Two talented teenagers from the same Newcastle school are travelling to Canada to compete in the world’s largest elite level Irish dance competition.

Isabella Zibe, 14, and Annabelle Clark, 15, both from Gosforth, have trained at least five times a week in preparation for the CLRG World Irish Dancing Championships, being hosted in Montréal from Sunday April 2 until April 9.

The pair, who juggle their intense training schedule with their schoolwork at Dame Allan’s Schools, in Fenham, will join more than 2,500 Irish dancers from 23 nations at the 51st annual event. The girls are no strangers to what is described as the ‘Olympics of Irish dancing’, having both competed at the world championships on several occasions.

Isabella, who joined the Kelly Hendry School of Irish Dance, in Blaydon, at the age of three, has danced in county, national and international competitions since a young age. She has won solo titles in her age group at the All Scotland Championships and the Great British Championships, as well as several team dance titles.

This will be Isabella’s second world championships as a solo dancer and her seventh as a team dancer. She hopes to achieve a top ten placing in her age group in her solo competition, which will see her dance for two days in both soft and heavy shoes.

“ I love the performing aspect of the shows and competitions and I particularly love dancing to the rhythm and music,” said Isabella, a Year 9 pupil at Dame Allan’s Girls’ School. “Irish dancing keeps me fit and healthy, and I love sharing the great experiences and memories with those I have met through classes and competitions.”

Isabella will dance together with Annabelle in the team – or céilí – traditional Irish step competitions at the prestigious event, which is staged by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha (the Commission of Irish Dancing), the oldest and largest governing body of Irish dancing worldwide. The girls danced together in the winning céilí team at the world championships in Dublin, in 2017, and hope to achieve a high placing next week in Montréal.

Annabelle, who started Irish dancing at the age of six, has competed in five previous world championships, as well as the All Scotland, British Nationals and Great British Championships.  She trains at the same dance school as Isabella, which was founded by former world champion Kelly Hendry, one of the North East’s most celebrated Irish dancers who was lead dancer in Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance.

In Montréal, Annabelle will compete in the u16 and the u19 team competitions, dancing in groups of eight girls.

“I’ve decided not to compete as a soloist this year as I’m focusing on my GCSEs,” said Annabelle, who is in Year 11 at Dame Allan’s Girls’ School. “Although I do love solos, I actually prefer teams; there’s nothing better than sharing the excitement and pride you feel when competing with your teammates.”

At school, both girls perform in the Ceilidh, organised by parents’ association DASPA. Isabella is also part of the Year 9 Dance Club and a member of the school’s Jeune dance company.

Will Scott, Principal of Dame Allan’s Schools, said: “Annabelle and Isabella are talented, passionate Irish dancers who have dedicated years of practice to achieve such a high level of skill, and they both balanced that with their school life at Dame Allan’s exceptionally well. We wish them the best of luck in Montréal and look forward to hearing about their experience.”