Forty-one students from the Maher School of Irish Dance (MSID), including 20 from the Blue Mountains, competed strongly at the NSW State Irish Dancing Championships at the Hurstville Entertainment Centre from August 22-24.
To be sure, the competition attracted 400 top-level dancers and MSID won five golds, two by Blue Mountains residents.
Alexandra Vujevic (11) from Blaxland and Isaac Bartlett (6) from Springwood won state titles as did Emu Plains sisters Maggie (15) and Caitlin (18) Devine and Kurrajong resident Tom Hughes (18).
Sixteen MSID students qualified to represent Australia at the 2015 World Irish Dancing Championships in Montreal, Canada.
Next month MSID students will travel to Canberra to represent NSW at the Irish Dancing National Championships.
"I am extremely proud of all our dancers, from beginner student to advanced level," MSID principal Maria Maher-Astley said.
"They demonstrate such dedication, commitment and passion for Irish dance and are a pleasure to teach.
"The school is in its 20th year and has produced two qualified teachers from student ranks and performed at the Sydney Opera House, Riverside Theatre, Sydney Town Hall and Sydney Convention Centre.
"Irish dance is graceful, rhythmic and full of vibrant energy, steeped in culture and history and we are so proud to be keeping the tradition of Irish dance alive in the Blue Mountains."
MSID is based in Penrith and Springwood Country Club hall.
For more information about the school, phone Maria on 0417 063 441.