Arts & Entertainment

Basking Ridge Dancer Headed To Ireland To Compete In World Championship

Hannah Cunniffe of Basking Ridge is a senior at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung.

Hannah Cunniffe of Basking Ridge and Meghan Crowley of Flemington are both students at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung.
Hannah Cunniffe of Basking Ridge and Meghan Crowley of Flemington are both students at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung. (Courtesy of Hannah Cunniffe)

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Hannah Cunniffe of Basking Ridge is headed to Belfast, Ireland to compete in the World Irish Dancing Championships in April.

Cunniffe, a senior at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung, recently competed in the Mid Atlantic Regional Oireachtas for Irish dancing over Thanksgiving weekend.

Out of 100 girls from all over the region, Cunniffe placed second overall in the competition, which qualified her for the World Irish Dancing Championships.

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"Since the pandemic, dance classes have been different with social distancing and there are limited local competitions to prepare," said Cunniffe. "In November I was going to class five days a week to make sure I was in shape after a long hiatus from the rigorous competing schedule I am used to. I am very grateful to have placed so high as well as see all my friends who dance at other schools again."

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