The words we are about to introduce to you will frequently be heard around classes and competitions. Please feel free to contact us with questions and enjoy the experience of Irish Dancing!

An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha: The Irish Dance Commission which is located in Dublin, Ireland. The commission oversees the certification of all teachers and adjudicators and the creation and implementation of competition rules. It also implements and monitors the rules and regulations for Irish dance teachers and the annual registration of teachers and dance schools throughout the world.

T.C.R.G: These letters represent a certified and registered teacher with ‘An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha’ Dublin, Ireland. This certification recognizes that the individual has been through and successfully completed the three-day certification testing process.

Soft Shoes:                

Hard Shoes:

All dancers at the Finnegan School will begin lessons in soft shoes. Hard shoe classes will only be offered in the first year to those dancers planning to compete in the new year.

Soft Shoe Dances:  Reel, Light Jig, Single Jig, Slip Jig.  These dances are what your child will be learning in their soft shoes.

Hard Shoe Dances: Treble Jig, Hornpipe, Set Dance, Treble Reel. All competitive dancers will learn these dances; the treble reel is generally taught as a fun dance, often danced at dance outs. The ‘set dance’ is not taught until a dancer progresses to the ‘open’ level of competition.

Feis (Pronounced ‘fesh’): Literally means ‘festival’ in Irish. It has now become known as an Irish dancing competition; these take place both nationally and internationally throughout the year. The most common ‘feis season’ begins locally in February and runs until November.
Feiseanna (Fesh-anna): Plural form of ‘feis’.

Oireachtas (o-rock-tus): This is the Gaelic form of ‘Championship’. Throughout the calendar year each region has their regional Oireachtas, which is the qualifying competition for the North American Championships as well has international competitions, such as the British Nationals, Great Britain’s, All Ireland and World Championships. Competitors eligible and selected to dance at the Eastern Canadian Oireachtas will be selected by the teachers and will receive letters inviting them to do so.

Ceili (Kay-lee)/ Figure Dances: These dancers are done in multiples of 2,3,4,6,8,12,and 16. Not all of the ceili dances can be done in competition. However, the ones that can be done must be in accordance with the teachers’ manual.  Although these dances can be entered at some local competitions, they most commonly appear at such competitions as the Oireachtas, North American Nationals, All Ireland Championships and World Championships.  These dances are fun and are great at promoting teamwork, sportsmanship and co-ordination.

Solos: Solo dancers are trained to perform individually. Although dancers may learn the same material (within the same school), when competing they perform independently.

Dance – out: This is when the school is booked to have children perform at a special event. Often dancers are requested for fundraisers, parties, weddings etc. Of course, a major time for dance-outs is in March on and around Saint Patrick’s Day. Although there are no classes the week of March break, it is likely that dancers will be asked to dance-out with classmates.

Costume Language

Bubble socks/Poodle socks: A specific type of socks worn by competitive dancers. These can be purchased at competitions and some small Irish stores.

School/Class Costume: Each school has a school costume, which is a dress designed by the teacher(s) for children to wear when competing in the beginner levels of feiseanna, when ceili teams are entered into competition or for performing at dance-outs. The costumes are all made using the same colours, both as a representation of the school and also to create uniformity in team dances. Some schools have the same dresses for all dancers regardless of age and level; however, some schools have variations based on age and level.

Solo Costume: Dancers who compete in the Open/Prizewinner level through to Championships wear these costumes. These costumes are often more elaborate than the school costumes and are designed by the dancer, parents and teachers.  They are created for the individual dancer, therefore, colours and patterns are put together with the dancers input and personality in mind. These costumes are a representation of the dancer themselves.