Manx Trinity Academy of Irish Dance has returned from the 2026 Open Platform Irish Dance Federation UK Open Championships with nine UK titles.
The two‑day competition saw dancers from the Isle of Man place consistently in Beginner, Primary, Open and Prelim grades, with several first time achievements for the school.
Day one produced two Primary UK Champions with Darcie Rice winning the U9 Primary Championship and Alexa Ash winning the U13 Primary Championship.
Other Primary results included second place for Kitty (U7), seventh for Jess (U9), fifth for Jasmine (U10) and third for Rebecca (U15).
In the Beginner Championship, Kitty placed second in U7, Darcie second in U9, Jess fifth, Jasmine fourth in U10 and Rebecca fifth in U15. Lizzie placed eighth in the U2 First Reeler.
Dancing Champions
Team events added further success. Jasmine and Darcie won the Junior 2‑Hand title, while Aalish and Clodagh won the Senior 2‑Hand, followed by Emily and Alexa in second. Team A won the 4‑Hand UK title, and the academy also secured the 8‑Hand Ceili UK Championship.
The academy also recorded a first with Darcie and Alexa competing in the Grade Champion of Champions.
Day two brought another set of high placings, including a historic result for the school.
In the Modern Set competition, Emily placed second in U15, followed by Aalish in third, Clodagh fourth, Lex fifth and Aurelie fourth in U17.
The Open Championship saw Aalish Kilgallon named U13 Open UK Champion, with Emily finishing second. Clodagh placed third in U14 and Aurelie fourth in U17.
In the Prelim Championship, Aurelie Stevenson won the U17 Prelim UK title, with further podium finishes for Clodagh (second, U14) and Aalish (third, U14).
Aurelie went on to win the Champion of Champions, the first time an MTA dancer has taken the title.
