Effective from 1st September 2016
1. Céilí, Figure & Show Dance Competitions
1.1. Open Céilí, Figure & Show Dance competitions will be danced in front of a minimum of 3 Adjudicators.
1.2. All Céilí dances are to be performed as set out in the book Ár Rince Céilí.
1.3. All schools are eligible to enter teams into the Figure competitions provided they meet the qualification criteria. 50% of the dancers on each team must have participated at the qualifying event.
1.4. To take part in the Figure Invention a school must have competed in the Céilí competition.
1.5. Teams must compete in Céilí at All Irelands to qualify for the Show Dance competition.
1.6. The guidelines for the Figure Invention are as follows:
1.6.1. The Invention should be a modern interpretation of a Céilí dance.
1.6.2. Footwork – only movements found in the figure book Ár Rince Céilí and those performed in A grades are permitted.
1.6.3. All hand and body movements are permitted.
1.6.4. No gymnastic movements are permitted such as splits, cartwheels, handstands.
1.6.5. Music must be of Irish orientation with no vocals throughout.
1.6.6. Time Frame – must not exceed 5 minutes.
1.6.7. Teams may consist of a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 20 dancers.
1.7. The guidelines for the Show Dance competition are as follows:
1.7.1. The Show Dance should portray a story through dance. A short story must be submitted for the presentation booklet.
1.7.2. All foot, hand and body movements are permitted.
1.7.3. The emphasis of the piece should be Irish Dancing.
1.7.4. Music of any orientation is permitted.
1.7.5. Time Frame – must not exceed 5 minutes.
1.7.6. Teams may consist of a minimum of 6 dancers.
2 & 3 Hand Figures 32 bars of music
Walls of limerick Danced once through
Four Hand Figures Danced up and including the 1st Figure performed by the Leading Tops
Fairy Reel Danced once through
Harvest Time Jig Danced once through
Eight Hand Céilí Danced up to and including the 1st Figure performed by the Leading Tops
Three Tunes Danced up to and including Hook and Chain
Sweets of May Danced up to and including the Body (2nd time)
Schools may join with another school to compete in Céilí competitions. The relevant authorities must be notified of the intention to amalgamate.
In the case of an emergency a school may borrow a dancer from another teacher so that a team may compete in Céilí competition. The relevant authorities must be notified.
Dancers may not be brought down in age for Céilí, Figure or Show Dance competitions.
Dancers are permitted to double up only once in Céilí/figure dances. The guidelines are as follows:
2 & 3 Hand Reels 1 Dancer may double up
4 Hand Céilí 2 Dancers may double up
6 Hand Céilí 3 Dancers may double up
8 Hand Céií 4 Dancers may double up
Figure Invention/Show Dance 33% of the team may double up
Note: All Céilí teams must qualify to be eligible to compete in the All Ireland and World Championships. If a team is entered for a Feis and has paid their fees but can’t/didn’t compete for any reason, this will not be considered as a qualifying Feis.