Flynn O’Kane Academy on top of the world!
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Abbie Mai Walshe (Coolderry), World Champion, 15-16 Girls, pictured with her dance teachers Damien O’Kane and Bernadette Flynn.Image 2 of 8
Bernadette and Damien pictured with their World Champions, Mixed Céilí, 11-13.Image 3 of 8
David Nealon (Newtown), Emma Phelan (Roscrea), Jane Boland (Nenagh) and Scott Ryan (Newport). Scott Ryan (Newport)Image 4 of 8
David Nealon (Newtown), second place, Boys 15-16, with Damien and Bernadette.Image 5 of 8
Cathal Doughan (Moneygall), third place, 19-20 Men, pictured with Damien O’Kane and Bernadette Flynn.Image 6 of 8
Keelan Chute (Borrisoleigh), third place, 11-12 Boys.Image 7 of 8
Damien and Bernadette pictured with Scott Ryan (Newport), fifth place, 13-14 Boys.Image 8 of 8
Flynn O’Kane Academy Worlds Squad 2022.On April 10 the 50th anniversary of the World Irish Dance Championships began in Belfast at the Waterfront Hall.
After three long years, 6,000 competitors from all over the world travelled to take part in the prestigious week-long event.
Flynn O’Kane Academy, directed by ‘Lord of the Dance’ stars Bernadette Flynn and Damien O’Kane, returned to Nenagh with record successes. Four World Champion titles, 12 Top Five World Globes and 50 world medals. It was a whirlwind of staggering success, as they were the only school to return with 12 Globes, now ranking their academy as the top school in the world.
Such phenomenal achievements for Flynn O’Kane dancers and Bernadette and Damien, who have trained continuously and achieved post-pandemic.
The week was kicked off when 10-year old Kate Phelan from Castletroy was crowned the 10-11 Girls World Champion. Three days later, Abbie Mai Walshe from Coolderry was crowned the 15-16 Girls World Champion. Dreams really did come true for these two young ladies! Bernadette herself is a six-time World Champion, so the pride of watching her own students win the same title is momentous.
Two more World titles were also won! The 11-13 eight-hand Céilí team were crowned World Champions, their fourth consecutive World title, as were the 13-16 four-hand. Other globe holders include local boys David Nealon (Newtown), second place, 15-16 Boys; Cathal Doughan (Moneygall), third place, 20-21 Men, and Keelan Chute (Borrisoleigh) third place, 11-12 Boys.
Grace Clancy was fifth place, 16-17 Girls; Aoibhe Twomey, fifth place, 15-16 Girls; Rachel Cummins, fourth place, 21-23 Ladies; Fionn O’Sullivan McCarthy, fifth place, 16-17 Boys; Scott Ryan, fifth place, 13-14 Boys; Aoibhinn Kenneally took 10th place, Ladies 18-19, and Luci Pardy, ninth place, Girls 11-12.
Their students travel from all over Munster, Leinster and Connacht to train at Flynn O’Kane Academy here in Nenagh. The talent coming from this local dance school is so exciting to watch.
Recently, Globe holder Cathal Doughan completed a five-week tour in Taiwan with Lord of the Dance, following in Bernadette and Damien’s footsteps - they toured with Michael Flatley as principal dancers in the hit show. The local school has continued to go from strength to strength. Just last September they launched a new unique preschool program called ‘Jump 'n' Jig’ for 2 - 4 years, which has proved to be extremely popular in the Nenagh area. The future is definitely bright, and here’s to many more years of success!