Cashel Dennehy Irish Dancers compete at the World Championships

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Over 6000 Irish Dancers from 400 schools in five continents competed at the 39th annual World Championships of Irish Dance over Easter week in Philadelphia. It is historically held in Ireland or the United Kingdom. This was the first time that the competition was held on North American soil. Champion dancers who had qualified by placing in the top 15 at their regional Championships won the honor of representing their region at the World Championships.

The following Cashel Dancers competed as soloists at worlds: Dan Medora, Shorewood; Mickey Mahar, Milwaukee; Alyssa and Colette Harling, Gray’s Lake IL; Avery Emerson, Cedarburg; Bridget MacKenzie, Wauwatosa; Natalie Rondinelli, Whitefish Bay; Gabi Caron Schuler, Wauwatosa and Kjersten Pederson; Wauwatosa. Both Colette and Gabi received recall medals, which is an incredible achievement at this level of competition. Colette placed 29th overall, and Gabi placed 38th overall.

Cashel Dennehy sent five Ceili teams who had placed in the top three or above at the Midwest Regional Championships. All teams received first round recalls, and 4 out of the 5 teams placed in the top 10 at the World Championship competition.

The U13 mixed team took 2nd place and received one of the perpetual trophies awarded to the top three Ceili teams in each competition. Members include John McCarthy, Brookfield; Michael Wall, Wauwatosa; Ian Doherty, Glendale; Suzanne O’Meara, Madison; Gabby Procopis, Wauwatosa; Sarah Jablonowski, Glendale; Emma Runnoe, Milwaukee and Raphael Hallerman, Fox Point.

The U13 girl’s team took 5th place out of 92 registered teams, and was the top placing team from the Midwest region. Team members include: Colette Harling, Gray’s Lake IL; Finola Hughes, Brookfield; Carly Reynolds, Brown Deer; Paige Bonner, Wauwatosa; Molly Cowen, Mequon; teacher Laura Gottschlich,Shorewood; Delaney O’Neill, Shorewood; teacher Kate Habel, Kenosha; Kjersten Pederson, Wauwatosa; teacher Maura Heck, Wauwatosa; and Katie Powers of Franklin

The U16 mixed team took 8th place in their competition. Members include: Roberta Donaldson, Bayside; Allison Wall, Wauwatosa; Kelsey Jashinsky, Milwaukee; Claire Rolfes, Whitefish Bay; Joe Medora, Shorewood; Riley Runnoe, Milwaukee; Cullen Billhartz, Fox Point and Brian Pederson, Wauwatosa.

The U16 Girls (including big sisters Alex Bryant and Marisa Rondinelli) took 10th out of 99 registered teams. Members include Natalie Rondinelli, Whitefish Bay; Kate Abbott, Fort Atkinson; Gabi Caron Schuler Wauwatosa; Kayla Jashinsky, Milwaukee; teacher assistant Alex Bryant, Wauwatosa; Mary Beth Jablonowski, Glendale; Mackenzie Bryant, Wauwatosa; Lauren Sayles, Wauwatosa; Jessica Gibson Wauwatosa, and teacher assistant Marissa Rondinelli.

The Senior Ladies team received a first round recall medal. Pictured from bottom left are Alyssa Harling, Grays Lake; Marisa Rondinelli, Whitefish Bay; Natalie Rondinelli, Whitefish Bay; Brynn Geraghty, Whitefish Bay. From top left; Avery Emerson, Cedarburg; Alex Bryant, Wauwatosa; Julie Masterson, Brookfield and Nicolette Mayer, Milwaukee.

Cashel Dennehy is one of the oldest Irish Dance schools in Wisconsin and celebrated its 25th anniversary this past year. They will hold an open House at their Wauwatosa location at 92nd and Center on Saturday May 9th from 2-4pm. For more information call Shelly Quinn at 414-762-0475.