Schoolgirl Emily (9) is Irish dancing champ

Schoolgirl Emily (9) is Irish dancing champ

18 June 2025

A CROSSGAR schoolgirl is an Irish dancing champion.

Nine-year-old Emily Marner was named the Under-9 champion at the 2025 Irish National Championships held in Killarney recently.

Emily’s remarkable success follows an outstanding year on the competitive Irish dancing circuit – she was also crowned Great Britain champion in London and Ulster champion in Dundalk.

A dedicated performer, Emily trains up to five times a week with the Claddagh Academy based in Carryduff. She is a pupil at Millennium Integrated Primary School.

Emily, who has been dancing since she was three years old, woman her first Irish title at the age of five.

A spokesperson for the Claddagh Academy said: “A massive congratulations to Emily on winning an amazing U-9 competition at the 2025 Irish National Championships. 

“We are so proud of how hard you have worked and are delighted that all of the hard work paid off.”