Danbury Irish Dancers Bring Home Trophies

(l. to r.) Abigail Dugan, Emelia Gibowicz

DANBURY, CT —Local dancers representing the Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance brought home three regional titles, two World Championship qualifying positions, five National Championship qualifying positions, a top five podium placing team award and numerous other medals and recalls from the New England Regional Irish Dance Championship.

Also known as the "Oireachtas," the championship was recently held in Hartford. It is the area's most prestigious event bringing in top dancers from schools in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. Competitions may have as many as 100 competitors.

In the traditional set championships, first place titles were earned by Adeline Gibowicz of Danbury, Emelia Gibowicz of Danbury and Abigail Dugan of Washington, CT.

The Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance, with classes and camps in Newtown, Danbury and Southbury, is directed by former Riverdance and Lord of the Dance stars Craig Ashurst and Christina Dolzall-Ashurst of Newtown. Both were highly successful competitive dancers themselves collectively holding many regional, national and international titles.

The World Irish Dance Championships, which is the Olympics of Irish dance, will be held in North America this year. Cian Walls of Woodbridge and Piper Normand of Canton, both Ashurst Academy students, have qualified to compete in their respective solo championships.

(l. to r.) Craig Ashurst, Adeline Gibowicz, Christina Dolzall-Ashurst

Photos provided.