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Two Newry women are leading the way in the dance world with the introduction of award ceremonies across the island of Ireland for the sector. Plans are also in progress for a Scotland award ceremony too.
Catherine Hughes and Danielle Hughes Quinn are Co-Founders of the Dance Awards N. Ireland and Ireland, initiatives that honour the professionals behind dancers, including teachers, studios, and parents.
They held their inaugural Dance Awards NI in the Culloden, Hollywood in October past "We had a complete sell out event, we actually had a waiting list of people who wanted to attend. It was brilliant. It brought everybody from across Northern Ireland together, the whole dance landscape in Northern Ireland." said Catherine.
Explaining the idea behind the Dance Awards Catherine said: "The dance awards are basically for everybody that's behind the dancers, all the professionals, dance teachers, dance studios, the competitions, the conventions, even the dance parents, people who are really involved in community engagement, and then the Lifetime Achievement Award as well. They're acknowledging the people behind the dancers and that's what these awards are about. Nothing like this has ever been done on the Island of Ireland."
While they don't really focus on the dancers 4 of the categories were designated for dancers. They were the under 9, under 13, under 17 and 18 and over categories for 'Dancer of the Year'.
Catherine and Danielle run Newry Dance Theatre Arts as well as Blackrock Dance Theatre Arts in County Louth. Catherine is also involved in the Ulster Fusion Dance Competition a Dance and Fitness competition for children and adults of all abilities. It's the largest competition of its type in Northern Ireland, with over 1500 competitors.
Explaining the reasoning behind the awards Catherine said: "From looking at all of this we thought it's the dancers that are getting all the recognition and nobody sees the people behind them, who get them there, the endless hours. People think you show up to a dance studio and you just teach but they don't see the hours of preparation, the unsung hours that you're doing at home, preparing all of this, all the admin, looking after your schedules, looking after your dancers, looking after wages. You're actually a small business. We really recognised that we would love to experience some sort of acknowledgement ,and from that came the concept the dance awards."
Plans are already in place to hold Dance Awards Ireland on 13 September 2025 at Castleknock Hotel, Dublin. Currently they are calling on all the counties to get involved and participate in what will be a vibrant celebration of artistry, dedication, and community spirit. It’s a unique opportunity for dancers, choreographers, studios, volunteers and organisations to unite and showcase their achievements on a national stage.
Award Categories will include
These awards aim to recognise the exceptional contributions of individuals and groups in the dance world, from technical skill and creativity to community impact and commitment to the art form. With categories designed to honour various aspects of dance, the Dance Awards Ireland promises to be an inspiring and unforgettable event for all involved.
Danielle and Catherine are particularly excited about the “County Dance School of the Year” award, a prestigious title that reflects outstanding dedication and impact within the community. In addition to the awards ceremony, attendees can look forward to an unforgettable evening that includes a pre-drinks reception, a gourmet three-course meal, and an inspiring programme of live entertainment featuring well-known Irish artists and international performers. This special gathering will not only honor the finest in dance across Ireland but also provide an evening of elegance, connection, and celebration, making it an unmissable event for dance professionals, enthusiasts, and supporters alike. Future plans also include their Dance Awards Scotland in October 2025.
The awards are not for profit and they have a charity partner called Tired Movement. "The reason that we picked Tired Movement is because it's all about promoting equality, inclusivity and diversity in dance" said Catherine.
Danielle and Catherine are very grateful for the generous support of their sponsors including: Associated Board of Dance, Capezio, Perform Festival, AcroPAD, CYD and R. Kings.
Check out their social media:
Dance Awards N. Ireland thedanceawardsni
Dance Awards Ireland dance_awards_ireland
