From Missoula to Dublin: Montana Teen Dances on the World Stage

Montana has a large population of people who can trace their roots back to Ireland. According to the U.S. News & World Report, Montana is in the top ten states with the highest percentage of Irish population, at 13.4%.

There are a lot of ways that Montanans continue to keep Irish culture thriving. The Irish Studies Program at the University of Montana, which teaches the Irish language as well as Gaelic heritage and Irish history, is one example.

Then there are the bands, musicians, and dancers that are also helping to keep Irish culture alive. There are plenty of bars and restaurants that host "Irish Music" nights, and there are a lot of local musicians that take part in these events.

It's great to see young people getting in the game. Just recently, an Irish Dancer from Montana competed at the Irish Dancing World Championships (Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne) in Dublin, Ireland. 

Porter Jacobson, from Missoula, competed as a solo dancer in the 14-15-year-old age group. In order to make it to the "Worlds", Jacobson had to qualify in a regional competition in Phoenix, Arizona.

Any time someone gets the chance to compete on a world stage it's something special. For a lot of people, the experience can be more important than the results. Even though Jacobson didn't place very high, he learned a lot from the competition. He knows what to work on for upcoming competitions, like stamina, flexibility, and the basics.

Jacobson, who has been dancing for nine years, is already looking ahead to possibly competing at the National Irish Dancing Championships in Washington D.C. coming up the first week in July.

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This coming weekend you will get the chance to experience traditional Celtic dancing and the next generation of dancers. Celtic Crossroads: The Reunion is scheduled at Missoula's Sentinel High School this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. The event will feature the Carroll-Henderson School of Irish Dance, the Missoula Highland Dancers, and the Celtic Dragon Pipe Band, tickets are on sale now.