0:00:16 > 0:00:19This year marks the 20th anniversary of Riverdance's seminal Eurovision
0:00:19 > 0:00:23performance, which thrilled and inspired a worldwide audience.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26CHEERING
0:00:26 > 0:00:30The dance form has since proved immensely popular and is now
0:00:30 > 0:00:35practised by people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds,
0:00:35 > 0:00:37from every corner of the globe.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39In Bray, County Dublin,
0:00:39 > 0:00:43the Fegan School of Dance has always been inclusive,
0:00:43 > 0:00:46and a particular Traveller family are showing plenty of promise.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48This is my second cousin Joanne O'Brien.
0:00:48 > 0:00:53My third cousin Mary O'Brien. My third cousin Bridget Connors.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56My first cousin Nan O'Brien, my third cousin Jean O'Brien
0:00:56 > 0:00:57and I'm Jim O'Brien.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13My favourite sport is Irish dancing.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15Because, I'm, like,
0:01:15 > 0:01:18I'm probably four years at it.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20This school of dance is called
0:01:20 > 0:01:22the Fegan School of Irish Dancing
0:01:22 > 0:01:25and my teacher's called Pauline Fegan.
0:01:26 > 0:01:27Good.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32My names Bridget Connors, I'm 13, and I dance for Pauline Fegan.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34One more time, OK?
0:01:36 > 0:01:38I think there's about seven or eight other Travelling girls -
0:01:38 > 0:01:42and boy - in my dancing class with Pauline.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44I wouldn't say there are much Travellers out there competing.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Besides us that dance with Pauline.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50Pauline is probably the best dance teacher in Ireland
0:01:50 > 0:01:53and probably one of the best in the world.
0:01:53 > 0:01:58If you make a mistake she makes you do it properly.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Up, up, up and over. Up with the right leg, Jim,
0:02:01 > 0:02:03you're losing your time a little.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08I'm very lazy at dancing.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11I go to about two, three classes a week.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14And out of them I practise about, say, one day at all at home.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16I could be a lot better if I tried.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19You are so lazy. I have to get you dancing by Friday.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22It's our first class in about ten weeks.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25The focus of Jim and Bridget's training
0:02:25 > 0:02:27is the Leinster Championship,
0:02:27 > 0:02:31where they can qualify for the 2014 World Championships in London.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47My dream is to win the Leinster.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51Then probably the Irish Nationals, then the World's.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Well done, Jim, sleep well. Bye, now. See you tomorrow.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Nan, see you Wednesday.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00For class, OK? Good girl. Don't forget, now.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Half six to half eight tomorrow, here. Yeah, don't forget, now.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10I live in Burton Hall.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Burton Hall is a Travelling site.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15I know everybody in the site.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18We're all family, so we all talk the same, we all get on the same.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20We know each other better than anybody else.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25There's been a change at home for Bridget recently
0:03:25 > 0:03:29with the arrival of her new baby brother, Miley.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Having a new baby in the house means that I've a bit more work to do
0:03:32 > 0:03:35and it is a bit harder to get down to class.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38Everyday I get up, get dressed, I come in here.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40I make the boys' lunches.
0:03:40 > 0:03:45Clean up after it and make sure that everything's in their bags.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49But if I was a boy and the eldest I wouldn't have to make lunches.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51Just cos I'm a girl.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53So...
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Kind of have to do it, like, cos you don't want to be...
0:03:56 > 0:03:58You don't want people going round saying,
0:03:58 > 0:04:00"Oh, no, there's a smell off her. Don't go into that house,
0:04:00 > 0:04:02"there's a bad smell." I wouldn't have that, I'd die.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04It actually helps a lot with dancing,
0:04:04 > 0:04:07would you believe it? Because my legs are constantly moving,
0:04:07 > 0:04:09so it's actually, I think...
0:04:09 > 0:04:10I THINK it's good for me. I'm not sure.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13I hope it is, because I never stop!
0:04:13 > 0:04:17If I couldn't go dancing, I'd probably just crack up.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20Before I get married and settled down, I'd like to be a beautician
0:04:20 > 0:04:23and do nails and hair and makeup, and all that.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26I kind of do want to continue doing dancing for a while.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28You feel equal when you're dancing.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Everyone's the same. We all wear makeup and tan. We go to a feis
0:04:31 > 0:04:34and there's loads of diamond stuff, and I'm not the only one buying them.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36There's all other girls that aren't Travellers
0:04:36 > 0:04:40as well buying them, so it just feels good.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42Outside of dancing, I might be looked at differently.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45Like an outcast or, like, whatever.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Going to a wedding, you'll be wearing whatever - all tan and makeup,
0:04:48 > 0:04:50and your hair all fixed up, and short skirts and belly tops,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53and high heels - and they're just looking at you,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56like, "Where does she think she's going?!"
0:05:01 > 0:05:05While Bridget is busy at home, Pauline works with Jim,
0:05:05 > 0:05:07who has a problem with his timing.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09This isn't helped by the fact that
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Jim was recently diagnosed with partial deafness in one ear
0:05:12 > 0:05:13and is awaiting treatment.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17Listen, listen to the time, listen...
0:05:17 > 0:05:20SHE SHOUTS INSTRUCTIONS
0:05:20 > 0:05:23So I need you to concentrate on your timing. You'll be last place
0:05:23 > 0:05:27if your timing goes, OK? So we've got to listen very carefully.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29I heard you're going to get grommets maybe in the summer.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32I knew there was something wrong with my timing when they said
0:05:32 > 0:05:34- I was 20% deaf in my ear, so...- So you believe me?
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- Yeah.- You weren't believing me up till that, were you?- No.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39- You thought I was giving you a hard time, didn't you?- Yeah.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Because I've been telling you for a long time it's a little bit out,
0:05:42 > 0:05:45and I know you find it hard for me to tell you things like that
0:05:45 > 0:05:47and you feel a bit hurt maybe because you've worked so hard,
0:05:47 > 0:05:49but it's not your fault, you know?
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Your ears are playing up a bit.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53And I'm going to change your steps
0:05:53 > 0:05:56so that the steps will be easy to recognise,
0:05:56 > 0:05:58the beats might fit in to the music.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Your timing's going to improve, definitely going to improve.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03And the world's yours then, Jim.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16'Jim is very special because he loves his dancing.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20'He loves the music, even though he's sometimes not in time.'
0:06:20 > 0:06:21You can see him floating
0:06:21 > 0:06:23like a little bird on the stage,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26and he's fantastic on stage. Fantastic.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28'No matter what Jim does in life,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31'he's going to be very, very successful.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33'And I do hope he keeps it up
0:06:33 > 0:06:36'because it's going to take time to mature and learn.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40'And I do think Jim can be a world-class dancer.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42'But, you know, it's difficult for a boy
0:06:42 > 0:06:44'because there's a lot of slagging out there
0:06:44 > 0:06:46'and a lot of name-calling,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48'and they have to be even stronger than the girls.'
0:06:53 > 0:06:54Before I joined with Pauline,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56I was really young and I was at one class,
0:06:56 > 0:06:58but the teacher, she'd completely ignore you,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00she'd send you over in a corner and...do this and do that.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03You'd know she wasn't paying proper attention to you.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06And you'd know she'd be discriminating against you
0:07:06 > 0:07:09because you were a Traveller. You'd know straightaway, but...
0:07:09 > 0:07:10It's very aggravating.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14Then I came to Pauline, and Pauline's just amazing.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Pauline's really, really good. Like, she treats us all
0:07:17 > 0:07:20like we're the same and, you know, there's no difference.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04- Bolognese?- OK.- Just the one?- Yeah.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- Did you enjoy yourself this morning?- Yeah.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- How's your timing doing? - It's all right.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14Pauline asked me, was I getting grommets? And I said, I am.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Next month or during the summer, I said.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19- Yeah.- And she said,
0:08:19 > 0:08:24"Oh, maybe that's why your balance and your timing's out all the time."
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Yeah, because your hearing is low in one ear,
0:08:27 > 0:08:30and you have to get your tonsils out as well.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33So we have to build you up for that, haven't we?
0:08:33 > 0:08:37Maybe put on a little bit of weight.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39As far as I ever can remember, he's the only boy
0:08:39 > 0:08:42in the Travelling community that does Irish dancing,
0:08:42 > 0:08:44that picked up the Irish dancing.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Years ago, they did, like, but... they done it for fun.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Didn't do it for competitions or anything.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52I love watching him dance.
0:08:52 > 0:08:57- So does his granny.- My granny comes to watch me dance all the time.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00He's been always delicate.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03He's a worry. A big worry, Jim is.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07When he was young, he had septicaemia
0:09:07 > 0:09:12and he couldn't even lift his limbs. So...
0:09:15 > 0:09:17What could have been...
0:09:22 > 0:09:26But believe me, nothing happened, thank God. Thanks be to God.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29But it's just...when they tell you in the hospital
0:09:29 > 0:09:30what could have happened...
0:09:30 > 0:09:32So we're glad to have him
0:09:32 > 0:09:35and we'll be just delighted with him dancing, that's it.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43He hurls now as well, but his first priority is his Irish dancing.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45And his cousins, they all hurl.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47He never gets jeered or anything from them.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50And all his friends, like, support him in it.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53There's the big boy in the blue coat.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56The big boy in the T-shirt is Michael, my brother.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59And the little boy in the jersey is called Jim, he's my little cousin.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01None of them dance.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09I think it's really, really great and it's kind of cool
0:10:09 > 0:10:12when you win all the trophies and medals.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14And every time I play with him,
0:10:14 > 0:10:18he runs, the way he jumps around Irish dancing.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24Whenever the ball doesn't come to me, I'm just always, like...dancing.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28He Irish dances for a second, then he stops, then he starts again.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33My brother Michael, he doesn't Irish dance
0:10:33 > 0:10:35because he thinks it's for girls.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Whenever Michael tells me Irish dancing's for girls,
0:10:37 > 0:10:39I say to him, "No, it's not,
0:10:39 > 0:10:41"because there's boys and girls doing Irish dancing.
0:10:41 > 0:10:46"And in Riverdance, Michael Flatley did the lead, and he's a boy."
0:11:03 > 0:11:04To get some feis practice before
0:11:04 > 0:11:07the all-important Leinster Championships,
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Pauline enters Bridget and Jim into the Irish Nationals,
0:11:09 > 0:11:11held at City West, in Dublin.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20I'm feeling really, really nervous, but, like,
0:11:20 > 0:11:22it's funny being here as well
0:11:22 > 0:11:24because the girls are here and it's good craic.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- What are the earrings? - Just normal earrings.- OK.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29- For dancing?- Yeah.- Oh, no, no, no. - Oh, studs.
0:11:29 > 0:11:34Take them right out. Just studs. OK? You'll be jingling... Good girl.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Pauline, she always has a soft side and you always go to her if you need anything.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42But when it comes to dancing properly, you need to, like,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45be there or else, like, she'll kill you!
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- She just wants us to do our best. - Don't take your eyes off me.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52Pull back your arms. Big strong beginning.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57SHE HUMS
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Jim really gets to focus on the steps when we're doing our makeup.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02It's handier for him because he doesn't have to do all this.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Now, put your head forward.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09I love the wigs. I know people have a lot of problems with the wigs,
0:12:09 > 0:12:11but it does put the whole look together.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14It just makes it more fun looking and more, like, professional, like.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Yeah. More fun, more professional,
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- and I suppose it makes an effort. - Yeah. It makes it look like
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- you're putting in an effort. - Yeah. You're beautiful, look.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24It takes me ten minutes to get ready,
0:12:24 > 0:12:25but it takes the girls about an hour.
0:12:27 > 0:12:32I'm dancing in the Boys' 11-12, and I'm first on stage.
0:12:32 > 0:12:37I've never been first on stage. A bit nervous.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12And before too long Bridget gets her time on stage.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28The results are in, and Bridget has not been placed.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Meanwhile, Jim and his family wait anxiously
0:13:31 > 0:13:34to find out what position he has won.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38When it comes to this stage, it always feels a bit nervous.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41Especially in these competitions.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44They go in the reverse order, so that's kind of a bit scary.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49- ANNOUNCER:- OK, now the results of the Boys' 11-12 years,
0:13:49 > 0:13:52in reverse order...
0:13:52 > 0:13:56In 19th place, it's number two, Jim O'Brien, from the Fegan School.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01As he couldn't keep in time, Jim has placed dead last.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- He worked so hard.- He did work so hard. He'll be disappointed in that.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10Won't he? It's very disappointing, very disappointing.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16I feel so upset for him because 19th is terrible.
0:14:16 > 0:14:21The children know that 19th is, like, the last boy there.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32You'll get the timing sorted. Don't worry, OK?
0:14:32 > 0:14:34Be proud, you did very, very good.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36You didn't deserve last place.
0:14:36 > 0:14:37You need a good old cry now, OK?
0:14:37 > 0:14:39I know you're upset, aren't you, darling?
0:14:45 > 0:14:50Heartbroken at his poor result, Jim decides to quit Irish dancing.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04Mary is coming round today, my first cousin,
0:15:04 > 0:15:08and we'll hopefully get an hour or two of practice in.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11We haven't been dancing in a week
0:15:11 > 0:15:14because we've been very busy with Molly and everything,
0:15:14 > 0:15:17so it's very bad, especially with the Leinsters coming up.
0:15:28 > 0:15:29Some of the Travelling boys
0:15:29 > 0:15:32that don't even live in the site come up and aggravate you.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34"Traveller girls don't do that, that's for country girls."
0:15:34 > 0:15:37I'm like, "Go away, mind your own business about me."
0:15:39 > 0:15:41They've never seen any Travelling girls
0:15:41 > 0:15:44doing anything like Irish dancing, don't see Travelling girls
0:15:44 > 0:15:46going to a settler person's class
0:15:46 > 0:15:48and doing what they do, acting like equals.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52They don't see that, that's why they don't understand it.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56- Brush.- B-rush!- Brush.- B-rush!
0:15:56 > 0:16:01- Hold.- Hold...
0:16:01 > 0:16:05- Keep going.- Got it.- Remember to move up. Ready, steady, go...
0:16:09 > 0:16:11'I was very, very nervous at the Nationals.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15'I didn't get placed and I wasn't happy with how I danced at all.
0:16:15 > 0:16:16'I think I'm doing enough now,'
0:16:16 > 0:16:18because I am trying.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21But we'll see what happens at the Leinsters.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25With their practice completed for the day,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28the girls are getting ready to head out to the local shopping centre.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32We don't use that much makeup, compared to some other girls.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- We don't wear our faces that... - It's not that thick with makeup.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38No, it's not that thick. But, like, if we were going to
0:16:38 > 0:16:41a wedding or something, we'd do it a small bit thick.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45But, like, not for just going off somewhere.
0:16:45 > 0:16:50I'm 11 in April. Most Travelling girls do...
0:16:50 > 0:16:53they get done up from a very young age.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56I think it's important that I look well because...
0:16:56 > 0:17:00I don't like people backstabbing me, like, about that,
0:17:00 > 0:17:03you don't look nice and you're not clean, and all that carry-on.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07So I try to look my nicest.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10What I like about Irish dancing costumes is the diamonds,
0:17:10 > 0:17:13and if a Traveller girl wore it,
0:17:13 > 0:17:16you wouldn't, like, stand out to any other girl.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20You'd be all the same. So, like, it makes you feel good.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38If she keeps practising,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Bridget's mother has promised her a new dancing dress.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Of course, Bridget has her own ideas about how it should look,
0:17:44 > 0:17:49so her aunt has taken her to see dress designer Ronan McCormack.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- Hello, how are you?- I'm grand. - Hiya, I'm Bridget's auntie.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- I just came with her today. Her mum couldn't make it.- Nice to meet you. And, Bridget, how are you?- Grand.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58You're looking well decked out today,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00between the bling and the fur!
0:18:00 > 0:18:04Sit yourselves down, while we have a wee chat about this dress.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08So I assume this is your costume you're wearing at the moment?
0:18:08 > 0:18:13- Oh, yeah.- Right. And are you happy with that dress?- No, I hate it. - You hate it?- I hate it.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- What do you hate about it?- It's too traditional.- Too traditional.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19OK. Well, the colours wouldn't be exactly
0:18:19 > 0:18:21- green, white and orange. - But I mean the design.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Right. The Celtic design. So have you got something in mind
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- for what you'd like?- Yeah. I know exactly what I want, yeah.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30And am I right in saying, now, you were thinking of getting this
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- for the Leinsters?- Yeah.- So do you have any sketches or anything
0:18:33 > 0:18:35- that you've done?- Yeah, I did.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38I brought this. Now, I'm not the best drawer, so don't expect too much!
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- Here it is.- Right, let's have a look.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43OK. So tell me about it.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- I want hot pink all around here.- So that will be across the shoulders.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48- The shoulders and the arms. - Down your sleeves. Right.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52And the stomach part of it - black, but just paved in diamonds.
0:18:52 > 0:18:53I don't want to see any black.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- Nothing but diamonds. - Now, here's the thing -
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- that skirt looks very busy. Is that a tutu?- Tutu, yeah.- Right.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01- And then there's a bow on the side.- OK.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05- And tell me about this neckline. - I want the collar like a shirt.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07OK, let me just do a shirt collar.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12Right, and I suppose you'll want bling on that as well?
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- Yeah, obviously. - I have watched a few episodes of
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding... - I'm not a Gypsy, I'm a Traveller.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Well, I just love the dresses. I don't envy anyone
0:19:21 > 0:19:22having to wear the weight of them.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25If it's going to have a load of bling, which is what I suspect,
0:19:25 > 0:19:27- looking at your shoes today... - It has to be.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29- ..that's not light. - I really want a light one,
0:19:29 > 0:19:31but if you can't do light, what can you do?
0:19:31 > 0:19:33I want the diamonds. I have to have them, like.
0:19:33 > 0:19:34Oh, the diamonds are important!
0:19:34 > 0:19:37One thing I will say is, when something's a bit different,
0:19:37 > 0:19:40it definitely helps catch the attention of the adjudicators
0:19:40 > 0:19:42and the audience. But the problem with that is...
0:19:42 > 0:19:45- If you do something wrong, yeah. - ..if you catch the attention,
0:19:45 > 0:19:47you'd better prove you're worthy of that attention.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51So you'd better dance well and you'd better put a performance up there
0:19:51 > 0:19:54that makes it worth their while paying you that attention.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00After just two weeks away from class,
0:20:00 > 0:20:02Jim's passion for dance and ambition to make it
0:20:02 > 0:20:05to the World Championships proved too much to resist.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08He's back in training for the Leinsters.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Turn out the feet, turn out the feet!
0:20:10 > 0:20:14'This week, I'm going to have to try and ask Jim to focus on me.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16'He hasn't had his ear operation
0:20:16 > 0:20:19'and he's sort of given up a little bit.'
0:20:19 > 0:20:21I need you to keep your timing. Keep your timing
0:20:21 > 0:20:24and you could win like last year. You lose your timing,
0:20:24 > 0:20:26you're completely out of first place and you're into last.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30That's how easy it is. OK, I'll be jumping up and down in the audience this year.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32I don't normally do that, but I will be there. OK?
0:20:32 > 0:20:35And I want you glued to me so I can help you with the timing.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37I know you haven't had your operation yet in your ears
0:20:37 > 0:20:40and I know the timing's very hard for you, but I know you can do it.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43You just have to concentrate. Don't let your concentration go.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46With only a week to go before the Leinsters,
0:20:46 > 0:20:47Bridget attends the class,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50hoping to get her first look at her new dress.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52This is Pauline's last opportunity
0:20:52 > 0:20:55to work with her students before they compete
0:20:55 > 0:20:58for the chance to qualify for the World Championships.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00Do you have the dress?
0:21:00 > 0:21:02- I do, I've a big box for you today. - Can I see it, please?
0:21:02 > 0:21:06- Later.- No, can I... - I'll just start the little ones, then we'll get it, all right?
0:21:06 > 0:21:09'Bridget, she's been in and out of class.'
0:21:09 > 0:21:12I don't think she's doing a lot of practising. I'm trying to get
0:21:12 > 0:21:15a bit of work out of her, so I'm going to wait till the end of class
0:21:15 > 0:21:17before I reveal the costume.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Bridget, you've got one week left.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23I don't think that's enough really, but we'll work it. Come on!
0:21:25 > 0:21:27A week left, and I don't think I'm ready.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30So I'm going to probably be practising all day and all night for the next week.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33So it's going to be no sleep.
0:21:33 > 0:21:34Come on, pull in the arms!
0:21:34 > 0:21:38If you just did a bit of skipping, Bridget, that would improve.
0:21:38 > 0:21:39Come on, lift, lift!
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Come on, you've really improved,
0:21:41 > 0:21:44you just need to do a bit of work on your fitness.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46You've really improved, you've made a massive improvement.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49Unfortunately, you're not doing any fitness or any skipping.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- Will you promise me you'll do some skipping this week?- Okey-dokey.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- OK, good girl.- Can I see the dress now?- No.- Please, please, please!
0:21:55 > 0:21:57- No.- Please, please!- Oh, the dress!
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- Oh, you almost forgot, serious? - Does everybody want to see Bridget's dress? I nearly forgot!
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- Can Bridget see first? - What colour is it?
0:22:04 > 0:22:07- ALL: Pink! - To make the boys wink!
0:22:08 > 0:22:11Ooh!
0:22:11 > 0:22:16- Ooh! What do you think?- Yeah, it's lovely.- Do you like it?- Yeah.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19There's lots of bows. A shawl.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21Now, Olivia, take her to the bathroom, and don't be long.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- It's pink and sparkly! - It's just Bridget, like.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27- Can we see it? - But her dancing costume's
0:22:27 > 0:22:28- always pink and sparkly.- No!
0:22:28 > 0:22:33- Just open the door, so we can see her!- Are we ready, then?- Yeah!
0:22:33 > 0:22:35One, two, three!
0:22:35 > 0:22:38Oh, isn't it beautiful?!
0:22:38 > 0:22:43- It's really nice! Turn round, turn round.- Gorgeous!
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- So what do you think?- I don't really think it all matches, so...
0:22:46 > 0:22:48Yeah, it's maybe a little bit big, just for your waistline.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52You'll have to play around with it. No better woman. Turn around
0:22:52 > 0:22:55so we'll see your shawl now. Actually, the back's beautiful.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57- Bridget, you look really nice. - Thanks.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00- What do you think of the skirt? - It's very plain.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04I was going to get more tulle and just stick it completely out,
0:23:04 > 0:23:05and more diamonds all over it.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08- Put diamonds all along there. - Lovely, good girl.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10- That'll be beautiful. - Diamond underwear! Bling!
0:23:10 > 0:23:14I don't think we'll get diamond underwear. No need for that.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16- All right, lovely. - Help me get dressed.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18'I need to fix the skirt,
0:23:18 > 0:23:21'put more diamonds on it, and get a smaller middle piece.'
0:23:21 > 0:23:24So hopefully I'll be able to get it done in a week.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28Then dancing, I have to be on my skipping rope and do a bit more.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Oh, I'm dreading next Sunday, God!
0:23:31 > 0:23:34I'm so nervous, I don't even want to think about it. I'm trying to just
0:23:34 > 0:23:37put it to the back of my mind, then I don't think about it until the day.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Then I can hyperventilate and go to hospital. Then I won't have to do it!
0:23:45 > 0:23:47The Leinsters finally arrive
0:23:47 > 0:23:49and hundreds of competitors have come,
0:23:49 > 0:23:52hoping to earn their place in the World Championships.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Bridget is late.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00It's ten to nine and I'm dancing at nine.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03- I wish I'd got up earlier. - Did you go over your steps
0:24:03 > 0:24:07- yesterday, Bridget?- No! - Bridget! Come on now,
0:24:07 > 0:24:10you should have been practising for well an hour yesterday.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14'I haven't danced in my costume yet. I've barely tried it on.'
0:24:14 > 0:24:17Beautiful. You did a great job on it.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20Completely different. OK, we'd better go.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25- Keep your eyes up, OK?- Yeah. - And do your best.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29All you can do is your best, all right? You look lovely.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Keep your eyes up now, and don't be looking at the floor.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41MUSIC BEGINS
0:24:56 > 0:24:59'I'm not happy with the way I danced at all. Me and the girl, we bumped.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03'I was looking down and I didn't see her, and we just bumped.'
0:25:03 > 0:25:05She mustn't have seen me either.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10Bridget has one dance left to try and improve her overall position.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Bridget's not going to be walking away with any trophies today.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34She's definitely in last position.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36For stopping only, not for her dancing,
0:25:36 > 0:25:38because she's really, really improved.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40So I'm sorry she made that mistake.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42'I went wrong in every dance I did,
0:25:42 > 0:25:45'so I'm not really happy with it at all. But ultimately,'
0:25:45 > 0:25:47I've just come away with a new dress
0:25:47 > 0:25:50and a bit more confidence, I think.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53I don't know, I'll figure it out after I've had some sleep.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59While there may be no silverware for Bridget, Jim's family have all come
0:25:59 > 0:26:03hoping to see him dance his way to a place in the World Championships.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05But Jim has been ill.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08He's been coughing for the last week in the night
0:26:08 > 0:26:10because of his breathing. But hopefully now today,
0:26:10 > 0:26:12he'll have the energy to dance.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17I think Jim was born to dance. My grandad used to dance,
0:26:17 > 0:26:20my granny used to dance. He must have got it from them.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24He has the knack, anyhow. He's slim and he's small, and he's everything.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27Pull in that arm. You want this, don't you? OK?
0:26:27 > 0:26:30- You need to pull in that arm. - 'Years ago, like,'
0:26:30 > 0:26:34there was tents and wagons, and all like that. No trailers, no mobiles.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36Just everyone sitting around a fire
0:26:36 > 0:26:39and they'd have their tea outside and a few drinks outside,
0:26:39 > 0:26:41and then they'd have an old dance outside.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45OK, best of luck. Watch me. Keep your eyes on me. Good luck.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47OK, no talking now. Keep your concentration.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22CHEERING
0:27:22 > 0:27:26Pauline and Jim's family wait nervously for his results.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29In order to win his spot in the World Championships,
0:27:29 > 0:27:32he must place in the top five today.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37Now, ready now with the Boys' 11-12 result.
0:27:37 > 0:27:42And our winner of the 11-12 Boys' Championship is Adam Norris.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45In second, we have Nathan Kiernan.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50In third, we have Jim O'Brien.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54CHEERING
0:27:54 > 0:27:58Winning third place means that Jim has now qualified
0:27:58 > 0:28:01for the 2014 London World Championships.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Jim has advanced so much over the year
0:28:04 > 0:28:06and he knows everything about the dance,
0:28:06 > 0:28:08and he eats, drinks and sleeps it.
0:28:08 > 0:28:09He's so intelligent.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14You know, I do think Jim can be a world-class dancer.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23Bridget will have no silverware going home from the Leinsters
0:28:23 > 0:28:26this year, but she'll have a new outfit, a new look, and hopefully,
0:28:26 > 0:28:28she'll be encouraged by the other girls
0:28:28 > 0:28:31that are here in her group from our school
0:28:31 > 0:28:34and she'll hopefully keep it up and improve for next year.