COMPETITION RULES 2021

1. The Feis will run in accordance with the Rules of An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha.
2. Entries will only be accepted from persons currently registered with An Coimisiún.
3. The lodgment of an entry will be taken to mean that teachers and pupils understand these rules and undertake to abide by them.
4. Objections must be lodged in writing within one hour of the announcement of the result of a competition accompanied by a fee of 50 Euro, which will be refunded if the objection is upheld.

5. Age will be taken as on 1st January 2021 (whatever age you turn this year, in 2021, you dance under that age all year long, e.g. if a dancer’s date of birth is 29 May 2002, he/she dances under 10 in the year 2012). Evidence of age may be requested, therefore dancers should have a valid ID with them in the event of a query as to their age.

6. The Adjudicators’ decisions are final.

7. Beginners Grade competitions are confined to dancers who have never won 1 st or 2 nd prize (also 3 rd prize, please refer to rule 9) in any competition for that particular dance. In Beginners Grade competitions only basic steps may be performed.

8. Primary Grade competitions are confined to dancers who have never won 1 st prize (or 2 nd prize, please refer to rule 10) for that particular dance other than in Beginners Grade.

9. If a Beginner competition has 6 or more dancers, the first two places advance to the next grade, regardless of ties. If a Beginner competition has 11 dancers or more, then the first 3 places advance to the next grade regardless of ties. (RCCEA – RTME ruling Sept. 2007).

10. If a Primary competition has 6 or more dancers, the first place advances to the next grade. If a Primary competition has 11 or more, the first and second places advance to the next grade, regardless of ties (RCCEA – RTME ruling June 2011).

11. Where there are five dancers or less for Beginners, Primary and Intermediate competitions, the results will not affect their grading.
12. Trophy competitions, for both light and heavy, at Beginner/Primary/Intermediate Level, dancers will dance 16 bars down the line in their chosen dance.

13. Intermediate Grade competitions are open to all dancers who have not previously won first prize for that particular dance in Intermediate or Open Grades under the same or higher age limits. If a dancer in Mainland Europe wins in Intermediate, they must advance into Open for the rest of the calendar year. If they do not win in Open, they may return to Intermediate at the start of the next calendar year. (RCCEA – RTME ruling Sept. 2007).

14. For all Beginner, Primary and Intermediate competitions (excluding trophy competitions) the 32 bar method will be applied.

15. Traditional Set Dance competitions are a choice out of 7 traditional, St. Patrick’s Day, Blackbird, Job of Journeywork, Garden of Daisies, King of the Fairies, Jockey to the Fair & Three Sea Captains. If you win a first place in any traditional set dance competition, you move on the next Level in all 7 traditional.

16. The Treble Reel competitions will have the theme “Fairy Tales” (from books or movies). The theme will not be mandatory. The competitions are FREE STYLE – therefore use of hands and non traditional dance wear are permitted.

17. Open Championships Comp. 101,102,103,104, will be judged by three adjudicators, as two solos and then an overall result. Dancers will be required to dance 48 bars of music for the Reel & Heavy Jig, and 40 for Slip Jig & Hornpipe & Modern Set. If there are more than 10 in the competition there may be a recall for the Modern Set round. The Open Championships will ALSO be open to Intermediate Dancers.

17a. Open Championships Comp.100 dancers will be required to dance 1st round Reel or Slip Jig, 2nd round Light Jig or Heavy Jig, and 3rd round Modern set or Trad. Set

17b. Adult Open Championships Comp.105, 106 & 107, will be judged by three adjudicators, dancers will be required to dance 32 bars of music for Light & Heavy Round, & Traditional Set. These competitions are open to Intermediate\Open dancers who have never won a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in Open Championship level and to dancers not Participating in a full Open Championship at the same feis. (Salzburg 2012). If there are more than 10 in the competition there may be a recall for the Traditional Set round.

18. A panel of three adjudicators will judge all Championships from under 10 upwards.

19. Music will be played at the recognized An Coimisiún speeds of Mainland Europe.

Dance	Beginners	Primary	Intermediate/Open
Reel	121/123	116/118	113
Light Jig	116	116	116
Slip Jig	121	118	113
Single Jig	123	123	121
Heavy Jig	89	79	73
Hornpipe	142	130	113

 

20. Traditional set dances can only be performed in the Traditional Set competitions, in the Adult Open Championship and in the Under 10 Open Championships.

21. The Feis organizers will use 40 bars for 2-hands and 3-hands and lead, body and the first figure for 4-hands and 6/8-hands.

22. Team dances (four hands and upward) must be performed in accordance with the Coimisiún handbook “Ar Rinci Ceili”.

23. 6/8 Hand Ceili Club competitions 48, 48a & 48b must be performed in accordance with the An Coimisiún handbook “Ar Rinci Foirne”. The Competition is Open to all ages and to all dancers who participate in Ceili Club competitions & DO NOT participate in Solo competitions, however as a Special concession 2 person per Team who participates in solo competitions may be included in the Ceili Club Team (after informing the local Organiser).

24. Ceili Club competitions 49 is a choice of follow dances, Rakes of Mallow, Siege of Ennis, Siege of Carrick, The Bridge of Athlone, Harvest Time Jig, Waves of Tory, Walls of Limerick, Bonfire Dance, An Rince Mor, Glencar Reel, Antrim Reel, Rince Fada, Haste to the Wedding. The Competition is open to all ages and to all dancers who DO NOT participate in Solo competitions, however as a Special concession 2 person per Team who participates in solo competitions may be included in the Ceili Club Team (after informing the local Organiser).

25. Competitors must be in costume and ready to dance 30 minutes before their competitions are scheduled.

26. Special Trophies (Traditional Sets, Treble Reel Competitions, Primary, Open and Adult Open Championship Trophies) may be retained by the winners.

27. Within the limits specified in the Rules of An Coimisiún, the Organisers may at their discretion cancel or combine competitions with insufficient entries.

28. Order and quiet must be kept in the hall, particularly while competitors are dancing.

29. The use of video and/or digital cameras in the hall is not permitted, except in beginner & Primary competitions (CRLG Ruling Dec.2011).

30. The dress code in accordance with An Coimisiún rules will be strictly observed. For the sake of modesty and in the interest of safety to young people, dancers will not be permitted to walk around the Feis scantily dressed. The Costume Rules of An Coimisiún, as amended, also apply in Mainland Europe; it can be found in the “Download” section on www.clrg.ie for reference. Female adult dancers participating in competitions entitled ‘adult competition’ and/or ‘adult grade competition’ (both solo and team) are required to wear tights of a denier not less than 70 (CLRG Ruling March 2015).

31. Only Feis officials may approach the adjudicators during competition sessions.

32. The Feis organisers cannot accept any liability for injury or loss or damage to property while on the premises.

33. All Beginners and Primary dancers of all age groups may only wear a class costume, simple dancewear or appropriate attire (skirt and top/blouse, simple dress for girls and ladies, trousers and t-shirt/shirt for boys and gents. Make-up is not permitted for any dancer in the first two grades up to and including the Under 12 age group worldwide.

34. An Coimisiun has ruled that from 1st January each year, that no block, en pointe, stationary or moving, be allowed to be performed for all ages up to and including the under 12 age group worldwide. The Under 12 Age Group will be allowed to toe walk from September 1st.

35. By entering in competitions, dancers (or their legal representatives, in case of minors) consent to their names being stated in the feis results and in the public Internet archives of Feisbase or any other feis entry/results system as may replace it.

36. No refunds will be made.