'A dream come true' for Lord of the Dance star from County Derry

Having spent the last year travelling around the world on tour with Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance, County Derry woman and lead dancer Tiernagh Canning will perform on home soil later this month.

The 21 year-old dancing sensation landed a spot on the worldwide tour after auditioning in 2020.

Having sailed through her audition, the Feeny woman flew out to Taiwan and after working hard she was given the opportunity to perform as part of the main cast.

Last May, as proud family members and friends looked on, Tiernagh took to the stage in Belfast to perform the lead as 'Saoirse'.

A former pupil of St Colmcille's Primary School in Claudy and Derry's Thornhill College, Tiernagh took a year out of her university studies to take part in the tour.

Now back studying for a degree in Personalised Medicine at University of Ulster in between tours, Tiernagh is set to perform in Dublin in the coming weeks.

Although excited to watch her daughter perform so close to home, proud mum Fidelma is well used to seeing Tiernagh shine on the stage.

At six years of age, Tiernagh started dancing with the McCaul Academy.

Over the years she has won many Irish dance titles including Ulster, All Ireland, British, Great Britain and Irish nationals.

She has also won titles at All Scotland Championships and is currently number two in the world.

Speaking to the County Derry Post, Fidelma said: “Tiernagh applied to audition for Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance when they were advertising for extra dancers to go to Taiwan at the end of 2020. She worked hard and got to perform as part of the main cast. 

“Tiernagh took a year out of her university studies to travel around the world last year which was just a dream come true and she very quickly became one of their lead dancers. She is still pinching herself.

“We are very proud of her and think that a wee local girl from Feeny has done so well for herself.”

Fidelma said getting to see her daughter perform in Belfast last year was 'very special' for Tiernagh as lots of family and friends were there to cheer her on.

Now, with Lord of the Dance bound for Dublin on February 22 and running through to February 25, excited family and friends are once again looking forward to seeing Tiernagh perform as part of the 25th anniversary tour.

“Lord of the Dance came to Belfast last May which was very special for Tiernagh as there were loads of family and friends there to see her perform the lead as 'Saoirse',” continued Fidelma.

“Now they are coming back to Ireland in a couple of weeks to Dublin which is so exciting as Dublin just oozes Irish dance talent. Her family and friends are travelling to Dublin to watch the show and cannot wait,” she added.