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Kelsey McSweeney celebrates double victory at 2026 Diva Championships
Kelsey McSweeney celebrates double victory at 2026 Diva Championships. Pictures: Funky Foto Ltd
Talented young Limerick dancer, Kelsey McSweeney, is celebrating a double victory at the 2026 Diva Championships at Bridlington Spa, Leeds, UK
Kelsey McSweeney, a talented young dancer from County Limerick, is celebrating the incredible achievement of winning two titles at the prestigious Diva Championships in the UK.
Kelsey, dancing with the Eilish McCarthy School of Dance, achieved a remarkable double victory at the competition held at Bridlington Spa, Leeds, UK.
Despite moving into a new age bracket, which brought new challenges, the young dancer impressed judges with her skill and composure as she came out on top, competing against more than 90 dancers in her section.
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Her performance at the event saw her crowned both the Under 16 Intermediate winner and the Overall Intermediate Winner for the 2026 Diva Championships.
Held each February at Bridlington Spa in Leeds, the competition attracts around 1,000 competitors across all ages and grades, with participants travelling from countries including Norway and Ireland, as well as Scotland, England and Wales.
The large-scale event, which has a capacity of around 2,000 spectators, is considered one of the biggest freestyle disco dance competitions on the international calendar.
Eilish McCarthy, Kelsey’s teacher, said, “Kelsey is such a hard worker, and her dedication to her dancing is undeniable. As a school, this is the second year in a row we have won the overall title, and to see Kelsey take the title and see her reaction was such a proud moment for Kelsey, her teachers and the school.”
The Dance School teacher explained that preparing for the event was a commitment of 4 days of training per week. Kids will be dedicated to perfecting routines to the highest level, as this event is one of the largest Freestyle disco dance events on an international scale. Gerard O’Sullivan, Principal of Coláiste Chiaráin, praised Kelsey’s dedication.
He said, “From the school’s perspective, I am always delighted to see our students doing so well, especially in areas like this that help them build confidence and flourish. Kelsey has clearly found her talent, and she is absolutely shining on the dance floor, winning the Under 16 Intermediate category and also taking the Overall Intermediate title at the recent Diva 2026 UK dance competition, finishing top out of over 90 dancers.”
“As a school, we love celebrating our student talent, and in this case, it’s a real pleasure to celebrate Kelsey’s success with her. She’s a fantastic young student with a remarkable talent, and she’s done brilliantly. We’re all very proud of her, and absolutely delighted for her.”
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