Comhaltas Dancers from Offaly crowned All Ireland Champions

The CCE dancers from Birr celebrate their wins during the Fleadh.

placeholder image — The CCE dancers from Birr celebrate their wins during the Fleadh.

Birr's talented Trad dancers perform brilliantly once again

The talented Comhaltas dancers from Birr were crowned All Ireland Champions recently in the 4-hand reel and the 8-hand reel competitions during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford.

The team of Sarah Cooke, Tara Seguin, Kathy Dermody and Aoife Maher were crowned the All Ireland Fleadh 4 hand Reel Champions for the second year in a row. The dancers in the 8 hand Reel group were Aoife Gilligan, Aoife Maher, Eimear Teehan, Kathy Dermody, Tara Seguin, Sarah Cooke, Grainne Nolan and Amy Ryan.

Congratulations poured in from many quarters afterwards. "Maith sibh go léir agus comhghairdeas libh," said one.

The Four Hand and Eight Hand Reels are lively traditional dances for four or eight dancers, typically performed in sets of couples. The Birr ladies expertly executed their series of steps, whether it was "Lead Around," "The Square," "Four Sevens," "Hands Across," "Down the Center," or the "Right and Left Chain". It was clear that they were masters of the quick, energetic movements required as well as the intricate formations.

https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/home/1789392/flawless-outstanding-offaly-dancers-claim-all-ireland-title-with-outstanding-performance.html