Three teenagers from Oxford have earned their spots at the global finals of their dance discipline.

The trio, aged 11, 14 and 15, will travel to Chicago to take part in the 2026 CLRG World Irish Dance Championships on March 29 after achieving top-10 results at the Southern Region Oireachtas competition.

They claimed positions of sixth, fourth and eighth across their individual categories, with all three studying at the Marion Flanagan School of Irish Dance.

According to Marion Flanagan, who established the school, the achievements of the three performers represent an incredible source of pride.

Securing qualification for the global championships constitutes a remarkable accomplishment in its own right, but having three dancers simultaneously reach that standard within a single year represents something particularly noteworthy.

The competitors have demonstrated not only impressive skill but also genuine resolve and dedication.

Performances delivered throughout the Oxford community during the St Patrick’s Day festivities contributed towards financing the journey.

The dancers have devoted considerable effort both during practice sessions and within their local community, with the encouragement received during the St Patrick’s weekend period proving especially meaningful to the performers and their families.

Since their qualification was confirmed in November, the young dancers have managed to combine their academic responsibilities with a demanding rehearsal programme.

The championships will involve several stages of competition judged by an international panel, testing technical excellence, physical endurance and performance quality.

The CLRG World Irish Dance Championships rank among the foremost competitions in the discipline, attracting thousands of participants from nations worldwide.