Meet the Dancers - Trad on the Prom

World Champion Irish Dancers

Claire Greaney

Claire was successful in winning the World Championship a staggering six times. She has also won numerous major international dancing titles including the All-Ireland Championships, the British National Championships, the Great Britain Championships, the All Scotland Championships and the Connaught Championships. Claire was unbeaten in all of these titles in the year 2011.

Fergal Keaney

Fergal started Irish dancing at the age of 5 at his local national school Maree N.S. From there he went on to join the O’Brien school of Irish dancing in Galway and began his competitive career. During his time there Fergal won 4 Connaught titles, 1 All Ireland Title, The European Championships and 2 consecutive world dancing titles.

Cathal Keaney

Cathal Keaney started dancing at the age of 5 with his older brother Fergal. Now 20 years old he has had a long dancing career. Cathal has trained for many years with the Hessian School of Irish dancing in Galway. From an early age Cathal was winning major competitions. He is an unbeaten Connaught Champion and he won his first all Ireland title at 9 years of age.

Colm Conneely

Colm Conneely has been dancing since he was five years old, however his passion wasn't truly ignited until he started competing at the age of nine. Competitive dancing inspired him to perfect his technique and develop his style while motivating him to experiment with dancing to different rhythms. Colm loves working to the 'beat' or rhythm of all music genres, especially any type of Irish music. His devotion and love of dance is clearly reflected in his captivating performances.

Emer Finnerty

Emer joined the Hession School of Irish Dancing when she was 4 years old and continues to dance competitively for her school. Emer was Connacht Champion at an early age and has won numerous medals and achieved top placings at the All Ireland and World Championships. She also competed successfully in the UK and America.

Anne Marie Keaney

Anne Marie Keaney started dancing at the age of four, following in the footsteps of her brothers World Champions Fergal and Cathal Keaney. She dances for the Hession School of Irish Dance in Galway. In addition to back-to-back Connacht championships, Anne Marie has achieved top rankings in all the major competitions placing 2nd in the British Nationals, 3rd in the Irish Nationals, 3rd in the European Championships and 5th in the North American Nationals. She has also placed highly at several World Championships.

Michael Gardiner

Michael Gardiner started Irish dancing in Denver, Colorado at the age of 5. He won the Western Regional Oireachtas four times and competed all over the United States.

Matthew Gardiner

World Champion Matthew Gardiner was born in Denver, Colorado. At the age of 4 he started Irish dancing, following in the footsteps of his sister Anna and brother Michael. While living in the U.S., Matthew won two Western Regional Oireachtas. He was 2nd at the North American Championships when he was only 6.

Dara Kelly and Ronan O'Connell

Dara Kelly and Ronan O Connell from the Hession School of Irish Dancing, crowned winners of Ireland’s National TV station Irish dancing show "An Ríl Deal".

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