Laois school principal graduates as Irish dancing adjudicator

Bríd-Ann Buggie from Stradbally at her graduation as a judge with An Chómhdail.

placeholder image — Bríd-Ann Buggie from Stradbally at her graduation as a judge with An Chómhdail.

A Laois school principal who also runs an Irish dancing school has graduated as an international Irish dancing adjudicator.

Bríd-Ann Buggie who is principal of Maryborough National School in Portlaoise, is also the co-owner of the Buggie School of Irish Dancing along with her sister Gráinne.

It was a glamorous and special night for her recently at the AGM of An Chomhdáil when she accepted her Ard Diploma Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha (ADCRG), as a certified dance adjudicator.

Bríd-Ann was accompanied by her family on the night, including sister Gráinne, fiancé Eddie Whelan and parents James and Bernadette Buggie.

She told the Leinster Express / Laois Live more.

"It is a massive honour because the exam is to such a high standard. It took two years of preparation. The exam takes 18 months and included my own dancing performances, maths and written exams and being judged while judging at a reenacted dance feis. For me it means that I can now adjudicate at feiseanna across Ireland and the US. I am following in my sister Gráinne's shoes, she qualified four years ago," she said.

She has been dancing since she was three.

"Gabriel Lynam was my teacher. I toured with Rhythm of the Dance aged 19, travelling the world for a year," she said.