Kilrush hip-hoppers prove they’re real slick

THE Kilrush Youth Project hip-hop group The Real Slick Ricks represented The Clare Youth Service in the All-Ireland finals, which was hosted in Donegal recently where they finished runners-up in the competition.
The young group, made up of seven girls aged between 13 and18 years, are all from the John Paul Estate. They had previously won the Clare category in the competition back in March and had been training intensively for the past few months to compete at national level.
This was the group’s third year participating in the games; they finished third last year and now have been placed second this year.
The event was held in the Radisson Hotel in Letterkenny and seven teams had qualified from different counties throughout the country after being successful in their regional finals.
The Real Slick Ricks danced third and after a lot of nerves throughout the day, performed brilliantly when called upon to do so. After a nervy half-hour wait, the results were finally revealed and the girls were delighted to finish second. They are now planning to compete again next year.
The project is part of a wider programme of activities being catered for on John Paul Estate through the guidance of Clare Youth Service and supported through The Health Service Executive and Clare Local Development Company.
The project also received support from Kilrush Community School, Tesco Kilrush and some local individuals which were greatly appreciated.
Louise McMahon, youth worker from the project explains. “The majority of the girls have been part of this group for the last three years and they have continually improved both in skill and confidence. They have been a joy to work with and I would like to thank them for their co-operation throughout and also thank Laura Jane Allis of Breakthrough Dance Company, who has been instrumental in their development,” she said.