Competitive Irish Dance 

BENEFITS OF COMPETITION

CRN - REGIONS

CRN is comprised of 11 Regions.  *Our school are members of the North American Western Region.  

• North America West Region *
• North America - Eastern Region
• Dublin Region
• North Leinster region
• Shannon Western region
• South Leinster region

Every CRN school must be a member of a Region. Every class must be registered to a Region. Every dancer must be registered to a region.

For Regional Championships only, dancers must compete in the Region to which they are registered. All dancers may compete in one Regional Championships only in any dancing calendar year.

McConnell Irish Dance is a registered member of Cumann Rince Náisiúnta (CRN), based in Dublin, Ireland. Students compete in CRN Open Platform competitions, which take place at the Local, Regional, National, and World levels.

CRN also offers Digital Competitions where dancers submit videos and compete with dancers all over the world.

McConnell Irish Dance is proud to have TWO certified Irish Dance Instructors for our school. 

• Shayleen McConnell Finucan is a fully certified Irish Dance teacher achieving her ODCRN certification in Solo & Ceili Dancing from Cumann Rince Náisiúnta(CRN).  Shayleen is currently training for her ADCRN Adjudicator's certification.
• Wendy Havens is a certified TMCRN achieving her certification in Solo & Ceili Dancing from Cumann Rince Náisiúnta(CRN). 

CUMANN RINCE NÁISIÚNTA 

CRN was established in 1982 in Dublin, Ireland by the late Ita Cadwell. CRN is the only organisation whose competitions successfully operate with the Open Platform, where any dancer from any teacher, from any part of the world or any organisation can compete.

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”. CRN’s founder Ita Cadwell used the following phrase: “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 dance organisation and it has successfully maintained the integrity of traditional dances, while actively encouraging the development of new and innovative work. Great thought was put into considering the developmental levels of students and their capacity to execute work in solo dances.

Five (5) grades/levels of dance were established. In an ongoing effort to honour tradition and continually protect the developmental process of dancers a grading system is in operation in all 5 levels and grades. 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 two to three years of supervised training in Ireland CRN Adjudicators must complete an additional two years of supervised study, taught by recognised trainers with Cumann Rince Náisiúnta. Additionally, the Instructor Examining Panel are also required to pursue continuing education.

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

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

​2023 - 2024  COMPETITION DATES​

• OCT 7 - 8       CRN WEST Regionals (Sandusky, OH)
• OCT 14          CRN Southern Cross Australia Feis (Hybrid / On-Line)
• OCT 14          CRN Berkshire Feile (Pittsfield, MS)
• DEC 2            CRN WEST Christmas Feis (Champagne IL)
• DEC 9            CRN Rince Ri Feile, Philadelphia PA
• FEB 17 - 19    CRN North American Nationals (Pittsburg, PA)
• APR 13          CRN Minnesota Feile (Minneapolis, MN)
• APR 27 - 28   CRN Irish Open Championships (Dublin, Ireland)
• MAY 26          CRN Canadian Open Championship (Wpg, MB)
• JUN 27 - 30   World Championships (Killarney, Ireland)

LEVELS & DANCES

5 LEVELS OF CRN IRISH DANCE​

BUNGHRÁD

• Reel, Slip Jig, Single Jig, Light Jig

Regional & National Award dances

•  Reel & Slip Jig

ULLMHUCHÁN

• Reel, Slip Jig, Single Jig, Heavy Jig, Hornpipe

Regional & National Award dances

• Reel & Hornpipe

MEANGHRÁD

• Reel, Slip Jig, Single Jig, Heavy Jig, Hornpipe

Regional & National Award dances

• Reel & Heavy Jig

ARDGHRÁD

• Reel, Slip Jig, Single Jig, Heavy Jig, Hornpipe, Traditional Set, Contemporary Set

Regional & National Award Dances

• Reel & Contemporary Set (Jig)

CRAOBHGHRÁD

• Reel, Slip Jig, Single Jig, Heavy Jig, Hornpipe, Traditional Set, Contemporary Set

Regional & Nationals Award Dances

• Reel, Traditional Set, & Contemporary Set  

ADVANCEMENT

MOVING THROUGH CRN LEVELS

Dancers compete in each dance for Levels 1 - 5 and move up, one dance at a time. 

Dancers may compete in multiple levels at the same time for CRN competitions but once they move out of a dance, they no longer compete in that dance again. 

DANCERS ADVANCE BY;

• Placing 1st in a competition with 7 or more dancers
• Placing 1st in a competition where the adjudicator determines they are ready to move up
• Placing 1st in a competition 3 times where there are 3 or more competitors
• Placing 1st in a Regional Award (moving up in only the dances they compete with in the award)
• Placing 1st in a National Award (moving up in all dances in the level they compete in) ​ 

ADVANCEMENT RULES

Dancers cannot "skip ahead" or advance unless they move up according to CRN regulations.

Regardless of the organisation hosting the competition's marking system or recommendations for move ups, dancers will only advance according to CRN standards.

 

COMPETITION RULES

WHICH LEVEL TO COMPETE

Instructors determine the appropriate level and dances students learn and compete with for all solo and award competitions. 

• In most cases dancers begin in Bunghrád, with the exception of students who come to competition with previous experience.​

CLASS ENROLMENT

CRN requires dancers to be currently enrolled in a class for the dance or levels they are competing.    

• Dancers who've moved up in some dances within a level must still continue to take the class until they advance in all dances for that particular level. 

Although dancers may have learned the steps for the dances in their level, they still require regular lessons with qualified instructors to work on the most important aspects needed for advancement, including technique, rhythm, timing, and style.  

NON-PROFESSIONAL STATUS

Competing dancers are not permitted to teach and must maintain a non-professional Irish dance status while they are competing.

HOW TO ENTER

ORGANISED BY THE SCHOOL

Competition registration organised by the school to assist families and insure there are no errors with entries.

Students will receive notice via email once the competition registration is available and a deadline offered for registration.  Instructors will assist dancers to determine which dances and levels are most appropriate for students.

CRN permits dancers to compete in more than one level at a time which helps dancers progress at their own pace for each dance, rather than by level.  

COMPETITIVE DANCES

BUNGHRÁD-ULLMHUCHÁN-MEANGHRÁD

Levels 1 - 3 are standardised steps passed down through the founders and teachers in CRN.  The steps and degree of difficulty increases with each level, however the most important focus for Level 1 - 3 is technique (turn out, foot placement), timing, and knowledge of steps.  

Once dancers learn the steps, they must then perfect technique in order to advance.  This is done through hard work in class with instructors. The work dancers do in Level 1 - 3 prepares them for the extremely difficult material in Level 4 - 5 and this takes time for dancers to develop.

It is rare for a dancer to move out of a newly learned dance and in some cases, it may take years for a dancer to advance.  Competitive Irish dance requires dancers to achieve the highest standard before advancing.  This may seem frustrating for dancers who may feel they are ready to advance, however Irish dance is a culturally based activity and the high standard is steeped in tradition carried through generations.  

 

ARDGHRÁD-CRAOBHGHRÁD

Level 4 - 5 dances are unique material, choreographed by teachers. The steps for our Level 4 - 5 dances are choreographed by Shayleen McConnell Finucan are the artistic property of McConnell Irish Dance. 

 

Level 4 - 5 material may no be used in competition or performance without permission.  A dancer who leaves the school is no longer permitted to compete or perform these steps and will face sanctions from CRN or other organisations for unauthorised use of a former teacher's material.  

 

Level 4 - 5 dances are tailored for the age and abilities of dancers and the steps dancers learn are determined by the instructor.

 

Dancers who wish to have unique and individual material choreographed for them will need to take private lessons as this cannot be done in a class setting.  For dancers competing at high levels, solo lessons are highly recommended.

 

QUALIFICATION FOR REGIONALS, NATIONALS, IRISH OPEN, AND WORLDS

Qualification for dance year September 2023 to August 2024 will be automatic for all dancers as follows:

• Regional Qualification – Dancers will have automatic qualification to the grade that they are in at the time of the entry closing date for the 2023 Calendar Regional Championships.
• Irish Opens/North American Open Qualification - Dancers will have automatic qualification to the award grade that they danced in Regional Championships, or the grade that they are in at the time of the entry closing date for the 2024 events. 
• World Open Championships – Dancers that are Craobhghrád, Fully Ardghrád, or those that have a minimum of 3 Ardghrád dances and 2 Meanghrád dances will automatically qualify to compete in the 2024 World Open Championships.

COMPETITION ADJUDICATION

CRN have one of the fairest systems of marking in the Irish dance world.  Instructors and Adjudicators go through the toughest training and certification process, above any other organisation. 

Adjudicators generally look for the same qualities in a winner; knowledge of the dance, proper technique, and timing are all essential for advancement. 

Irish dance is an artistic interpretation and therefore dancers bring their unique style to a step. Some adjudicators favour a dancer's stylistic qualities while others may not find as pleasing. With this in mind, it's important for dancers not to get too caught up in placement on the podium and results for every competition. 

Dancers who are ready to move on will eventually do so, but it may take time for them to advance.  With hard work and perseverance, all dancers will advance.

UNDER 6 - NO GRADES

No grades apply to children up to the age of 6.  Dancers under 6 are permitted to dance in all solo competitions until they are of an age to move on.  Once they are of age, they can no longer compete in the non-graded competitions.

GRADES OR LEVEL 1 - 5

Adjudicator marks and comments for CRN Solo Competitions are not shared with dancers. Instructors are already aware of what is necessary for dancers to improve in order to move up in grades and will continue to work with the dancer until they are ready for advancement.

CRN determines the minimum number of dancers who are placed (receive medals or trophies) in a particular competition, based on the number of competitors.  Adjudicators have the option to place more than the required minimum and to move dancers on, without the minimum requirements for 7 in a competition.

Whenever the number of competitors is less than seven the winner will not advance unless specified by the adjudicator.  This will be announced during results.  If a competitor wins a graded dance three times, with three or more competitors in the competition at the time of winning, that dancer moves on to the next grade in that dance

Instructors keep track of dancer’s placings and results are updated in the Student Portal 

MERIT AWARD - HIGHLY COMMENDED

AWARD & CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

An award or championship is a competition where dancers All dancers start with 100 points for each dance in a championship competition Awards & Championships are 200 -300 points total.
Merit Award -dance who achieves a mark of 50 - 64 points.
Under 50 no prize is awarded.
 
Understanding award markings can be difficult for those who aren't familiar with the point system. The mark the dancer receives is NOT the score the adjudicator gave the dancer, instead the number reflects the position of the dancer compared to other dancers in the competition (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc.).  The point system can be confusing for young dancers and parents new to awards and championships.  It's important to remind dancers of the scoring system before their marks are announced to avoid any confusion.  
 
The marking system for Awards, Solo, and Team Championships in all CRN run events with less than 25 competitors

• First Place 200 Second Place 83 Third Place 34 Fourth Place 15 Fifth Place 6 Sixth Place 3 Seventh Place 1

The marking system for Awards, Solo, and Team Championships in all CRN run events with 25 competitors, or more.

• First Place 200 Second Place 83 Third Place 34 Fourth Place 15 Fifth Place 6 Sixth Place 5 Seventh Place 4 Eight Place 3 Ninth Place 2 Tenth Place 1

The marking system for team Championships in the Regional, Irish Open, North American Open, & World Open Championships

• First Place 200 Second Place 83 Third Place 34 Fourth Place 15 Fifth Place 6 Sixth Place 3 Seventh Place 1

 COMPETITION RESULTS  

Competition Results are recorded by the school for each competition.  Dancers can view their results in the Student Portal (Dancer's Name / Skills). 

Results presentations at competitions are always an exciting time.  Dancers gather together with their friends and schoolmates and parents cheer from the audience.  Teachers organise medals and trophies and take pride in moments where they place a medal on their dancer's or stand beside them at the podium.  

Results can also be a stressful time.  Dancers have trained and worked hard for the competition are anxious to advance dances and levels. Teachers, parents and family are also hoping for best results for their dancers.  When results are not what we are hoping for, it can be an upsetting time and we understand there will be disappointment.

ACCEPTING RESULTS GRACEFULLY

Competitive Irish dance teaches us many valuable life skills including how to win gracefully and how to accept defeat.  It's natural to be disappointed when dancer's placement isn't what they hoped, however upset with results should never be displayed in front of others. 

Adjudicators watch results and pay attention to dancers who do not accept placements according to CRN standards.  Displays of upset in public are noted by other schools, teachers, and parents and leave a lasting impression which dancers do not want.

With this in mind, it's important for dancers not to get too caught up in placement on the podium and results for every competition. Dancers who are ready to move on will eventually do so, but it may take time for them to advance.  With hard work and perseverance, all dancers will advance.

RESULTS - DO'S

• Get excited for results time. 
• Maker sure dancers are fully in costume.
• Have fun with family and dance friends.
• Cheer for your dance friends and other schools.
• Offer congratulations to dance friends on their placements.

RESULTS - DONT'S

• Show upset with your results in public, no drama and tears please.  
• Question adjudicator results or marks.
• Compare your results to other dancers.
• Complain to your teacher or other parents about placements.
• Never approach an adjudicator or scrutineer at a competition to discuss results.

CRN has a strict code of behaviour for dancers, families, and teachers.  Dancers or family members causing upset or issues at competitions may receive sanctions against them or permanently banned from competition.

SANCTIONS & SUSPENSIONS