For anyone who has even driven or walked through Walpole Center, it is hard not to look inside the Harney Academy of Irish Dance to watch all the hardworking dancers perfecting their every step. The studio is filled with many eager and talented kids of all ages, and recently the Harney Academy was recognized at the World Irish Dancing Championship on March 31st. The World Irish Dancing Championships came to the Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center in Boston from March 24-31 — only the second time that this international competition has been held outside Ireland or Scotland (It was also in Philadelphia in 2009). Thirty-four countries (including Ireland, Scotland, England, New Zealand, Canada, Australia and the United States) competed in individual and team competitions for Globes — trophies shaped with a globe on top to symbolize the global scope of the competition.
The Harney Academy of Irish Dancing, located in downtown Walpole, was founded in 1990 by Mr. Liam Harney, a two-time World Champion himself and now a respected teacher. This year, Mr. Harney sent about 80 dancers — 19 dancers who performed as individuals and 10 teams comprised of 8 — ranging in ages from 8 to 22. While some dancers drive over an hour to train at this prestigious academy, three of these dancers attend Walpole High School: senior Connor McCarthy, junior Courtney Crawford, and freshman Allison Crawford. Because of their success, all three are now World Champions.
To qualify for Worlds is no easy task on its own — each dancer and each team must first compete on the Regional level before moving up to Worlds. Over two dozen dancers from Harney Academy placed first in the New England rounds, and they qualified over 80 members. At Worlds, the Harney Academy won 8 globes (7 for team dances and 1 for an individual performance) — 5 first place, 2 second place, and 1 for a solo performance. This competition is the biggest Irish Step event in the world and many of the most profound Irish steppers go off to dance professionally after taking part in this highly-ranked competition.
Connor said, “”[World Championships] is the Olympics of Irish Dance.”
A part of one of the many victorious groups of Harney competitors, Connor has proven himself as a Renaissance man as an elite hurdler in Massachusetts and now as a World Champion for Irish Step.
Connor competed in the Senior Mixed Ceili (with ages being 16+) and took home First Place for his group routine. In the past, Connor has won Regionals, American Nationals, and Irish Nationals all before, but he had never before won the World Championship. He said, “It feels great to finally be a world champ!”
The Crawford sisters — freshman Allison and junior Courtney — were another two of the multiple victorious Harney participants in the successful competition. The duo were both on the Girls Ceili 16-19 team that recieved a First Place Globe. Courtney said, “My team was sitting alone in the auditorium when we found out and we all immediately started crying and hugging… we had been training so hard for so long and as much as we wanted to we never really expected to win especially in a competition with all the top teams.”
Allison was also awarded Second Place for her Girls Ceili Under 16 dance. The sisters enjoyed dancing together onstage, but also enjoyed the friendly sibling competion. Allison said, “We are very competitive with each other but we also help each other a lot. I want her to do well and we motivate each other.”
The only solo winner was junior Melissa McCarthy from King Philip Regional High School. A resident of Norfolk, Melissa has been taking Irish Step since she was only 4 years old. She takes three solo classes and two team practices every week. Although McCarthy won First Place in the 17-and-under award for her solo dance in Belfast last year, Melissa got third place this year for her U17 solo routine during Worlds. Dancing now for 12 years, the Irish step prodigy has truly found a passion in dance and a love for her Harney family. She said, “I love all the friends I have made there and I am so fortunate to have amazing and supportive coaches. It’s just something I love to do.”
Melissa added, “Knowing that all your hard work and dedication paid off is an amazing feeling!”
In addition to the Globes listed above, the Harney Academy of Irish Dance also received First Place Globes for their Mixed Ceili U11, Mixed Ceili U13, and Girls Ceili U13 teams. Also, they recieved another Second Place Globe for the Girls Ceili U13 team.
From July 3-7, the Harney Academy will represent itself again in San Diego at the National Championships. While the Harney Academy may look like a small, simple dance studio in the center of a small town, their international success has brought worldwide fame to Walpole.
