Irish dancers kept St. Patrick's Day alive online this year

Ciara Sexton's #StPatricksDayStepAbout online trend let Irish dancers show their stuff during this unusual St. Patrick's Day.

When St. Patrick’s Day 2020 was all but canceled in the face of coronavirus, one community who felt the pinch the most is Irish dancers.

Read more: "We will toast again" - Guinness shares hopeful message of togetherness

Several organizations postponed or canceled their World Irish Dance Championships in light of the coronavirus pandemic, and Irish dancers faced further disappointment as their annual St. Patrick's Day shows and performances were canceled.

On top of that, many communities around the world were forced to remain at home during what is typically the busiest time of year for Irish dancers.

Recognizing the difficult time Irish dancers were facing, professional Irish dancer Ciara Sexton invited dancers from all around the world to share videos as part of the #StPatricksDayStepAbout.

In an Instagram post on March 16, Sexton said: "A couple of us teachers have come up with an idea to get us all dancing the same step for St. Patricks Day! Get out your jig shoes and either learn this step or create your own! Add the hashtag and we will create a collage! Lets bring our ID community together around the globe for a good old St Patrick's Day Step About!! "

When asked what the response has been like, Sexton told IrishCentral: “Oh my goodness they [the videos] are pouring in and I am so moved.

“It's so nice to see kiddos moving and shaking the during lockdown!!”

The trend quickly took off and Irish dancers showed off their creative side this March 17.

Read more:Irish dancer and Irish dance school of the month - who is your choice?

Check out these talented Irish dancers showing off their steps for St. Patrick’s Day:

Sisters Ava and Ciara Leddy from Scoil Rince Na Saoirse in New York:

Professional Irish dancer Rebecca Kender:

Abbie showing off a lively reel:

The Connick School, based in North and South Carolina, got in on the fun:

Niamh from Enright Quinn Academy of Irish Dance in Limerick, Ireland:

Cameron from the Houston Academy of Irish Dance, who didn’t even let some snow stop his steps:

Melissa Purdon all the way from Johannesburg, South Africa of the Robinson Dance Studio:

Siobhan from Lorraine Duggan Irish Dance in Co Cork:

Tom Conroy of the Conroy Irish Dance Company, based in the UK:

Read More: IrishCentral’s favorite Irish music for St. Patrick’s Day

Share your #StPatricksDayStepAbout video on social media! Happy St. Patrick's Day.

* Originally published on March 17, 2020.