The World Irish Dancing Championships held in Galway confirm a soaring interest in step dance.
Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne (World Irish Dancing Championships) is an annual Irish step dance competition run by An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (Irish Dancing Commission). The championships are taking place in Leisureland, Salthill in Galway from 7 - 12 April. This is the first time the Oireachtas has been held outside Dublin. According to organisers,
The 1982 competitions are already an outstanding success and a milestone in the history of Irish step dancing.
The Oireachtas is formally opened by Eamonn Casey, bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh. Minister for the Gaeltacht Pádraig Flynn and members of An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha are also present. With the speeches over the competitions got underway in earnest.
During the week over 3,000 dancers will compete in the various championships, almost half of them coming from the United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and of course from all over Britain.
The bracing Irish weather didn't seem to dampen their spirits too much.
Chairman of An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha Séamus Mac Conuladh reports the event is going from strength to strength,
It’s easily the biggest Oireachtas Rince ever.
Numbers competing are up on the previous year. Séamus Mac Conuladh is heartened to see the increase is in the older age groups. This shows young people are no longer dropping out of competitive dancing when they reach 14 or 15 years of age.
Séamus Mac Conuladh believes the commitment to Irish step dancing across the globe is down to the enthusiasm of dancing teachers and possibly the influence of parents wanting their children to have a connection with Ireland.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 8 April 1982. The reporter is Jim Fahy.
