The Telegraph newspaper recently described the World Irish Dancing Championships in London as "hell". Is this really how our national tradition is viewed abroad? Áilín Quinlan meets the 13-year-old world champion — and her family — in Belfast to talk wigs and crystal-encrusted €2,500 costumes.

Irish dancing is not all about little girls in wigs, tiaras and sequinned dresses – and one adult male dancer said he finds those preconceptions “annoying” and people should realise it is a “competitive sport”.