Their fast feet and high kicks have landed the dancers of the Ramsay School Of Irish Dance the opportunity to participate in the 2025 World Irish Dance Championships.
Among the energetic, specialist dancers is Stellenbosch dancer Cathryn Goodwin.
According to the 27-year-old it was the music and athleticism that drew her to Irish dance.
“The lively music, different rhythms and energy are what first attracted me to Irish dancing. It is an amazing form of exercise, and it also allows one to meet many wonderful people,” she related. “Irish dancing has helped grow my confidence and has given me a sense of belonging. What started as a hobby and sport has become a huge part of my life.”
Now, with more than two decades of dance under her belt, Goodwin and her fellow dancers each have to raise R50 000 to attend to the international championships.
“The Ramsay dancers were joined by many other qualifiers from schools and studios around South Africa that are travelling to Dublin to represent themselves and their country at the World Championships this year,” Kelsey Bester said. “We are very excited for South Africa as we have a big group this year, and we love to support one another overseas, waving our flag high.”
Bester’s mother, Elaine, was one of the founders of the Ramsay School in Benoni 1998. Since then, dancers of Irish heritage and otherwise have joined the school.
“Initially the surge of interest in Irish dance in South Africa emanated from popular shows such as Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, which came to South Africa,” Bester pointed out. “Now people either see local acts performing and bring their children, or may be aware of the dance form from Instagram and influencers that have made the Irish famous, such as The Gardiner Brothers.”
The group hoping to travel to the international competition in April will participate in four main dances: the Reel and Slip Jig, which is done in soft shoes, and the Treble Jig and Hornpipe, which are in the hard shoes, with extras including the Light Jig and Single Jig.
There are also group dances called Céilí, where groups of two, four, six, eight, 12 and 16 take to the stage.
“Irish-dance competitions are very long days and very specific to this sport. There are four ‘grades’ of dance and then we have a special ‘ungraded’ section for the very young kids,” Bester explained.
“The dancers will take part in their four main dances in their grade for medals and there are extra dances offered that vary from competition to competition. The competition itself is known as ‘feís’ in Irish. The grades involved are beginner (Bun Grád), primary (Tús Grád), intermediate (Meán Grád), and open (Árd Grád).”
Goodwin’s enjoys performing in the heavy shoe dances, in particular the Hornpipe. “I love its swinging melody and rhythms.”
Preparing for any competition is stringent. “We train year-round,” Goodwin said. “Leading up to a major competition we will have three classes a week, and on three other days I will do cross training at home to work on strength and fitness.”
The school has started a BackaBuddy campaign to help with the group’s expenses to get to Dublin and plan to host various performances to help generate the funds.
“It is a dream to dance on the world’s stage,” Goodwin said of the forthcoming competition.
“It makes me proud to represent my country by competing against the world’s best and showing them how much Irish dancing has grown in South Africa.”
- To find out more and to support Goodwin and the Ramsay School dancers visit www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/irish-dancing-world-championships-2025.
