Dublin dance school ‘over the moon’ after hitting fundraising target for World Cup

Arkins Dance Academy, based on Seán McDermott Street in the north inner city, got almost €25,000 in donations in the past 24 hours after featuring in the Irish Independent.

The group of 28 young dancers will now be heading to the Dance World Cup in June where they will represent Ireland at the competition.

Arkins Dance Academy was founded 29 years ago by Francesca Arkins and has since been taken over by her choreographer daughter, Alysia.

“We were stuck at €8,000 for the past four months, and within the space of 24 hours, we are so close to our full target with €32,451 now on the GoFundMe,” Alysia said.

Dublin dance group appeals for support to represent Ireland at The Dance World Cup finals

“I am entirely grateful not even for me, but for the kids, they deserve this. I want to thank everyone who has donated a million times over. The country is amazing.”

The Dance World Cup finals take place from June 27 until July 6 and required the group to raise €35,000 to travel to Prague in the Czech Republic for the competition.

Alysia said the teenage dancers that now get to go to Prague have been “risking getting in trouble” at school due to constantly checking their phones to keep an eye on donations.

She added that gratitude is “on a different level” and tears of joy have been aplenty.

Choreographer Alysia is a mentor to more than 100 talented children at Arkins Dance Academy.

“At our dance school, we provide a supportive environment for children from working-class families and broken homes, despite facing challenges such as gang feuds, violence, child trafficking, and addiction within our community,” she said.

It hasn’t been easy for the dance school, which can sometimes struggle to just “keep the heating on”.