World Champion: Baylee O’Rourke wins CRDM Worlds

Tallaght Irish dancer, Baylee O’Rorke, won her first Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa (CRDM) World Championship, on April 12, at the Scientology Centre in Tallaght, reports Sihame Saady.

The young girl has all the makings of a champion, she has already had triumph in the Dublins, the Leinsters, the Ulsters, the Munsters and the all Ireland Championships.

Baylee was introduced to Irish dancing at the age of three through her older cousin Brooke, who was already dancing. Since that day, the young girl has only dreamed of one thing: learning Irish dancing.

Even her mother, Laura Davis, was so surprised: “We never thought that she would have a passion for Irish dance especially so young.”

She started her Irish dancing journey at the Foley academy of Irish dance, based in Walkinstown that is run by two sisters, Amy and Rachel Foley.

She competed for the first time at the age of four and has not stopped since. To improve her level, in the lead up to compeitions, the nine year old dancer usually trains from four to six hours a week with private lessons.

“Coming up to a competition I train three evenings a week in private lesson and sometimes my teachers will throw in an extra class,” explains Baylee.

The CRDM World Championship is organised by age category and the dancers are evaluated on several rounds.

“Because I’m at the highest level we dance two people at a time on stage. I dance three rounds and my last round I take the stage by myself,” explained Baylee.

Blue, white, pink, green, satin, velvet or lace, and most with sequins, the dancers’ outfits are as diverse as the number of participants.

“I just got a new dress for the worlds. It was made by John Carey design. I try and choose a dress colour that nobody has in my age category. This time I designed my whole dress by myself. I got angel wings on the back of my dress so now I know my angels are always dancing with me on stage,” Baylee said proudly.

In addition to school and Irish dancing, the young dancer plays for her school football team and swims one evening a week. She likes “to keep busy and active”.

For her future, she does not hide her ambitions; she would love to be in Riverdance and own her own dance school.

“One day I can be a dance teacher and have my own school.”

Baylee is training for the next big competition ‘the all Irelands’ her last ‘feis’ until autumn.

She can count on the support of her dance teacher, dance friends, all her family, close friends and especially her mom and dad who are her “biggest supporters”.