Kildare dance team takes on the world
Stage Academy Newbridge have qualified to represent Ireland in the World Hip Hop Championships in Phoenix, Arizona 2026
Photo caption (Left to right: Back row: Sinéad Mahoney, Bree-Louise Hughes, Caoimhe Gately, Chloe Pearson, Lucy Pearson, Tanya Gallagher, Jodie Fleming.
4th row: Isabelle Culleton, Ava Hogan, Alex Donelley, Shauna Walsh (choreographer), Emily Dunne, Hayley Hanniffy, Kaila Dunne.
3rd row: Faith Potts, Sophie Regan, Ciara Regan, Cormac Smith, Abby Lyons, Grace Lally, Layla Keogh, Sarah Freeman.
2nd row: Hannah Reilly, Grace Hedderman, Eimilia Kruszelnicka, Mia Manning, Caitlin O’Brien, Ali McGrath, Lily Dowling, Siena Ryan, Lily Harvey.
1st row: Lily Lyons, Rachel Reilly, Emily Hedderman, Elsie Harvey, Alfie Conway, Aoibhe Coleman, Sonia Ochen, Robyn Donelley.
In front: Emma Rooney.
A Newbridge, Co Kildare dance team, having competed in a major dance championships recently, have earned their place on Team Ireland and will now represent the country in the World Hip Hop Championships.
Stage Academy Newbridge competed in the Hip Hop Ireland Championships in Castlebar, Mayo last weekend.
In total, six dance crews from the Newbridge outfit - a total of 39 students - travelled to Castlebar to compete at a national level.
All 39 students qualified to represent Ireland in the World Hip Hop Championships in Phoenix, Arizona 2026.
Stage Academy Newbridge's Adult crew, ‘Core Collective’ - consisting of the school’s OG members - placed 2nd right behind Ireland’s defending champions.
Three of their Varsity crews placed 2nd (Rebel Rhythm) 3rd (Banging Beats) & 4th (No Sympathy)
Their Junior crew came 3rd & their Mega Crew placed 3rd which is made up of all crews together.
The youngest member of Stage Academy Newbridge is nine years old, right up to the eldest member, who is 26 years old.
Stage Academy Newbridge are delighted to have earned their place on Team Ireland and to fly the flag high for our country.
Their hard work and dedication is a credit to their choreographer Shauna Walsh who created and trained all crews leading up to the competition in Castlebar.
A special thank you goes to the team's Director, Brenda Malone Gilroy on making this opportunity possible.