Mars Area Middle School eighth-grader Makenna Myler will compete in the 50th annual World Irish Dancing Championships, to be held April 10-17 in Belfast, Ireland.

Myler first became interested in Irish Dance at age 5, when on vacation with her family she saw an Irish Dance group perform. Shortly, thereafter she joined the Bell School of Irish Dance (Wexford) and has been dancing ever since.

The World Irish Dancing Championships or Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne is the highest level of competition for Irish dancers within the Irish Dancing Commission (Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha) organization, says Julia Bell, Bell School of Irish Dance director.

“It is the equivalent of the Irish Dance Olympics,” says Bell, noting that the events draws thousands of the competitors from around the globe, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, England, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, Scotland and the United States. “It is an real honor to qualify to compete in this event.”

Myler qualified for the world event at the 2021 Irish Dance Teachers Association of Mid-America (IDTAMA) Regional Oireachtas, held Nov. 25-27 in Schaumburg, Ill. She previously qualified for the world championships that were scheduled 2020 and 2021; however, both events were cancelled amid concerns surrounding the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In addition to regional events, Myler also competes at the annual North American Irish Dance Championships (NAIDC), which bring together dancers from throughout the United States and Canada. And, she participates in multiple Feis events each year.

“(Myler) is a very good student… hard-working, dedicated and possesses a lot of discipline,” says Bell. “She works very hard to master her art and is a joy to teach.” 

For more information, visit www.clrg.ie.