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A Newry production company has created a major new three-part documentary series for Sky Arts that takes viewers behind the scenes of the competitive world of contemporary Irish dancing.
Big Mountain Productions Battle Of The Irish Dancers follows dedicated dancers and their teachers from three schools in Dublin, Birmingham and Newcastle upon Tyne as they train for the World Championships in Dublin in April 2025. The series shines a light on an art form that demands the strength, endurance and agility of an Olympian.
At the Scanlon School in Birmingham, which has a legacy of World Champions, dancer Lauren dreams of qualifying after a decade of dancing. The school also has a fresh new start with young, ambitious dancers keen to compete at their first World Championships in a Céilí team.
The Niall Holly Academy in Dublin features dancer Owen, a two-time World Champion on the brink of retirement from the competitive world. It's his last chance to fight for a title and he's prepared to give it everything. Owen's classmate Ella is also embarking on her biggest year yet after a surprise placing near the top last year, trying to go one better with a place on the podium.
At the Kelly Hendry School in Newcastle, champion dancers and best friends Saoirse and Maria hold each other's hands as they aim to dance together, compete and support each other, taking in the highly competitive All-Ireland Championships along the way.
Between mastering complex choreography and hours of rehearsing, the battle to stay fit and injury-free looms over every dancer. Beyond studio and stage, Battle of the Irish Dancers is a story of family and friendship, tradition and team spirit, and a deep shared passion for a beloved traditional dance form.
The series begins on Wednesday 12 November on Sky Arts, Freeview channel 36, and streaming service NOW at 9pm.
