In Pictures: Joyous celebrations for Donegal’s world champion Irish dancers

StudioS in Donegal Town which houses Scoil Rince Tir Chonaill was overflowing with love, pride and respect as three world champion Irish dancers were welcomed home. Click on the arrows to see a selection of Siobhán McNamara's photos from the homecoming:

Makayla Byrne is the U14 World Champion, previous winner Jane Quinn is U19 World Champion, and Hazel Gillespie is U32 World Champion. They were joined at the homecoming on Sunday, April 12 by their fellow dancers who had attended the  competition at the Palais de Congrès, Liège, Belgium between Wednesday, April 8 and Saturday, April 11.

Family, friends and members of the community gathered to celebrate with Scoil Rince Tir Chonaill. The school was established by Sarah Gillespie, ably assisted by family members including her sister Ruth who Sarah thanked for the knowledge and organisational skills that she brought to the world championships.

READ NEXT: In Pictures - Strictly Fairytale Come Dancing at Musical Easter Camp

Sarah, Ruth, and everyone gathered were brimming with pride at the achievement of all the dancers. 

Sarah said: “We have felt every range of emotion in the last three to four days, but honestly, the most overwhelming emotion was coming around the corner of the studio and seeing all of these faces here to welcome us home. I can’t thank you enough for your support.

“It has been an immense few days, in fact, an immense few months, because wins like this don’t happen on the stage. They happen in the days, the hours, the months, before that.

“We had an incredible team away to Belgium with us. And every single one of them has been a credit to themselves, their parents, the dance school, and the town.”

This was met with a huge round of applause.

“When you go to these competitions what you hope for is that every dancer comes down off the stage knowing that they have done the best that they can do,” continued Sarah. “They did that and more.

“And in the back of your head, you always hope that you might have a winner. You never dare to dream that you might have three. It has been an incredible experience.”

Sarah introduced each of the dancers who attended the world championships, and outlined their achievements. 

Mayor of Donegal Town Anna Gallagher said she felt very privileged to be present for the emotional homecoming.

“As you called each dancer out, I just love that it is like an extension of your family. I know it is, I can feel it.  I feel it every time I come in here. 

“You mothered them all, you embraced them all when they came out. You can tell the family tradition of embracing this talent and this is why you have come to the pinnacle that you have. 

“I remember reading a book to my own children and it was about a mother bear who read to her three bears, and they were all very different little bears but they all had their own unique talents. And the name of the book is You’re All My Favourites. 

“Even though you are all very different individuals, there is a uniqueness about you, that is to be cherished and to be championed.”

READ NEXT: Spectacular Donegal beach is the arena for European Youth Lifesaving Championships

The mayor spoke of what the dancers’ achievements meant to the people of Donegal Town.

“When you come to dance, this is your home,” she said. “As Mayor of the town, I am very, very proud. 

“You danced at my ball. I was beaming with pride that night as well, and that is what community is all about, being able to go out and come to other functions and share your talent and share your dreams.

“The town and the community of Donegal is extremely proud. That news as it came in, not one, not two, but three world champions, that is amazing. Go girls!

“Well done to everyone. Even just going there and being brave enough to get up on that stage and give it your all and show your talent to the world, I am extremely proud of you.”

As well as the three world champions, there were other notable achievements by members of Scoil Rince Tir Chonaill who travelled to the world championships:

Michaela Curley - 2nd place U9

Lily-May Spencer - 2nd place U13

Kelly Lindsay - 3rd place U18 

Katie Gillespie - 4th place U27

Aoibheann Murray - 5th place U13

Helena Kennedy - 7th place U45

Emily Kennedy - 7th place U10 

Caitlin Meehan - 8th place U13

Katie Friel-Gallagher - 8th place U15