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A dancer warms up backstage before performing during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. The April 9-16 event draws some 5,000 performers from Ireland and overseas, including from both the Irish diaspora in places like the United States and Australia as well as less likely countries such as Russia and Japan. Contestants range in age from eight to 30, according to the organisers. Excitement was palpable backstage on Tuesday as performers warmed up for the championships' categories including the traditional solo step dances, figure choreography team dancing, dance drama that tells a story and ceili, a kind of Celtic square dance. For many of the young female dancers, the day began with a 45-minute long make-up session to ensure their colourful dresses, curled wigs and rhinestone tiaras sat just right. In the course of the week, some 25,000 spectators are expected at the event, cheering on the competitors. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

A dancer warms up backstage before performing during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. The April 9-16 event draws some 5,000 performers from Ireland and overseas, including from both the Irish diaspora in places like the United States and Australia as well as less likely countries such as Russia and Japan. Contestants range in age from eight to 30, according to the organisers. Excitement was palpable backstage on Tuesday as performers warmed up for the championships' categories including the traditional solo step dances, figure choreography team dancing, dance drama that tells a story and ceili, a kind of Celtic square dance. For many of the young female dancers, the day began with a 45-minute long make-up session to ensure their colourful dresses, curled wigs and rhinestone tiaras sat just right. In the course of the week, some 25,000 spectators are expected at the event, cheering on the competitors. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



A dancer after having fake tan applied to her legs waits for it to dry before performing during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

A dancer after having fake tan applied to her legs waits for it to dry before performing during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



Dancers warm up before performing during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

Dancers warm up before performing during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



A dancer performs onstage during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

A dancer performs onstage during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



Dancers warm up backstage before performing during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

Dancers warm up backstage before performing during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



Aibhin Kenneally aged 13 from the Flynn-O'Kane dance group warms up backstage before performing during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

Aibhin Kenneally aged 13 from the Flynn-O'Kane dance group warms up backstage before performing during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



Solo dancers queue up to perform on stage during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

Solo dancers queue up to perform on stage during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



A dancer performs before a judging panel during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

A dancer performs before a judging panel during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



Dancers wait backstage before performing during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

Dancers wait backstage before performing during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



Dancers warm up before performing during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

Dancers warm up before performing during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



Emelie Wong aged 11 of the Turley Duggan dance school from Birmingham gets ready before competing at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

Emelie Wong aged 11 of the Turley Duggan dance school from Birmingham gets ready before competing at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



A dancer performs on stage during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

A dancer performs on stage during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



Competitors leave the stage in the under 13's category after competing at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

Competitors leave the stage in the under 13's category after competing at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



A dance group have a team meeting before performing on stage in the under 13's category during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

A dance group have a team meeting before performing on stage in the under 13's category during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



Dancers wait backstage before performing during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

Dancers wait backstage before performing during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



A competitor warms up before competing at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

A competitor warms up before competing at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)



A coach advises her pupil during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

A coach advises her pupil during the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin, Ireland on April 11, 2017. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)
13 Apr 2017 09:33:00