Two North American teams top World Irish Dancing Championships -- top ten results

Cashel-Dennehy School of Irish Dance 2012 World Irish Dancing Girls 13-16 Ceili Champions Photo courtesy OnTheFeis

Two groups of young ladies aged 16-19 from North America beat out 35 other girls' 8-hand ceili teams for  the Top Two positions on the podium at the World Irish Dancing Championships Friday.  Eight girls from Cashel-Dennehy School of Irish Dance in Wisconsin were awarded the 2012 World Irish Dancing Championship, and Claddagh Irish Dance Company's team, from California, stepped up just after to accept the 2nd place award.  Cashel-Dennehy is also home to the 2010 World Irish Dancing Championship for the under 16 girls' ceili team.

Claddagh Irish Dance Company 2nd place Girls Ceili 13-16 World Irish Dancing Championships Photo courtesy OnTheFe

Four North American teams were among the nineteen that recalled after the first round of dancing.  Groups from Marie Moore Irish Dance in New Jersey and Mulhern School of Irish Dance in Illinois, also put on fine shows for the adjudicators in the second round.  Marie Moore ended up in 6th place and Mulhern in 12th.

Mark Mohan, Paul O'Donnell and Liam O'Sullivan Photo courtesy OnTheFeis

The message boards and Facebook, as well as OnTheFeis was inundated about the fine quality of music all week, and especially during the team competitions.  Credit is due Mark Mohan, Paul O'Donnell and Liam O'Sullivan for their expertise and outstanding performances which accompanied the World-qualified teams