nunes, Harney Academy, Walpole, Massachusetts
9 Ben Freemantle, Penk-O’donnell School, Western Region, Canada
10 Aiden Hartnett, Trinity Academy, Illinois & Wisconsin

Boys Under 11
1 Michael Fleck, Richens-Timm Academy, Mid-Usa, Usa
2 Kevin Duncan, Burke School, Ohio, Usa
3 Daniel Mccormick, Burke School, Ohio, Usa
4 Joey Mello, Gray School, Connecticut, Usa
5 Colin Dyson, Griffith Academy, Connecticut, Usa
6 James O’shea, Smith-Houlihan Academy, New England, Usa
7 Daire O’baolain, Ni Chearra O’baolain, Drogheda, Ireland
8 Thomas Lavin, Schade Academy, New York, Mid-Atlantic
9 Justin Carl, Rosemary Campbell School, Mid-Atlantic, Usa
10 Kevin Shepherd, Pender-Keady Academy, Connecticut, Usa

Boys Under 10
1 James Mccarthy, Marion Flanagan, Oxford, England
2 Rory Mcelvogue-Heslop, Mcelvogue, Newcastle, England
3 Nathan Dale, Norton-Healy-O’brien, Mid-Usa, Usa
4 Liam Mcmahon, Inishfree School, Mid-Atlantic, Usa
5 Parket Charles, Graham Academy, St Louis, Missouri
6 Samuel Miller, Goulding School, Massachusetts, Usa
7 Peter Dziak, Trinity Academy, Illinois
8 Sean James Packer, Trinity Academy, Illinois & Wisconsin
9 Philip Roberto, Norton-Healy-O’brien, Mid-Usa, Usa
10 Brendan Oatman, O’hare School, Mid-Usa, Usa

Boys Under 9
1 Curtis Long, Doherty-Reid, Belfast
2 Christophe Bouchard, Mattierin School, Alberta, Canada
3 Conor Reagan, Inishfree School, Mid-Atlantic, Usa
4 Garrett Quinn Lynch, Schade Academy, New York, Mid-Atlantic
5 Sean Markovitz, Graham Academy, St Louis, Missouri
6 Colm Alba, Kinsella Academy, Milwuakee, Wisconsin
7 Connor Sullivan, Inishfree School,
8 Matthew Dougherty, Kelly Oster School, New York, Usa
9 Colin O’connell, World Academy, Chicago, Mid-Usa

Boys Under 8
1 Liam Grant, Butler-Fearon-O’connor, California & Ontario
2 Matthew Gardiner, Hession, Galway, Ireland
3 Dylan Arthur Packer, Trinity Academy, Illinois & Wisconsin
4 Eamon Reagan, Inishfree School, Mid-Atlantic, Usa
5 Declan Fay, Inishfree School, Usa
6 Dylan Ocorr, Drumcliffe School, Mid-Atlantic, New York
7 Sean Crosby, Hagen School, NY

Girls Ceili Under 9
1 A, Norton Healy O’brien
2 A, Harney Academy
3 A, Woods School
4 A, Forbes School
5 B, Harney Academy

Girls Ceili Under 11
1 A, Harney Academy
2 A, Cashel Dennehy
3 A, Claddagh School
4 A, Goggin Carroll
5 A, Healy School
6 A, Cara School
7 A, Pender Keady Academy
8 A, Mullane School

Girls Ceili Under 13
1 A, Claddagh School
2 A, Goggin Carroll
3 A, O’sullivan School
4 A, Norton Healy O’brien
5 A, Rince Na Tiarna
6 A, Harney Academy
7 A, Pender Keady Academy
8 A, Penk O’donnell School
9 A, Johnston School
10 A, Nevin Academy

Girls Ceili Under 16
1 A, Harney Academy
2 B, Butler Fearon O’connor
3 B, Claddagh School
4 A, Claddagh School
5 A, Butler Fearon O’connor
6 A, O’shea Chaplin Academy
7 B, Harney Academy
8 A, Mcging School
9 A, O’sullivan School
10 A, Rince Na Heireann

Girls Ceili 16 & Over
1 A, Claddagh School
2A, World Academy
3 B, Mullane School
4 A, Scoil Ard Na Greine
5 A, Woodgate School
5 A, Lavin Cassidy School
7 A, Mullane School
8 A, Gray School
9 A, Drumcliffe School
10 B, Penk O’donnell School

Mixed Ceili Under 9
1 B, Cara School
2 A, Cara School
3 A, Kelly Oster School

Mixed Ceili Under 11
1 B, Cara School
2 A, Gray School
3 A, Kinsella Academy
4 A, World Academy
5 A, Greene Academy
6 A, Hagen School
7 A, Cara School
8 A, Kelly Oster School

Mixed Ceili Under 13
1 A, World Academy
2 A, Penk O’donnell School
3 A, Pender Keady Academy
4 A, Cara School
5 A, Gray School
6 A, Drumcliffe School

Mixed Ceili Under 16
1 A, Scoil Ard Na Greine
2 A, Irwin School
3 A, Knock School
4 A, Drake School
5 A, Goggin Carroll
6A, Peter Smith School

Mixed Ceili 16 & Over
1 A, Cashel Dennehy
2 A, Scoil Ard Na Greine
3 A, Bernadette Short School
4 A, Peter Smith School
5 A, Dunleavy Shaffer
6 A, Mullane School
7 A, Murphy Irish Arts Center
8 A, Knock School

Figure Under 11
1 A, Kelly Oster School

Competition No, 40
1 A, Mullane School
2 A, World Academy
3 A, Pender Keady Academy
4 A, Ni Fhearraigh O’ceallaigh
5 A, O’sullivan Academy
6 A, Claddagh School
7 A, Kelly Oster School

Competition No, 41
1 A, Claddagh School
2 A, Ni Fhearraigh O’ceallaigh
3 A, Drumcliffe School
4 A, Pender Keady Academy
5 A, Kelly Oster School

Competition No, 42
1 A, Mullane School
2 A, Claddagh School
3 B, Murphy Irish Arts Center
4 A, Dunleavy Shaffer School
5 A, Graham School
6 A, Murphy Irish Arts Center

Competition No, 43
1 A, World Academy
2 B, Murphy Irish Arts Center
3 A, Murphy Irish Arts Center
4 A, Maple School
5 A, Hagen School

Adult Ladies Ceili
1 A, O’rourke School
2 A, Sue Fay Healy School
3 A, Culkin School
4 A, Butler Fearon O’connor
5 A, Young School
6 A, Bremer School
7 A, Niall O’leary School
8 A, Celtic Academy

Adult Mixed Ceili
1 A, Young School
2 A, O’rourke School
3 A, Crossroads School

What Fun! This month I have been really busy when it comes to my Irish dancing. I flew over to Dublin for an intensive lesson with Olive which was fantastic! Great fun even though she works me really hard. We finally got my Reel sorted and there is even a secret discussion of should attend a Feis and compete with it? My first reaction was Aghhhhh, no way. But then Olive reminded me that as long as I practice hard every day I will be ready in no time! Well, we will see.

Another great event this month was that I got to dance with Riverdance? I know how amazing is that! I and eight competition winners met up with the cast of the Corrib Troupe in the Bristol Hippodrome to take part in an intensive two-hour workshop.

After meeting the cast members who were kind enough to give up their time to teach us we all put on our hard shoes and got ready to go! I was so scared and as it turned out, with good reason. Megan Dixon and Keeleigh O’Keeffe, two seven year old dancers who had come to take part, were in my group and they managed to make me look ridiculous! They were such good dancers and picked it up really quickly, while I was left standing looking like a lemon! But I gave it my best and tried my hardest. I worked really hard and soon found sweat dripping from me. I could see all the families in the auditorium giggling at me!

We were learning a set dance from the show, and it was very exciting. All the IDM winners really enjoyed the day and it felt good to know that I had been able to give them something special to remember.

After an hour of learning the steps we tried it to the music! Man it’s fast! DIdiley didiley and Tamasine is already two 123s behind. But with a bit more practice I nearly got it! And I must congratulate the other dancers who attended. Megan, Keelie, Calum, Colleen, Lucy, Lauren, Bridget and the second Megan were ALL totally amazing! It was so impressive to see them all making up a Riverdance line, they all looked so professional and natural! Well done everyone. We will keep our eyes open for the IDM winners tour soon!

Right then- As Editor of a magazine dedicated to Irish Dancing around the world www.irishdancing.com, I have come to the conclusion that I really should learn to Irish Dance.

I used to Ballet dance from the age of 2 and 1/2 up till about 18. Then I did a little dance at uni and just kinda ran out of energy! I.e: I became lazy and got a boyfriend!

However as the dawn of 2007 broke, I realised that the time was right to reintroduce myself to the wonders of dancing!

So this blog will cover the highs and lows of my Irish Dancing lessons.

I don't expect that they will be easy, and I expect to get a very red sweaty face... but hey I will get fit and show my dedication to my job. I kinda figure that to be the best journalist you can be you should not only connect with your readers, but also with the subject you're writing about! So wish me luck...here I go!