In April, the best Irish dancers from around the world traveled to Dublin Ireland to compete for a world ranking. Connor Lardie, a 16-year-old young man from Avon Lake, Ohio, was amongst these talented dancers. He brought home a 17th place world medal from this year’s World Irish Dancing Championship!
Connor comes from a large Irish American family in the greater Cleveland area. His proud parents, Meghan and Joe Lardie, are well known in the Irish American community. If there is a ceili, festival, or wake, you will likely see the Lardie’s there. Connor’s parents take great pride and joy in watching and supporting Connor on his Irish dance journey, embracing his culture and talents.
Connor has always been in and around the Irish dancing competitive world, as he has parents and older siblings that also irish danced – hence he was carried to practices and competitions from the time he was born. Connor began his official Irish dance journey at age 5, when he attended his first lesson at the Brady-Campbell School of Irish Dance.
He was a natural from the start and enjoyed practicing and learning his steps. Dancing came easily to Connor, and he progressed through the competitive levels quickly.
Highlights from Connor’s dance career thus far include winning the regional title, 1st place Mid America Oireachtas Boys Under 9 competitions in 2018. The following year was the first time he qualified for the World Championships, which were canceled due to the COVID 19 Pandemic.
Connor did, however, compete at the 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 World Championships. His highest world placement thus far is 14th, which he earned at the 2024 World Championships. This year, Connor placed 17th in the World, amongst the best Irish dancers in the Men’s U16 age group from around the world.
“I would like to thank Pat and Rebecca and the other teachers. My success would not have been possible without all their dedication. Getting to the World Championships has been a roller coaster for me.
I first qualified to attend the 2020 World Championships, which were cancelled at the last minute due to Covid, so the first time I danced at Worlds was not until 2022 in Belfast. The following year, I did not qualify for the 2023 World Championships, but I qualified and danced at the 2024 and 2025 Championships.
Not qualifying for 2023 made me push myself harder than I ever have before. I am most proud of my placement at the 2024 Worlds, getting 14th place was incredible. This year, I came home with a 17th place medal, which I am still proud of, but felt as if I could have done better. This will push me to work more diligently for next year.
I enjoy the friends and travel aspects of Irish dance the most! Irish dancing has allowed me to make friendships that will last a lifetime, and I am forever grateful.
I love traveling to new places, especially with my Irish dance friends. We have gone to so many cool and interesting cities all over the world!”  – Connor
For all the young boys out there who are interested in Irish dancing, this sport is for you too. Connor has friendships around the world and across North America that he has developed through this sport and will stay with him for a lifetime.
Congratulations to Connor, his parents, and his teachers for all the accomplishments so far in your dance career. Thank you, Connor, for inspiring young boys to try Irish dancing and carry on the Irish culture in Cleveland, Ohio.
