A LONDON Irishman was among those honoured for their contribution to Irish dancing at this year's World Irish Dance Championships in Ireland.
Chris Skehill received a Gradam Award at this year's competition, which was held in Dublin last week.
Considered the Olympics of Irish dance, Galway man Chris Skehill was among 14 people, from across Ireland, Britain and the US, who were honoured for their passion for the art form.
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Over 5,000 dancers competed in the World Irish Dance Championships Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ieOriginally from a small village near Tuam, Mr Skehill is a former All-Ireland champion himself and also came second in the first ever World Dancing Championships.
This year's Championships were a family affair for the West of Ireland man, with his granddaughter Scarlett taking forth place in the U12s.
His son Mark - a former Lord of the Dance performer - also runs Celtic Hearts Irish Dance school with wife Martina in Hertfordshire.
Ready to take to the stage World Irish Dancing Championships Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ieThis year's World Irish Dance Championshsips saw more than 5,000 compete in solo, céilí, figure-choreography and dance drama categories across a variety of age groups.
Aged eight to 30 and even a little older, dancers and more than 25,000 spectators travelled from more than 20 countries worldwide, including England, France, Russia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Australia, Canada and the US.
Isabel Ryan from Co. Limerick, 11, at the World Irish Dancing finals in Dublin. (Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie)Also among those honoured at this year's event was Áine and Séamas Ó Sé who celebrated a life-time of teaching Irish dancing in Dublin and beyond.
Many of their dancers from Scoil Rince Uí Shé featured in the original performance of Riverdance in 1994.
