I have finally learned that there is more to dancing than just winning. Through all of the crazy, difficult, and nerve-racking times, I would not trade a moment of my Irish dancing career for anything in the world. Dancing practice and competitions take up a lot of time. Before major competitions, many dancers are at practice four times a week, and some travel up to two hours for class. Besides that, the dedicated dancers practice on their own every other day.
Competitions take up many weekends, especially near major competitions.
A lot of dancers are also involved with sports and other after school activities, leaving them no time for anything else. Irish people have always been hard workers. My Grandpa loved to go out at night, but he knew his father would be expecting him to be up early the next morning to help out on the farm. His father would tell him if you are awake enough to go to the dance, you are awake enough to go to work. Sacrifices had to be made many times to help his family out on the farm.