Sunday January 31st:

• Elaine Kavanagh-Cullen ADCRG Dublin
• Ciara Lennon ADCRG Dundalk
• Dearbhla Lennon ADCRG Dundalk
• Jim Murrihy ADCRG Dundalk
  
  Jim Murrihy, originally from Boston Massachusetts, has been dancing for over 30 years starting at just 3 years old.  Jim danced with the Smith Houlihan School of Irish Dancing in Boston.  His parents from County Galway and County Clare instilled in him the love for Irish music and dance at a very early age. During his competitive career he has won 15 regional titles and numerous 1st place national solo/team titles. His awards include two 1st place world team titles and his highest solo ranking was 3rd place in the 1990 World Dance Championships. In the same year Jim was the 2nd Irish dancer in North America to be awarded a scholarship from the National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts, in the category of Dance, competing against some of the best up and coming ballet and jazz dancers in the Nation.
  
  In 1995, Jim joined Michael Flatleys Lord of the Dance as an original cast member. It was Jim’s greatest pleasure to be associated with such a great production and cast, and one which has changed his life forever. Jim toured Europe, Australia and North America with Lord of the Dance playing to sold out arenas. From 1998 onwards Jim performed the lead role (“The Lord”) in the new troop of Lord of the Dance resident at the New York New York Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada. Jim performed live on the Las Vegas strip for 3 years until he left the show in 2001. During his career he also appeared in numerous National and International television shows and has toured with several major Irish bands.
  
  Jim graduated with a college degree in Accounting and Computer Science. Jim has worked with Deloittes for several years and is now currently head of Fund Accounting at Daiwa Securities. He passed his TCRG exam in 2001 and his ADCRG exam in 2008. Jim is currently living in Dundalk Ireland with his wife Clare and they are expecting their first child in May.
  
  Jim is extremely pleased to be asked to adjudicate the competition this year and he wishes all dancers the best of luck.

Saturday March 13th and Sunday March 14th:

• Grainne Feely ADCRG Kildare
  
• Jonathan McMorrow ADCRG Manchester
  
  Jonathan was born in Sligo and danced for the Aodh Rua school of Irish Dancing.
  Under the instruction of the very talented Anne Kerr, Jonathan competed all over the world and won championships and medals at all major Oireachtaísí including the World and All Ireland Championships.
  
  At the age of 17 he joined Riverdance led then by Jean Butler and Colin Dunne for their first tour of the United States.
  
  He toured worldwide with Riverdance for 5 years and performed on TV shows in the US, Australia and Europe including the Grammy Awards and David Letterman. Jonathan was an original dancer in Riverdance on Broadway and resided in New York for 18 months.
  
  Following the end of the Broadway run he moved to Manchester to study at Manchester University.
  
  He graduated with a first in Accounting and Computer Science and subsequently qualified as a chartered accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers. He passed his TCRG exam in 2006 and his ADCRG exam in 2008.
  
  Jonathan and his wife Claire teach with the renowned Lally School in Manchester. They have two wonderful children Sheenagh and Cillian and in real life Jonathan is the Managing Director of a sports corporate finance company.
  
  He is delighted to be judging the City of Dublin Championships and would like to wish everyone the best of luck for a very successful weekend.
• Kelley O'Boyle-McGovern ADCRG London
• Claire Usher-McMorrow ADCRG Manchester
  
  Claire is the youngest of 9 children and comes from a family steeped in Irish music and dancing.
  
  Born and raised in Manchester Claire learned her first steps from her well known and respected aunts Eileen, Pat and the late Kathleen Lally. She excelled at dancing from a very young age and qualified for her first World Championships at the age of 8. Throughout her competitive career Claire won numerous North West Regional titles, regularly placed in the top 3 at the Great Britain’s and British Nationals and in the top 10 at the All Ireland and World Championships. At the age of 20 Claire joined the first US tour of Riverdance and performed with the show worldwide for 5 years.
  
  She made a brief return to competition to win another North West Oireachtas before rejoining the tour and finishing her Riverdance days on Broadway. On her return to Manchester Claire completed her degree in dance and drama and subsequently qualified as a Primary School Teacher.
  
  Having spent many years helping out at the Lally school, Claire took her TCRG exam in 2006 and together with her husband Jonathan successfully passed her ADCRG exam in 2008 at their first attempt.
  
  Claire is very proud to be part of such a wonderful teaching team at the Lally School. She is now taking a break from the classroom and enjoying looking after 2 beautiful children.
  
  Claire would like to thank the organisers for inviting her to judge this prestigious event and wishes the City of Dublin Championships every success.