The Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance recently brought home four titles and 13 top ten spots at the New England Regional Irish Dance Championships, held in Hartford the weekend of November 17-19.

The "Oireachtas," as the annual competition is referred to, is a qualifying event for top Irish dancers in the region aiming to qualify for both the World Irish Dance Championships and the North American Irish Dance Championships the following year. The event also hosts traditional set dance championships, adult dance competitions, and team competitions.

This year the Oireachtas was held at the Hartford Marriott and Connecticut Convention Center. For Ashurst Academy, the event was a huge success.

On the opening days of events, the academy gained its first world qualifier - Cian Walls, age 11, of Woodbridge - as well its first championship titles with Newtown resident Deirdre Smith taking first in the U11 Traditional Set category and Cian's younger sister, Charlotte Walls, winning the U8 Traditional Set category.

Cian will represent Team Ashurst at the World Irish Dance Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, next March, as well as go on to compete at the North American Irish Dance Championships to be held in Orlando next July.

More champions were crowned throughout the weekend including Newtown resident Britta Petersen of Newtown, who took third place in the U11 Traditional Set category; Genevieve Mallon of Southbury, who won the Under 14 Traditional Set category; Justin Ciardello of Trumbull, who won the Under 15 Traditional Set category; and Colleen Mallon of Southbury and Olivia Ruggiero of Danbury, who also qualified for the North American Irish Dance Championships in their respective age groups.

The Ashurst Irish Dancers also brought home 13 top ten placements in solo, traditional, and team dancing events.

The Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance is run by Newtown residents and former Riverdance and Lord of the Dance lead dancers Craig and Christina Ashurst. Studios are located in Newtown and Danbury, and classes are available for ages 4 and up.

For more information, visit ashurstirishdance.com or contact the academy at ashurstirishdance@gmail.com or 203-928-0689.