Irish Dance Competitions Explained: A Complete Guide to Feiseanna, Championships, and Qualification
- fhershberger
- Jun 4
- 10 min read
Introduction
This guide is based primarily on the competition structure used by An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG), the world's largest governing body for Irish dance. Specific rules, qualification procedures, and competition offerings vary by region and are periodically updated. Examples throughout this guide reflect common practices in North America, particularly the Mid-America region. If you see something inaccurate because of a rule shift, please email dance@gaelicorigins.com
What Is a Feis?
The Irish word Feis (pronounced fesh) originally meant "festival." Today, it is commonly used to describe an Irish dance competition. The plural form is Feiseanna.
A typical feis brings together dancers from multiple schools to compete in individual and team events. Depending on the size of the event, there may be hundreds of dancers ranging from first-time competitors to World Championship qualifiers.
While the atmosphere is competitive, feiseanna are also social gatherings that celebrate Irish culture, music, and dance.
Who Can Compete?
Most schools allow dancers to begin competing once they have learned enough material to perform confidently on their own.
Competition is entirely optional. Many dancers participate because they enjoy setting goals, receiving feedback from judges, and tracking their progress over time.
Others focus primarily on performance opportunities, cultural education, or recreational participation.
How Are Dancers Divided by Age?
Irish dance competitions are primarily divided by age.
A dancer typically competes only against others in their age group. Most age groups are organized as "Under" categories such as:
Under 8 (U8), Under 10 (U10), Under 12 (U12), Under 15 (U15)
One unique aspect of Irish dance is that a dancer's competition age is usually determined by their age on January 1st of the competition year.
For example:
· A dancer who turns 12 in February would generally compete as Under 12 for the entire year.
· A dancer who turned 12 in December of the previous year would compete as Under 13.
Smaller competitions may combine neighboring age groups if entries are low.
How Irish Dance Competitions Are Organized
Local feiseanna are generally hosted by individual dance schools, Irish cultural organizations, or regional committees. If they operate under CLRG, in North America, that oversight is provided through the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America (IDTANA). North America is divided into seven CLRG regions: Mid-America
Mid-Atlantic
New England
Southern Region
Western United States
Eastern Canada
Western Canada
Each region manages local competitions, teacher certification support, and championship qualification procedures within its geographic area.
Most dancers spend the majority of their careers attending local feiseanna. These events may attract anywhere from a few dozen to several hundred dancers and are generally open to competitors from any CLRG school with a TCRG (teacher) in good standing.
Registering for a competition
One of the first surprises for new dance families is that there is no single website where all Irish dance competitions are listed and managed. Instead, individual feiseanna choose a registration platform, and dancers register online through that service. Your dance teacher will typically let you know which competitions are recommended and when registration opens.
Step 1: Find a Feis
Most dancers learn about upcoming competitions through:
o Their dance school
o Regional Irish dance websites
o Feis registration platforms
o Social media announcements
Each competition publishes a syllabus, which serves as the official rulebook for that event. The syllabus includes:
o Competition date and location
o Entry deadlines
o Age groups
o Competition levels
o Fees
o Special awards
o Team competitions
o Event-specific rules
Always read the syllabus carefully, as rules and offerings can vary from one feis to another.
Step 2: Register Through the Event Platform
Most CLRG feiseanna use one of several online registration systems such as QuickFeis, FeisWorx, iFeis, FeisWeb
How Dancers Progress Through the Levels
One of the most confusing aspects for new families is the competition level system.
Irish dance uses a progression model that allows dancers to move upward as they demonstrate mastery of each dance. Progression occurs dance-by-dance rather than all at once. This is important to note because a dancer may be at different Grade levels in different dances at the same competition. The progression is generally: Grade Levels: First Feis, Beginner 1, Beginner 2, Novice, Prizewinner. Championship Levels: Preliminary Championship, and Open Championship.
o First Feis: A special category designed for dancers attending their first competition.
o Beginner 1: Typically for dancers with less than one year of instruction.
o Beginner 2: For dancers who have completed their first year or advanced from Beginner 1.
o Novice: Dancers move into Novice after earning qualifying placements (1st, 2nd or 3rd place in a competition of 5 or more dancers) in Beginner 2.
o Prizewinner (PW): Dancers advance into Prizewinner after winning a Novice competition in a particular dance with 5 or more dancers.
o Preliminary Championship (PC): A championship-level division for advanced dancers who have completed progression through the grade levels. Dancers must have qualifying 1st places in all core dances; Reel, Hornpipe and Treble Jig as well as Slip Jig for girls.
o Open Championship: The highest regular competitive level, featuring many of the strongest dancers in the region. Dancers must earn 3 qualifying first places in PC to move to Open Championships (OC)
Solo Dances
Competitive Irish dance includes Reel, Light Jig, Single Jig, Slip Jig, Hornpipe, Treble Jig, Traditional Set Dances, and Non-Traditional Set Dances. Soft shoe dances emphasize rhythm and grace while hard shoe dances emphasize power and percussion.
· Soft Shoe Dances:
· Reel: The most commonly learned dance and usually the first competition dance for beginners.
· Light Jig: An energetic dance performed to 6/8 or jig rhythm and known for its lively movement.
· Single Jig: A softer, more playful dance that is sometimes offered at competitions.
· Slip Jig: Performed to 9/8 music and traditionally competed only by girls under CLRG competition rules. Many schools teach it to all students.
· Hard Shoe Dances
· Hornpipe: A powerful dance in 4/4 time featuring rhythmic footwork and controlled timing.
· Treble Jig: Sometimes called the "Heavy Jig," known for its strong percussion and athletic movements. 6/8 time
· Traditional Set Dances: Historic dances preserved within Irish dance tradition, including:
o St. Patrick's Day
o Blackbird
o Job of Journeywork
o Garden of Daisies
o King of the Fairies
o Three Sea Captains
o Jockey to the Fair
· Non-Traditional Set Dances: Advanced championship dances with customized choreography selected from an approved list.
How Dancers Are Judged
Competitions are judged by certified adjudicators who have undergone extensive training and testing. Judges evaluate dancers on several factors, including:
o Timing and rhythm
o Foot placement
o Turnout
o Accuracy of steps
o Posture and carriage
o Stage presence
o Height and quality of jumps
o Overall execution
Unlike many sports, Irish dance scoring is largely qualitative. Judges compare dancers against both technical standards and the performances of other competitors in the event.
Championship events are generally judged by panels of multiple adjudicators.
Team Dancing: Ceili, Figure Choreography, and Dance Drama
Irish dance is not exclusively a solo activity. Many dancers participate in Céilí (Kay-Lee) dancing, a form of traditional Irish group dancing.
Common team events include:
o 2-Hand – this choreography is custom to the school
o 3-Hand - this choreography is custom to the school
o 4-Hand – this choreography is standardized by CLRG and there are 2 options
o 8-Hand – this choreography is standardized by CLRG, there are multiple options
Unlike solo competitions, team events are generally divided by age rather than skill level.
These dances emphasize teamwork, formations, timing, and precision rather than individual performance.
Figure Choreography
Figure choreography is one of the most creative areas of competitive Irish dance.
Unlike céilí dancing, which follows established traditional dances, figure choreography allows schools to create original routines. Teams combine traditional Irish dance technique with creative formations, transitions, themes, and storytelling elements.
Teams are commonly made up of larger groups of dancers. Figure choreography has become increasingly popular because it allows dancers to showcase creativity while still demonstrating strong Irish dance fundamentals.
Dance Drama
Dance Drama is often considered the "Broadway" category of Irish dance competition. Schools create theatrical productions that combine:
o Irish dance
o Acting
o Storytelling
o Costuming
o Props
o Music
Many Dance Drama pieces draw inspiration from Irish mythology, historical events, literature and original stories
At major championships, Dance Drama competitions can feature dozens of dancers performing elaborate productions that may take months to prepare.
For many dancers, Dance Drama becomes one of the most memorable parts of their championship experience because it combines athleticism, creativity, and teamwork in a way that is unique within Irish dance.
Adult Competitions
Adult dancers have their own competition pathway and compete separately from youth dancers. Adult categories generally include Beginner, Beginner 2, Novice, Prizewinner, Adult Championship, and Advanced Adult Championship.
Adult Championship – designed for dancers who started as adults, danced only recreationally as children or returned to dance after a long break.
An Adult Championship dancer:
o Must be at least 18 years old.
o Cannot have competed as a youth championship dancer during the previous 5 years.
o Cannot have previously placed Top 3 in a Preliminary Championship.
o Cannot have competed Open Championship as a youth competitor.
Advanced Adult Championship - designed for dancers who competed at a high level as youth
This is a completely separate category. Advanced Adults are dancers 18+ who:
o Placed Top 3 in a Preliminary Championship within the last 10 years, OR
o Competed Open Championship within the previous 15 years.
A very important point: Once a dancer chooses to compete as an Advanced Adult, they leave the youth/"& Over" pathway and cannot return to it. Unfortunately as of 2026, adults still do not have a Worlds category so Oireachtas or NAIDC participation does not provide Worlds qualifications. As a result there are many adults who choose to forgo the adult categories and continue dancing in the “23 & over” youth category to have an opportunity for a worlds spot.
Many Oireachtas and the NAIDC offer Adult Team competitions in the form of 4 and 8 Hands, both Ladies, Mixed (with Gents), Under 40 and Over 40.
What Do Irish Dancers Wear?
Competition attire varies by level. Beginning dancers often compete in:
o School costumes
o Black leotards or shirts
o School skirts or vests
o Poodle socks
o Ghillies (soft shoes)
o Hard shoes
As dancers progress, many eventually purchase custom solo costumes. These dresses have become one of the most recognizable aspects of competitive Irish dance. Modern dresses often feature: Celtic-inspired embroidery, Crystal embellishments, Vibrant colors, Personalized designs.
Many dancers also wear curly wigs or bun pieces, which is not required but is a tradition that evolved from the historical practice of curling hair for church and special occasions.
How Much Does Competing Cost?
Costs vary by competition and region. A typical local feis may include:
o Family registration fee
o Individual dance entry fees
o Team competition fees
o Registration processing fees
Many dancers start by entering only a few dances and gradually expand their participation as they gain experience. Beyond registration fees, families may choose to invest in shoes, costumes, travel, private lessons, and championship events, though none of these are required to begin competing.
How Long Does a Competition Day Last?
The honest answer: it depends. Most feiseanna publish schedules in advance, but competition timing can shift throughout the day. A dancer might finish all of their events within a few hours—or spend most of the day at the venue waiting for competitions to begin.
Experienced dance families often bring snacks, water, books, devices, folding chairs, extra shoe laces and socks.
Patience becomes part of the sport.
The Championship Pathway
Most dancers begin at local feiseanna. As they advance, they may compete at Regional Oireachtas events, qualify for international championships, and ultimately earn a place at the World Championships. As dancers advance, they may choose to pursue qualification for major championship events.
The first major step is the Regional Oireachtas (pronounced oh-rock-tas), which means "gathering" in Irish. Every CLRG region hosts its own Oireachtas annually, typically in late fall. Unlike local feiseanna, these events are generally restricted to dancers who belong to schools within that specific region. For example, the Mid-America Oireachtas is only open to dancers registered in the Mid-America region.
The Oireachtas serves several purposes:
Crowning regional champions
Selecting regional céilí teams
Qualifying dancers for the World Championships and the North American Nationals
Beyond the regional level, dancers may compete at several major international championships. Depending on qualification requirements and eligibility rules, these can include:
The North American Irish Dance Championships (NAIDC)
The All-Ireland Championships in Killarney in February
The All-Scotland Championships in Glasgow in the fall
The Great Britain Championships in London in the fall
The World Irish Dancing Championships (Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne), the location varies globally.
Unlike regional Oireachtas events, some of these major championships allow qualified dancers from outside the host region or country to enter. As a result, it is common to see dancers traveling internationally to compete against some of the strongest competitors in the world.
How Qualification for Worlds Works
The Regional Oireachtas is the primary qualification event for the World Championships, but dancers can also qualify at International “Majors” such as the NAIDC, All-Irelands, All-Scots, and Great-Brits. Qualification spots are allocated based on age-group size and CLRG qualification formulas. Team events, including céilí and choreography teams, may also qualify through the Oireachtas process.
How Qualification for Nationals Works
The North American Irish Dance Championships serve as one of the largest annual Irish dance competitions in the world. Eligibility and qualification procedures vary by age and competitive level and are updated periodically by CLRG and IDTANA.
Life Beyond Competition
For many dancers, reaching Worlds is a long-term goal. For others, the camaraderie of team events, the excitement of Oireachtas season, and the opportunity to represent their school on a regional stage are equally rewarding. One of the strengths of Irish dance is that there are meaningful competitive experiences available at every level—from a dancer's first local feis to the World Championships. Not every dancer pursues championships. Many dancers participate in local feiseanna, performance opportunities, team events, and cultural activities throughout their dance careers.
Competition Progression Overview
*Typically a qualifying win must have 5 or more competitors in the group
Level | Typical Competitor | How Advancement Occurs | Notes |
First Feis | First-time competitor | One-time introductory category | Optional at many feiseanna |
Beginner 1 | Less than one year dancing | Move to Beginner 2 | Basic steps only |
Beginner 2 | Second beginner level | 1st-3rd place in a qualifying win* moves dance to Novice | Hard shoe dances introduced |
Novice | Intermediate dancer | 1st place moves dance to Prizewinner | Dance-by-dance progression |
Prizewinner | Highest grade level | Must receive a 1st in all core dances (Reel, Treble Jig and Hornpipe, plus Slip Jig for Girls) to move to Preliminary Championship | Most dancers spend significant time here |
Preliminary Championship | Championship-level dancer | Three qualifying wins move to Open | Multi-round competition |
Open Championship | Highest regular CLRG level | Remain Open Championship | Eligible for top championship pathway |
Major Championship Ladder
Competition | Eligibility | Purpose |
Local Feis | Most CLRG dancers | Advancement and experience |
Regional Oireachtas | Regional dancers only, Qualification varies by region but typically includes being a placing Championship level dancer. Younger dancers can qualify as Prizewinners under specific rules. | Regional titles and Worlds qualification |
North American Championships | Qualified/eligible dancers and Teams | Major international competition |
All Ireland Championships | Qualified eligible dancers | International championship |
All Scotland Championships | Qualified eligible dancers | International championship |
Great Britain Championships | Qualified eligible dancers | International championship |
World Championships | Qualified dancers and teams | Highest level of CLRG competition |
Common Solo Dances
Dance | Type | Description |
Reel | Soft Shoe | Most common introductory dance 4/4 time |
Light Jig | Soft Shoe | Lively dance in jig rhythm ¾ time |
Single Jig | Soft Shoe | Playful traditional dance |
Slip Jig | Soft Shoe | 9/8 timing, traditionally ladies competition dance |
Hornpipe | Hard Shoe | Strong rhythmic hard shoe dance 4/4 time |
Treble Jig | Hard Shoe | Powerful percussion-based dance 6/8 time |
Traditional Sets (one of 7 options in CLRG) | Hard Shoe | Historic preserved dances |
Non-Traditional Set | Hard Shoe | Championship customized choreography |
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