A 20-year-old Crettyard-based world champion Irish dancer was honoured at a civic reception hosted by Laois County Council on Thursday last.
Ronan Brennan is originally from the UK, but has been living in Crettyard for the last 16 years.
He is currently a full-time student at SETU Carlow, studying bioscience with biopharmaceuticals.
“I started dancing at the age of three, dancing under the same school I dance with now, Scoil Rince Flood Brennan, my teachers being my nana, Anne Flood Brennan, and my mum, Geraldine Brennan,” Ronan said.
“As far as I can recall, I have always danced. In the early stages of my dancing journey, I tried various sports such as hurling, football and even athletics at some point. However, my heart was with dancing,” he recalled.
Through hard work and dedication, he started being placed in competitions, improving those placings as he went along.
Over the years he won numerous competitions including three consecutive world titles, two All-Ireland titles, three Leinster titles and two British national titles, an Ulster and a Munster title.
“The highlight of my career so far was in 2022 when I won my second world title with a maximum score of 500 points, as it made me feel like the hard work throughout lockdown was worth it,” Ronan said.
Irish dancing has brought him throughout the island and to the UK for competitions over the years.
He had company in the form of his older brother, Ciaran, who used to compete alongside him for a few years.
“We were dubbed the Brennan brothers at any competition we would compete in.
“Ciaran who was placed higher than me in some competitions, doesn’t compete anymore but he plays the dancing music at competitions,” Ronan said.
It’s quite the family affair. “My mum, Geraldine, was taught by her mum who opened Scoil Rince Flood Brennan in the UK 60 years ago, 22 of those years teaching in Laois.
“My mum, who has been teaching for 27 years, continued teaching in England before moving to Ireland to teach with my nana.”
While the world of Irish dancing has come under the spotlight in recent times, Ronan said he is not affiliated with the organisation that was involved in the controversy. “However, I do sympathise with the dancers that it has affected,” he remarked.
Another talking point has been the fake tans and wigs of the female Irish dancers.
“The lads aren’t required to put in the same effort with their appearance, so long as it’s modest and meets the criteria set out by the organisation. Some lads do wear simple makeup but not to the same degree as the girls,” Ronan said.
“What I enjoy most about Irish dancing is honestly the journey of constantly improving as a dancer, as well as the friendships that are made along the way,” he said.
“I’m still in awe at the fact that the County Council has seen fit to present me with an award as prestigious as this. It truly means more than words can describe.
“I’m just a regular person who simply refused to give up on something I believed I could achieve.”
Ronan is currently training hard to defend the prestigious world title for another year before pursuing his TCRG qualification in Irish dancing, to become a teacher of Irish dancing, proudly joining his nana and mum.
Check out some great Michael Scully pictures from the event through this article and below:
Civic Reception for Ronan Brennan: Irish Dancing World Champion – Ronan accepts a framed Certificate from Clr. Paschal Mc Evoy ( Cathaoirleach) with family members. Photo: Michael Scully
Civic Reception for Ronan Brennan: Irish Dancing World Champion – Ronan speaking at the reception watched by Richenda Ward D’Arcy ( Chairperson Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa ). Photo: Michael Scully
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