Hollywood bowled over by our young performers
Thursday July 23 2009
Dublin airport was awash with colour when the 85 members of Ireland's 2009 Performing Arts team arrived home.
The group -- including young Fair City stars -- represented Ireland in the World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood.
The team, aged from five to 33, were met on their return with rapturous applause from parents, family and friends after scooping numerous scholarships, trophies, medals and awards at the contest.
In their midst were three talented child stars, who appear in hit RTE soap Fair City -- Niamh Quirke (12) from Tallaght, Susie Power (5), from Clondalkin, and Meagan Keogh (16), also from Clondalkin.
Niamh proved particularly popular, receiving two overall awards for Best Actress in the junior age category, five medals and an Industry Award medal for excellence.
Modest
Susie, the youngest competitor from Ireland, won eight medals for vocal, drama and dance competitions.
Her mum Maureen V Ward, head of the Talented Kids agency, was named Best National Director for her leadership of the group.
Modest Maureen played down her own win, saying she was unbelievably proud of the whole group.
"For such a small population, we conquered the world with our Irish talent," she said.
Maureen said that Lorna Dempsey (22) was set for stardom after being signed by Leaf Record Company as part of a new girl band.
Lucky Seana Kerslake (18) was also celebrating, after being awarded the top drama prize of a $10,000 (f7,000) scholarship to the New York Conservatory of Drama.
lnolan@herald.ie
- Lorna Nolan
