GRACE Clancy from Parteen, County Clare, knows all about being run off her feet – although danced off her feet might be more apt.
Grace is 19 and has been dancing since she was just five years old.
Last month, her intense practice five days a week paid off when she took home the title of 5th overall in her age group in the World Irish Dancing Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.
Grace is the current Munster Champion, a title she has held for her age group since 2019 – with the exception of 2020, due to Covid restraints.
Grace told the Limerick Post that she surprised even herself at having taken such a prestigious place, dancing against talented performers from as far away as Australia all flocking to Glasgow for the event.
“I was so happy. I didn’t really expect to do so well because I took time out from competitive dancing last year to do my Leaving Cert, and when you’re dancing at competitive level it makes a difference if you take time out,” she said.
Grace has been dancing with the Flynn O’Kane Academy, based in Nenagh, County Tipperary, for the last eight years.
She is no stranger to success either, having come fifth in the U17 World Championships in 2022, fourth in the All-Scotland Championships in 2021, and having held her Munster Champion title from 2019 to 2023, as well as placing fourth in the fourth in the All-Irelands in 2020.
Currently studying nursing, Grace doesn’t believe in resting on her laurels and feels she will continue dancing for the foreseeable future.
“I like sport and physical activity. I play Gaelic football as well and I love the feeling that putting in the hard work pays off when you get up and perform”.
