Organization Levels Dancers per Level Beginner Reel, Light Jig, Slip/Single Jig Intermediate Reel, Light Jig, Slip/Single Jig, Trad TJ, Trad HP Novice Reel, Slip Jig, TJ, HP (either speed), Trad Set Prizewinner Reel, Slip Jig, Slow TJ, Slow HP, Trad Set Champion Reel, Slip Jig, Slow TJ, Slow HP, Trad Set, Modern Set Adult Open Soft Shoe, Hard Shoe, Trad Set Beginner A (Bun) Reel 121/123, LJ 121, Slip121, Sng121/123, TJ 89, HP142 Beginner B (Tus) Reel 116/118, LJ 116, Slip 120, Sng 123, TJ 82, HP 123 Intermediate (Mean Grad) Reel 113, Light 116, Slip 113, Single 121, TJ 73, HP 113 Preliminary Only at some events for those who haven't won in Open Open (Ard Grad) Reel, Slip Jig, Slow TJ, Slow HP, Modern Set All Levels Trad Sets, Rally Reel Website: Competitions-Information, for all speeds & sets Bunghard Reel 124, Light Jig116, Slip130, Single Jig 124 Ullmhuchan Reel 120, Slip 128, Single 124, Treble Jig 88, HP 136 Meanghard Reel 116, Slip 124, Single 122, Treble Jig 84, HP 130 Ardghard Reel 116, Slip 118, Single 118, Treble Jig 75, HP 116 Craobghard Reel 116, Slip 118, Single 118, Treble Jig 75, HP 116 All can do St Pat's (88), Job, Bbird, Garden (all 138), White Blanket (140), 2 & 3 Hand Reel (116) World Irish Dance Association Beginner Reel, Light Jig, Slip/Single Jig, Trad TJ (85), Trad HP Primary Reel, Light Jig, Slip/Single Jig, TJ, HP (either speed) Intermediate Reel, Light Jig, Slip/Single Jig, TJ, HP (slow speed) Open Reel, Slip Jig, Slow TJ, Slow HP, Modern Set If you are from another org and rules have changed, please tell us so we update this doc. **Remember to read each organization's rules for clarification or in case they have been changed.
Organization Corresponding Levels in Level Advancement Beginner Place 1st-3 rd in comps with 5+dancers Intermediate All other levels must win first in a competition Novice w/ 5 or more dancers or 2 firsts w/less than 5 Prizewinner (If no first place is awarded, no one advances) Champion Adult Open 21+, all levels mixed (no advancement) Beginner Intermediate Novice/Prizewinner Prizewinner/Champion PW/Champion May compete up in any level 1 st place and min of 6 dancers moves up Beginner 1 st place win, sometimes 1 st - 3 rd place win Intermediate Must qualify for championship events Novice If a dancer is champion but not a part of, Prizewinner must qualify even if champs are exempt Champion May compete in 2 levels World Irish Dance Association Beginner May compete in 2 levels Intermediate/Novice Move up based in wins & no. of competitors, Prizewinner determined by level (see rules) Champion
Team Dancing 2 & 3 Hand Figures, 48 bars each, only ceili steps but any arm movements Ceilis (Ar Rince Foirne) Freestyle (anything goes if it's family friendly), 2.5-3.5 min, min 3 dancers Minor (U8), Junior (8-12), Senior (13-17), Adult (18 & over) At least 50% of a team must be of that category's age group Any Ar Rince Foirne ceili allowed Showdance: max 25 dancers & 5 min, tell story in beginning Age 10, Age 13, Age 17, Over 17 (check each competition) Cannot dance down an age group Dancers may double up in teams (see rules) Teachers Invention ceili steps, any arm/body movements, max 20 dancers, max 5 minutes time U10, U13, U16, U19, O19, Club & Folk 2 & 3 Hand Figures Ceilis (Ar Rince Foirne) Figure Dance Championship Rince Ceol: 1-5 dancers (min Meanghrad), dance to music selected by for that competition World Irish Dance Association Tara Reel is a ceili Age groups determined by entries Cannot dance 2 of same dance in same age group Traditional & modern (modern steps) 2 & 3 Hands Can do both Trad & Modern figures at one event Figure Choreography trad steps, 10-16 dancers, 3.5-5 min Show Championship story, instrumental music only, Irish dance only, 10-20 dancers, 3.5-6 min cannot leave stage At least 50% of the team must be at that age group and only ½ of those not of age can be older
Notable Rules Most modern set dance music is accepted (see list in rules) Age is determined as of January 1 st Pointe work allowed for 12 & up, PW & Champion or 14 & up for novice Assistant teachers may compete in solos. TCRGs may not compete. Teachers (Ats) may not compete in a team with their students. Dancers who advance must move up in that dance See rules for levels at championship events Dance R foot only of Trad set, set part; the Hunt is a trad set Any school that has not competed before in must have a fully qualified teacher Age is determined on the day of the competition Teachers (certified or not) may not compete; must belong to a school to compete En pointe allowed at U12 A & B--see rules for allowed movements A & B, Intermediate dancers light & single jig must be at B level or lower Treble (Rally) Reel 1 step down the line Lower level dancers must have traditional (prescribed) movements in steps No pointe work, butterflies at any level Age is determined as of August 31 st Difference set choices, see their rules for what is allowed per level Humours of Bandon is a trad set (speed 84) Speeds for dancers are faster than in other orgs Must do lead & side step (travel more to side than around) in steps World Irish Dance Association Pointe work for U12 & up Only sets on list are allowed; The Hunt is a trad set; Open Champs only dance R&L foot of trad sets Cannot move back foot from floor before bar 1 of any dance Max score 1 for missing a round, incomplete dances, starting off time (except Beg) Max score 50 points for falling on a non-slippery floor Max score 1 if not doing R&L foot of steps (except beginner leads) Can't be in top 3: timing issue, inappropriate steps per grade (see rules); Lt & Sngl Jig steps stay simple at all levels. Age is determined as of January 1 st
Costuming Beginner Novice are encouraged to wear school costumes but are allowed to wear solos PW & Champion are encouraged to wear modern solo costumes Solos may not have designs that distinguish the wearer's school Dresses must have sleeves;short sleeves only in Beg-Inter &school costumes Skirts must cover min. of 1/3 of upper thigh in back & min. 1 above knee Beginner A/B grades must wear team costume or skirt/trousers & top Black leather or patent shoes; no colored or diamante shoes Skirts must cover mid-thigh in back White poodle socks only for girls dancing solos; black tights ok for teams Dresses must have sleeves Ceilis wear team costumes Figure Invention may wear a specific costume for the dance, if appropriate Age 18 & up, dancers must wear black dance tights Solos not allowed in Bun or Ulmhuchan Grads Team costumes must be registered so not duplicated with other schools World Irish Dance Association Beginners must wear dk green, dk blue, red or grey skirt & a white polo Beginner boys wear black pants & white polo No embroidery, embellishments, etc for beginners No patent leather or colored shoes allowed Up to U15 in primary & intermediate wear team costumes & bun covers Traditional designs recommended for all costumes e No shoe buckles, diamante socks Cannot place in top 3 with costume infringements Max 50 point score for costume malfunction, laces undone