Foot And Mouth Disease Cancels Irish Dance Championships - World Irish Dance Championships, Ireland - Brief Article

Dance Magazine, July, 2001 by Darrah Carr

For many Irish dancers, this month's North American Nationals in Toronto may turn out to be the most significant event of the year. Normally, that distinction would go to the World Irish Dance Championships, which for the last three decades have been held in Ireland over Easter weekend. This year, however, the Worlds were cancelled due to fears that dancers and fans might inadvertently spread the foot and mouth disease that is ravaging England's cattle. (About 35 percent of the event's competitors travel to Ireland from other parts of the U.K.) And by the end of April, the Irish Dance Commission had decided that it would not be feasible to reschedule the event for later this year. Provisions were made to refund entry fees and to ensure that dancers who qualified for 2001 will be able to compete next year.

Nearly 3,000 competitors and some 10,000 of their supporters have had to deal with this bitterly disappointing, yet understandable, decision. Teachers canceled plane tickets and dancers shifted their focus to the next major event--the North American Nationals, slated for the July 4 weekend. Chairperson Mary Bryan expects a dramatic increase in the number of overseas competitors, explaining, "We've had numerous inquiries since the Worlds's cancellation and anticipate adding another stage and splitting competitions in order to accommodate the overflow."

Although the Nationals may turn into a mini-Worlds, the disappointment of Easter's cancellation is still heartfelt, particularly among Senior Champions. Twenty-four-year-old Kristin Butke, from the Akron branch of the O'Hare School, explains, "Because I performed with Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames for three years, I never competed in the Worlds's Senior Ladies category. It felt like unfinished business, so I came back this year with that as my goal. This was supposed to be my last hurrah." Nevertheless, Butke notes, "Health always comes first. Besides, it wouldn't be life if plans didn't change."