Laois Irish dancer looking for sponsorship ahead of World Championships

LAURYN Coogan, 17, an Irish dancer, from Arles, Co Laois, placed within the top five constants at this year’s CRLG Irish Dancing Leinster championships on 7 November.

This means that she automatically qualifies for next year’s Irish Dancing World Championships in Chicago. She is the only representative from County Laois who will be attending the World Championships next year.

Ms Coogan began Irish Dancing when she was six. She is a two times Leinster Champion who placed fourth in the Irish Nationals and was ranked 13th in the World Championships in Montreal in 2023.

Ms Coogan’s mother, Michelle Coogan, is seeking sponsors so that Ms Coogan can attend next year’s competition. Michelle Coogan said: “Lauren’s dress for the competition costs nearly €3,500 and that’s just her dress.” Each competition Ms Coogan enters has an entry fee as well as the cost of travel, accommodation and the Ms Coogan’s weekly lessons. When Ms Coogan attended the World Championships in Montreal in 2023 some local businesses donated, and Michelle Coogan promoted those businesses on social media and Ms Coogan wore a hoodie which named her sponsors.