Competition Guide

Why Compete?

• Competitions help motivate students to set individual goals and improve their technique.

• Competitive Irish dancers have the opportunity to travel and meet other Irish dancers from around the world.

• Improving technical skills in dance takes a great deal of self discipline, patience, focus, hard work, and commitment.

• Dancers who are dedicated to competing and advancing through the levels through hard work will become better technical dancers and learn valuable life skills. 

Irish Dance Organizations

There are several competitive Irish dance organizations around the world that offer either open or closed platform Irish dance competitions. Open platform competitions are open for any dancer, from any school, to participate. Closed platform competitions are limited to only those who belong to a particular organization. 

In 2016, Jennie registered with the open platform Irish dance organization Cumann Rince Náisiúnta (CRN). Scoil Rince Bréifne Ó Ruairc competitive dancers have the opportunity to compete in any CRN feis or feile, and the CRN Regional, National (USA), and World championship competitions (held in Ireland every year). Bréifne Ó Ruairc competitive dancers may also compete in open platform competitions held by any other open platform Irish dance organization.

What is CRN?

Cumann Rince Náisiúnta (koo-mun rin-ka now-shun-tuh)

CRN was established in 1982 in Dublin, Ireland by Ita Cadwell, as an offshoot from a closed platform organization. CRN believes in honesty, justice, and fairness in competitions. CRN’s motto is: “Do not do to others what you would not like done to you.” Ita Cadwell is quoted as saying, “The honest road is the right and just road to take, but it is also a very hard and difficult road to take.”

CRN is widely known as a traditional Irish dance organization. It has successfully maintained the integrity of traditional dances, while actively encouraging the development of new and innovative work. Great thought was put into the developmental levels of students and their capacity to execute work in solo dances.

Five grades/levels of dance were established. In an ongoing effort to honor tradition and continually protect the developmental process of dancers, a grading system operates in all 5 levels. This system ensures that appropriate technique is being taught at each level.

CRN is committed to protecting the integrity and purity of the Irish dance tradition. CRN is very proud of the standard of dance education among its members. This standard was achieved through establishing a compulsory and rigorous teacher training course and requires 2 to 3 years of supervised training in Ireland (students who do not live in Ireland usually complete this curriculum in 3 to 5 years). Jennie completed this training course in 2023, earning the ODCRN qualification by passing several practical and written exams. CRN adjudicators must complete an additional 2 years of supervised study, taught by recognized trainers within CRN. Additionally, the instructor examining panel members are also required to pursue continuing education.

For more information on CRN, please visit their website: www.crn.ie

Find them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CRNCumannRinceNaisiunta

GENERAL INFORMATION

In CRN, a competition with 1 to 2 adjudicators is called a feile (pronounced FAY-luh). Feis (pronounced FESH) is another general term used for Irish dance competitions, and typically has 3 or more adjudicators.

COMPETITION AGE

A dancer’s competition age is what she/he is on September 1 of that competition year.

The competition year runs from September 1 to August 31.

Age as of September 1, 2023 is used for September 1, 2023-August 31, 2024.

COMPETITION AGE GROUPS

Age groups used at major competitions (Regionals, North American Open, Irish Open, Qualifying Round)

·   BUNGHRAD - Under 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 18, and over 18

·   ULLMHUCHAN - Under 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, and over 18

·   MEANGHRAD - Under 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, and over 19

·   ARDGHRAD - Under 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and over 21

·   CRAOBHGHRAD - Under 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and over 21

School-hosted feiles use these age groups as a guide and will combine age groups depending on entries.

For dancers who want to progress through the levels, competing at a school-hosted feile is beneficial. In order for a dancer to advance levels with a 1st place win, there must be 7 dancers competing. School-hosted feiles will often combine age groups, which allows dancers an additional opportunity for advancement.

Examples of What Under and Over means:

Under 10 Age Group: means Age 9 and under as of Sept 1st of that competition year.

Over 18 Age Group: means Age 18 and over as of Sept 1st of that competition year.

SOLO COMPETITION LEVELS

1. BUNGHRAD (Boon Grahd)

2. ULLMHUCHAN GRAD (Oowl-Voo-Kahn Grahd)

3. MEANGHRAD (Man Grahd)

4. ARDGHRAD (Ord Grahd)

5. CRAOBHGHRAD (Crave Grahd)

Bunghrad Dances

1. Reel (soft shoe)

2. Slip jig (soft shoe)

3. Single jig (soft shoe)

4. Light jig (soft shoe)

Ullmhúchán, Meanghrad, Ardghrad, Craobhghrad Dances

1. Reel (soft shoe)

2. Slip jig (soft shoe)

3. Single jig (soft shoe)

4. Heavy jig (hard shoe)

5. Hornpipe (hard shoe)

Jennie has created a feis preparation guide to help dancers understand which steps they will be expected to perform in a competition.

What grade (level) does a dancer compete?

• Any dancer new to competing is encouraged to register for bunghrad and/or ullmhuchan. In some cases, older or more advanced dancers may be permitted to start competing at the meanghrad level, even if they have never competed before. This decision will be based on their age, skill level, technique, and overall goals.

• There is no CRN rule regarding the minimum or maximum number of dances a dancer can compete at a single competition.

• Dancers may compete in different levels at the same competition (bunghrad reel & ullmhúchán reel).

• Dancers may compete in any bunghrad, ullmhúchán, or meanghrad dance until they win a 1st place in that dance.

• Once a dancer receives a 1st place, it affects their competitive status and the dances they may compete at the next competition:

  • Winning a 1st place in a bunghrad dance:

    • • • The dancer must compete a higher level in that dance at the next competition. They may no longer compete that dance in bunghrad.

  • Winning a 1st place in an ullmhúchán dance:

    • • • The dancer must compete a higher level in that dance at the next competition. They may no longer compete that dance in bunghrad or in ullmhúchán.

  • Winning a 1st place in a meanghrad dance:

    • • • The dancer must compete a higher level in that dance at the next competition. They may no longer compete that dance in meanghrad, ullmhúchán, or in bunghrad.

  • Winning a 1st place in an ardghrad dance:

    • • • The dancer may no longer compete that dance in meanghrad, ullmhúchán, or in bunghrad. They remain in ardghrad in that dance. They do not move up to craobhghrad in that dance until they become an open champion.

  • In bunghrad, ullmhúchán, and meanghrad, whenever the number of competitors is less than seven, the winner will not be placed out of that level unless the adjudicator announces specifically during the presentation of the awards that the dancer “moves up.” If there are at least 3 dancers in the competition, the win counts as a "tick." When a dancer accumulates 3 ticks in a dance in a particular grade, they must move up to the next level.

QUALIFYING TO COMPETE IN AN “AWARD” COMPETITION

• The “award” is a way to recognize the best dancers of each level. Dancers must qualify to compete in an award competition.

Qualifying to compete in an award competition:

1. Dancers who receive 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Place in a dance at the CRN qualifying round competition will qualify to compete in the award competition at the North American Open and Irish Open.

2. Dancers who place in the top 25% at Regionals during the first day of competition will qualify to compete in the award competition at Regionals, the North American Open, and the Irish Open.

“Qualifying” means you will get to compete the following dances and the scores will be combined for the results:

• Bunghrad: Reel & slip jig

• Ullmhúchán: Reel & hornpipe

• Meanghrad: Reel & treble jig

• Ardghrad: Reel & contemporary set dance in jig time

Dancers may only compete one level in the award competition. If they qualify for more than one level, they need to choose which one they want to compete in.

Award competitions are held at:

• Regional Championships

• North American Open Championships

• Irish Open Championships

Outcomes of placing in an award competition:

1. Bunghrad

• A dancer who wins 1st place in the bunghrad award competition at Regionals with at least 7 competitors will no longer be able to compete bunghrad reel or slip jig. Their competitive status is officially ullmhuchan for reel and slip jig.

• A dancer who wins 1st place in the bunghrad award competition at the North American Open or the Irish Open will no longer be able to compete any bunghrad dances. Their competitive status is officially ullmhúchán in all dances.

2. Ullmhúchán

• A dancer who wins 1st place in the ullmhuchan award competition at Regionals with at least 7 competitors will no longer be able to compete ullmhuchan reel or hornpipe. Their competitive status is officially meanghrad for reel and hornpipe.

• A dancer who wins 1st place in the ullmhúchán award competition at the North American Open of the Irish Open will no longer be able to compete any bunghrad or ullmhúchán dances. Their competitive status is officially meanghrad in all dances.

3. Meanghrad

• A dancer who wins 1st place in the meanghrad award competition at Regionals with at least 7 competitors will no longer be able to compete meanghrad reel or heavy jig. Their competitive status is officially ardghrad for reel and heavy jig.

• A dancer who wins 1st place in the meanghrad award competition at the North American Open or the Irish Open will no longer be able to compete any bunghrad, ullmhuchan, or meanghrad dances. Their competitive status is officially ardghrad in all dances.

• Dancers who win 1st in the meanghrad award competition at the Irish Open or North American Open Qualify for the World Open.

4. Ardghrad

• A dancer who wins 1st place in the ardghrad award competition at Regionals with at least 7 competitors will be considered an open champion (craobhghrad) dancer from that day forward. They will no longer compete in ardghrad in any dance.

• A dancer who wins 1st place in the ardghrad award competition at the North American Open or the Irish Open (with any number of competitors) will be considered an open champion (craobhghrad) dancer from that day forward. They will no longer compete in ardghrad in any dance.

• Dancers who win 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th place in the ardghrad award competition at the Irish Open or North American Open qualify for the World Open.

HOW TO BECOME AN “OPEN CHAMPION” (CRAOBHGHRAD)

WIN 1ST PLACE IN A CHAMPIONSHIP

• To compete in a championship at Regionals, the North American Open, or the Irish Open, a dancer must have received 1st place in 3 dances in meanghrad or ardghrad and 1st place in the other 2 dances in ullmhuchan.

• To compete in a championship at Worlds, a dancer must have received 1st place in all 5 dances in either meanghrad or ardghrad.

OR WIN 1ST PLACE IN THE ARDGHRAD AWARD COMPETITION at Regionals, North American Open, or Irish Open (must qualify to compete in this, see “award” section for more information)

AT WHAT COMPETITIONS CAN I BECOME AN OPEN CHAMPION?

• REGIONALS (AWARD AND CHAMPIONSHIP)

  • Takes place in the fall

• NORTH AMERICAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS (AWARD AND CHAMPIONSHIP)

  • Date is always Presidents’ Day weekend in February

• IRISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS (AWARD AND CHAMPIONSHIP)

  • Location is always in Ireland

  • Date: Usually last weekend in April or first weekend in May

• WORLD OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS (CHAMPIONSHIP)

  • Location is always in Ireland

  • Date: Bank holiday in June

WHAT DANCES ARE IN THE ARDGRAD AWARD?

AT REGIONALS, NORTH AMERICAN OPEN, IRISH OPEN

REEL

Soft shoe dance with contemporary steps: The standard of these steps should be a minimum of ardghrad. Dancers at this level sometimes have custom steps to show off their strengths as well as incorporate new, contemporary movements.

CONTEMPORARY SET DANCE

(In heavy jig rhythm)

Hard shoe dance with contemporary steps: These steps are choreographed to accompany specific Irish set dance tunes.

WHAT DANCES ARE IN A CHAMPIONSHIP?

AT REGIONALS, NORTH AMERICAN OPEN, IRISH OPEN, WORLD OPEN

CONTEMPORARY SET DANCE

(IN HEAVY JIG RHYTHM)

Hard shoe dance with contemporary steps: These steps are choreographed to accompany specific Irish set dance tunes. 

REEL (or slip jig is sometimes a secondary option)

Soft shoe dance with contemporary steps: The standard of these steps should be a minimum of ardghrad. Dancers at this level sometimes have custom steps to show off their strengths as well as incorporate new, contemporary movements.

TRADITIONAL SET DANCE

Hard shoe dance with traditional steps:

Dancers compete one of the follow traditional set dances (in hard shoe) dependent on their competitive age:

St. Patrick’s Day (under 13)

Humours of Bandon (under 15)

Job of Journeywork (under 17)

Blackbird (under 19)

White Blanket (under 21)

Garden of Daisies (over 21)