Ryan's entry into Highland dancing

Six-year-old Ryan McConnell, right, has  become the first boy to compete in a Highland dance competition in Northern Ireland.

The Annalong, Co. Down boy competed alongside 85 girl dancers at the Grosvenor Hall competition in September, organised by the South Belfast Cultural Society.

It is hoped that Ryan is the first of many boys in this category which could potentially provide world-class male Highland dancing champions of the future.

Lord Laird of Artigarvan, chairman of the Ulster-Scots Agency which funded the competition, said: "I'm delighted young Ryan has competed in his first competition. Although he has just started recently, I understand he has a great interest in the dance and I hope his example encourages other young boys to take part.

"We have already fine girl dancers who can hold their own with dancers from Scotland and England. In the future we want to see world champions, both boys and girls, coming from Northern Ireland"

Ryan dances with the Kirknarra School of Dance, Kilkeel. The Annalong Primary School pupil became interested after learning about the success of his cousins Laura and Sarah McConnell, who are also members of the Kirknarra School of Dance.

Gemma McCullough, Michelle Byrne,
Kelly Forsythe, Jacqueline Hanna and
Diane Forsythe, from the Mourne
Highland Dance group, show off their
winning medals.

Present at the Highland Dance competition at Grosvenor Hall, Belfast is Gillian Jones, Northern Ireland's first qualified Highland Dance teacher, with the Kirknarra School of Dance students from Kilkeel.