North Raleigh Today

The Triggle Academy of Irish Dance in Raleigh recently went for the brass ring, competing in the 50th Annual World Irish Dancing Championship in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and coming home with some well-earned hardware.

"This is what everyone works for is to win a world,” owner Daniel Triggle told ABC 11 News. “So to be able to work through it, and for the kids to be able to continue to work through the pandemic and on Zoom classes and not being able to be in the studio all the time. They've really stayed engaged and focused and determined. So for it to pay off this year and finally get what we all work for, I mean, it was just amazing."

The championship brought together competitors from all over the world. Dancers from the academy won several awards, including taking first in the world for senior choreography. Members also placed second in the senior girl's ceili and third place in the junior mixed ceili with two solo medalists coming in 11th and 24th place.

The success comes after COVID-19 caused major disruptions throughout the dance world. The World Irish Dancing Championship took a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic. 

Closer to home, fans and lovers of Irish dance will have a change to see the academy’s award-winning skills when the school will be performing Saturday, June 25, at the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center.