Outstanding Offaly dancers shine at World Irish Dance Championships

Emerald Lakes Offaly Dancers, Emma Pierce from Walsh Island and Aoife Quinn from Croghan were recalled into the Finals at the World Irish Dance Championships in Liege, Belgium last where dramatic scenes of celebration erupted as heroic performances from the Offaly duo threaded the Palais De Congres Europa Arena in Belgium.

In the U-13 World Championship, Aoife Quinn of Corghan took eighth place in the World and Emma Pierce of Walsh Island in the U-30 World Championship took sixth place as the Offaly duo moved up the World Rankings at the World Irish Dance Association World Championships.

Yet again The Emerald Lakes Academy of Irish Dance & TTC Group and its troupe of 31 dancers have taken the WIDA World Irish Dance Championships by Storm in Liege, Belgium after another showdown between 24 participating countries at the WIDA World Irish Dance Championships 2025 in Belgium.

The Lakers took a record 15 World Globes across multiple World Solo Championships and World Team Championships with a defining moment when Emerald Lakes dancer Zofia Bielicka being crowned six time World Champion and in doing so Zofia made WIDA World Irish Dance History for Emerald Lakes of Rochfortbridge and Mullingar at the impressive Palais Des Congres Arena in Liege.

The massive concert complex with three World Arenas were all in operation for the action packed four days last week as the 31 members of the Emerald Lakes Academy of Irish Dance & TTC Group took to the stage to represent Team Emerald Lakes Ireland of Offaly, Westmeath and Kildare.

The Rochfortbridge based school was established in 2009 by Kevin Lyster and this mainly voluntary group brings Irish Dance in both solo and team dancing to the world with the added element of Theatrical Irish Dance in the prestigious World Show Dance Championship.

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Founder Kevin Lyster with his team of Elaine Long, Marilyn Loran and Ciara Doyle ensured that Westmeath would be at peak performance for the intense championships which are now renowned to be the most inclusive & progressive Irish Dance Championships among multiple organisations across the World. WIDA is the only Irish Dance Organisation to give every dancer an equal opportunity to perform for not only their school but for their county and country at any age. The 31 strong dance squad from Rochfortbridge and surrounding areas impacted the World Championships with unprecedented performances by this hugely popular group of dancers ranging in ages from 7 years of age to 65 years of age.

The team of 31 Emerald Lakes representatives for Worlds 2025 were Alba Trigo Lyster, Leila Trigo Lyster, Blaithin 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, Cailin 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 & Neabhae McDermott who all performed across multiple solo and team disciplines.

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The next world title up for grabs was the coveted World Show Dance Championship where a teacher must write a storyline, create a dance and create a music masterpiece to bring a costumed theatrical performance to the stage. Emerald Lakes are now five time World Champions with Kevin Lyster renowned for his storylines and productions which always capture audiences across the world.

This year Kevin brought Westmeath Mythology and history to the stage with a Show piece called "Clann Lir" - Children of Lir.

Kevin developed a story around the story from Westmeath's Lough Derravaragh which resulted in 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 dramatic flying birds that were flown by Holly Martin and Leila Trigo Lyster which captivated the audience from the outset.

The 20 strong team panel from Emerald Lakes ensured a dramatic opening ensued to flying swans, spell binding moments in a battle with Emma Pierce the wicked Step-mother and Aoife Quinn, Spirit of the Lake. The sheer perfection and power of this performance in the World Championship Show Dance Competition took Emerald Lakes to 2nd 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, Cailin Sheridan, Holly Walshe, Kayleigh Strickland and Neabhea McDermott brought energy and power to the performance. The Figure Choreography Freestyle dance also came up trumps taking 2nd place in the World with a Choreographed dance called St. Brigid's Cross. The U12 Ceili Team, U17 Ceili team and O30 Ceili Team all took 4th place out of scores of teams from across the World. 2 hand Champions Alba Trigo Lyster & Romy Sheahan impressed with their 2 Hand moves and in the Overall Team Championship of 23 Dancers over 5 rounds claimed 6th Place at the Worlds 2025.

As another year closes on the WIDA World Championships which are now the biggest global Irish Dance Championships in the World Countrywise will now reflect on what was an outstanding year of Irish Dance family moments where Emerald Lakes will remain one of the most successful Schools in the World as it continues to base itself on the core values of Family, Unity and Healthy Competition where everyone is equal.