Rules
Standard Rules for North West Feiseanna
As of June 2024
CLICK HERE FOR A DOWNLOADABLE COPY
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
1. Ages to be taken from 1st January 2024.
2. Entries will only be accepted from schools currently registered with An Coimisiun.
3. Lodgement of entries at a Feis implies that you accept the rules relating to the Feis in their entirety as laid down by the NWRC and An Coimisiun, and that you accept that the Results of the Feis will be published on the NWRC website.
ADJUDICATORS & MUSICIANS
4. The Adjudicators decisions are final. The Adjudicators should not be approached by any persons other than the Feis Committee.
5. Pupils of an Adjudicator employed at a particular feis may not take part in the Feis even if the adjudicator is judging alternative age groups.
6. Any Adjudicator from outside the NW Region cannot judge an Open Feis in the North West Region within 6 months of their last adjudication in the region. Any Adjudicator from the North West Region cannot judge an Open Feis in the North West Region within 3 months of their last adjudication in the region.
7. An Adjudicator from outside the North West Region may not adjudicate a Class Feis in the North West Region in the 6 months leading up to adjudicating an Open Feis in the Region.
8. All musicians should be competent and abide by the prescribed An Coimisiun metronomic speeds below.
Novice
Reel 122-124 Light jig 116 Single jig 124 Slip Jig 124 Heavy Jig 96 Hornpipe 144
Primary
Reel 116-118 Light jig 116 Single jig 124 Slip Jig 120 Heavy Jig 76 Hornpipe 118
Intermediate/Open
Reel 113 Slip Jig 113 Heavy Jig 73 Hornpipe 113
Traditional Set Dances
Blackbird 144 St. Patrick’s Day 94 Job of Journeywork 138 Garden of Daisies 138 King of Fairies 130
Three Sea Captains 96 Jockey to the Fair 90
NOVICE AND PRIMARY GRADE
9. There will be a minimum of 4 Novice Light Dances up to and including Under 11. Only the most basic Steps may be performed in this grade. Children entering the Novice cannot enter the Primary for the same dances.
10. All Novice, Primary, Intermediate, Preliminary and Open Competitions are open to all Regions.
11. Any competitions in Novice and Primary, in which there are 5 or fewer dancers shall not count for grading purposes. However a Dancer may only win 3 such competitions and they then must move up to the next grade. If there are 6-10 dancers in any Novice or Primary competition, then just the 1st placed dancer must move up to the next grade. If there are 11-20 dancers, 1st and 2nd placed dancers must move up to the next grade. If there are 21 or more dancers then 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed dancers must move up to the next grade.
12. There will be no restriction on the step content performed in the Primary grade.
13. A Novice Dancer is a dancer who has not gained a place that requires them to move up in a Novice or higher Grade competition.
14. A Primary Dancer is a dancer who has not gained a place that requires them to move up in a Primary or higher Grade competition.
15. Novice/Primary Trophy Competitions are confined to dancers who have never won a Novice/Primary Trophy. Any Light Dance can be performed for the Trophy but it must have been danced in the Novice/Primary section on the day of the Feis.
16. A winner of a Novice/Primary Trophy Competition must move up to the next grade for both the Dance they performed to win the Trophy and the Trophy competition itself.
17. Only skirts and tops or a simple current class costume may be worn in the Novice and Primary Grades.
18. In the event of there being no provision for a particular age group, a dancer may dance up an age group, however on attaining first place in any dance, that dancer must remain in the higher grade for that dance for the remainder of the year.
19. At any one Feis, a Novice or Primary dancer may only dance each Solo Dance, the Light Trophy and the Heavy Trophy in ONE GRADE only.
20. Should there be 5 or fewer dancers in any Novice or Primary competition then the Feis Organiser reserves the right to combine age groups to make a double age group. Any dancer/s required to subsequently move up in a double age competition must remain in the higher grade for that dance for the remainder of the year.
21. If a feis syllabus does not provide a heavy dance section in the Novice grade, a dancer may perform their heavy jig or hornpipe in the Primary grade, and be offered a choice of either Novice or Primary speed. That is, either 76 or 96 for the heavy jig and either 118 or 144 for the hornpipe.
INTERMEDIATE GRADE
22. An Intermediate Dancer is one who has never won a first place in that particular dance in their present age group.
23. Intermediate Trophy competitions are confined to dancers who have never won an Intermediate Trophy in their present age group. Any Light Dance can be performed for the Trophy but it must have been danced in the Intermediate section on the day of the Feis.
24. A winner of an Intermediate Trophy Competition must move up to the next grade for both the Dance they performed to win the Trophy and the Trophy competition itself.
25. At any one Feis, an Intermediate dancer may only dance each Solo Dance, the Light Trophy and the Heavy Trophy, in ONE GRADE only, with the exception of intermediate dancers wishing to enter the Preliminary or Open Trophy/Championship.
26. In the event of there being no provision for a particular age group, then a dancer may dance up an age group, however on attaining first place in any dance, that dancer must remain in the higher grade for that dance for the remainder of the year.
27. If there are 6 or more dancers in any Intermediate Competition, then the 1st placed dancer must move up to the next grade, Any competition in which there are 5 or fewer dancers shall not count for grading purposes. However, a Dancer may only win 3 such competitions and they then must move up to the next grade.
28. Should there be 5 or fewer dancers in any Intermediate competition then the Feis Organiser reserves the right to combine age groups to make a double age group. Any dancer/s required to subsequently move up in a double age competition must remain in the higher grade for that dance for the remainder of the year
PRELIMINARY CHAMPIONSHIPS
29. A minimum number of three Adjudicators must officiate.
30. The first age group for a Preliminary Championship is Under 10.
31. Where a Preliminary Championship is held separate from an Open Championship, three rounds should be offered, namely; Reel or Slip Jig, Heavy Jig or Hornpipe and any Set Dance.
32. Where a Preliminary Championship is combined with an Open Championship, then the result should be taken from eligible dancers’ ranking after the first two rounds.
33. Where there are separate Preliminary and Open Championships, dancers can compete in both at the discretion of the Feis organiser.
34. Where a competitor wins two Preliminary Championships they must dance in Open Championship for a period of 12 months thereafter.
35. For grading purposes, two wins will be taken as being in any two year rolling period. Where a dancer does not win a second Preliminary within two years of winning their first Preliminary Championship, then the first win will be deemed as having expired and the dancer starts afresh.
36. Where there are 5 or fewer dancers in a Preliminary Championship that win will not normally be considered for grading purposes. However, where a dancer wins three Preliminary Championships regardless of the number of competitors in each competition, that dancer must dance in Open Championship for a period of 12 months thereafter.
37. Dances performed in a Preliminary Championships do not count for grading in solo competitions.
38. A Solo World Qualifier (in the previous 12 months) will NOT be eligible to compete in Preliminary Championships. This excludes dancers that auto qualified at their Regional or National Oireachtas due to lack of numbers.
39. Dancers placing 1st-3rd in an Open Championship with up to 20 competitors or 1st-5th in an Open Championship with more than 20 Competitors cannot compete in a Preliminary Championship for a period of 12 month.
OPEN GRADE
40. In all age groups any dancer who has previously won an Open Championship before a panel of at least three adjudicators does NOT have to dance Open if they are eligible for a lower grade.
41. In all age groups, (with the exception of under 6 and under 7), where solos and Championships are run separately, competitors must have performed 1 light dance and 2 heavy dances to be eligible for the Premier Trophy/Championship. This does not apply where solos are combined in with the Championship.
42. The wording 'Championship' will only be used where there is a panel of at least 3 adjudicators.
ALL GRADES
43. No block, en pointe, stationary or moving, will be allowed to be performed by any dancers up to and including the Under 11 Age Group. The Under 12 age group is also governed by this rule up until 1st September each year after which they are permitted to perform the movement.
44. Dancers must dance in their own age group for solo competitions if that age group is provided for.
45. Any competitor found to be using artificial carriage aids and subsequently refuses to remove them will be subject to disqualification from that particular competition. Medically prescribed apparatus, proof of which may be required, will be exempt from this.
FIGURE DANCING
46. Figure teams may contain up to 50% from a lower age group.
GENERAL FEIS RULES
47. Make up (including false eyelashes and tanner on the face) will not be permitted for dancers, in either solo or team competitions, up to and including the Under 10 age group, and any dancer in the first two grades (Novice and Primary) up to and including the Under 12 age group worldwide. This rule refers to the age group of the competition, not the actual age of the dancer. Leg tan is NOT part of this rule.
48. Any protest against breach of rules must be made be in writing, within 1 hour of the conclusion of the relevant competition and accompanied by a fee of £10.00, which will be refunded should the objection be upheld.
49. Medals will be awarded in accordance with the minimum requirements as laid down by the NWRC:
1 medal where there is 3 competitors
2 medals where there are 5 competitors
3 medals where there are 7 competitors
4 medals where there are 10 competitors and
1 medal for each additional 10 or part of 10 competitors.
50. The Feis Organiser reserves the right to cancel any competition should there be insufficient entries.
51. In the interest of Health, hairspray and any other aerosols must not be used in any of the dancing areas.
52. In accordance with the ruling laid down by An Coimisiun and in the interest of safety, dancers are asked to be suitably dressed at all times and should not undress in the competition halls.
53. Mobile phones and electronic games must be switched off in all of the dancing areas.
54. Abusive language and offensive behaviour will not be tolerated. Any person acting in such a way will be asked to leave the Feis.
55. Feis Organisers will, as far as is practicable, provide a stage surface suitable for dancing. However, the Feis Organisers cannot accept liability for injuries sustained whilst on the dancing areas. The lodgement of an entry will be deemed to be an acceptance of this provision by a dancer.
56. If parents have any constructive comments to make about any aspect of Feiseanna, these would be welcomed by the council and should be put in writing. It should be noted that anonymous correspondence cannot be dealt with.
57. Any Form of unauthorised photography which has the capability to capture a dancer’s image whilst in motion, using electronic or manual means, e.g. mobile phone, standard camera, video camcorder, cine recorder, commercial film, with or without flash enhancement, is expressly forbidden in competition.
TRANSFER RULES
TRANSFER_RULES.pdf (clrg.ie)
The administrative cost to Transfer a pupil is £10 per family payable to North West Regional Council.
COSTUME RULES
Updated_Costume_Rules_at_01_Jul_21.doc (live.com)
FEIS REGISTRATION
Feis Organisers must submit their syllabus to the FEIS SECRETARY for the NWRC Council for approval at least six weeks before the event.
Please EMAIL to Kingacademy@uwclub.net:
* a copy for approval and inclusion on the website
Please EMAIL:
* FORM 1 Completed Feis Approval Checklist
* FORM 2 Completed Syllabus Requirements Form
* FORM 3 Signed Feis Standards Guidelines Form
* the relevant REGISTRATION FEE of £200.
PLEASE NOTE THAT COMPULSORY FEIS INSURANCE of £100 - WHICH HAS BEEN ARRANGED BY THE NORTH WEST REGIONAL COUNCIL FOLLOWING ADVICE BY AN COIMISIUN, IS REQUIRED TO SECURE YOUR FEIS DATE. THIS INSURANCE IS A NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT.
THIS SHOULD BE PAID UPON REQUEST BY THE FEIS SECRETARY.
The North West Regional Council would like to emphasise that Feis Organisers should take care to ensure that every aspect of their Feis is of the best possible quality.
Feis Standards Guidelines (FORM 3), available to download at the top of this page, must be completed in full, signed and returned
before your Feis. Failure to do so may result in your Feis being cancelled.
Should there be sufficient legitimate complaints about the quality of a local Feis, then the Feis in question could be refused registration next year.
ALL OF THE FEIS REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE
FORM 1 Feis Approval Checkist
FORM 2 Syllabus Requirements Form
FORM 3 Feis Standards Guidelines
FEIS RESULTS
Feis Organisers are required to ensure that their Stage Managers record and announce the correct results following each competition.
Upon the conclusion of the Feis, all Feis Organisers are required to email their completed results for inclusion on the Website within 14 days of the Feis..
THE FEIS RESULTS FORM CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE
Open up the file, insert your results and save as the feis name - email to the Feis Secretary at
kingacademy@uwclub.net.
Please Note: Failure to do so may result in your Feis being refused next year.
As of June 2024
CLICK HERE FOR A DOWNLOADABLE COPY
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
1. Ages to be taken from 1st January 2024.
2. Entries will only be accepted from schools currently registered with An Coimisiun.
3. Lodgement of entries at a Feis implies that you accept the rules relating to the Feis in their entirety as laid down by the NWRC and An Coimisiun, and that you accept that the Results of the Feis will be published on the NWRC website.
ADJUDICATORS & MUSICIANS
4. The Adjudicators decisions are final. The Adjudicators should not be approached by any persons other than the Feis Committee.
5. Pupils of an Adjudicator employed at a particular feis may not take part in the Feis even if the adjudicator is judging alternative age groups.
6. Any Adjudicator from outside the NW Region cannot judge an Open Feis in the North West Region within 6 months of their last adjudication in the region. Any Adjudicator from the North West Region cannot judge an Open Feis in the North West Region within 3 months of their last adjudication in the region.
7. An Adjudicator from outside the North West Region may not adjudicate a Class Feis in the North West Region in the 6 months leading up to adjudicating an Open Feis in the Region.
8. All musicians should be competent and abide by the prescribed An Coimisiun metronomic speeds below.
Novice
Reel 122-124 Light jig 116 Single jig 124 Slip Jig 124 Heavy Jig 96 Hornpipe 144
Primary
Reel 116-118 Light jig 116 Single jig 124 Slip Jig 120 Heavy Jig 76 Hornpipe 118
Intermediate/Open
Reel 113 Slip Jig 113 Heavy Jig 73 Hornpipe 113
Traditional Set Dances
Blackbird 144 St. Patrick’s Day 94 Job of Journeywork 138 Garden of Daisies 138 King of Fairies 130
Three Sea Captains 96 Jockey to the Fair 90
NOVICE AND PRIMARY GRADE
9. There will be a minimum of 4 Novice Light Dances up to and including Under 11. Only the most basic Steps may be performed in this grade. Children entering the Novice cannot enter the Primary for the same dances.
10. All Novice, Primary, Intermediate, Preliminary and Open Competitions are open to all Regions.
11. Any competitions in Novice and Primary, in which there are 5 or fewer dancers shall not count for grading purposes. However a Dancer may only win 3 such competitions and they then must move up to the next grade. If there are 6-10 dancers in any Novice or Primary competition, then just the 1st placed dancer must move up to the next grade. If there are 11-20 dancers, 1st and 2nd placed dancers must move up to the next grade. If there are 21 or more dancers then 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed dancers must move up to the next grade.
12. There will be no restriction on the step content performed in the Primary grade.
13. A Novice Dancer is a dancer who has not gained a place that requires them to move up in a Novice or higher Grade competition.
14. A Primary Dancer is a dancer who has not gained a place that requires them to move up in a Primary or higher Grade competition.
15. Novice/Primary Trophy Competitions are confined to dancers who have never won a Novice/Primary Trophy. Any Light Dance can be performed for the Trophy but it must have been danced in the Novice/Primary section on the day of the Feis.
16. A winner of a Novice/Primary Trophy Competition must move up to the next grade for both the Dance they performed to win the Trophy and the Trophy competition itself.
17. Only skirts and tops or a simple current class costume may be worn in the Novice and Primary Grades.
18. In the event of there being no provision for a particular age group, a dancer may dance up an age group, however on attaining first place in any dance, that dancer must remain in the higher grade for that dance for the remainder of the year.
19. At any one Feis, a Novice or Primary dancer may only dance each Solo Dance, the Light Trophy and the Heavy Trophy in ONE GRADE only.
20. Should there be 5 or fewer dancers in any Novice or Primary competition then the Feis Organiser reserves the right to combine age groups to make a double age group. Any dancer/s required to subsequently move up in a double age competition must remain in the higher grade for that dance for the remainder of the year.
21. If a feis syllabus does not provide a heavy dance section in the Novice grade, a dancer may perform their heavy jig or hornpipe in the Primary grade, and be offered a choice of either Novice or Primary speed. That is, either 76 or 96 for the heavy jig and either 118 or 144 for the hornpipe.
INTERMEDIATE GRADE
22. An Intermediate Dancer is one who has never won a first place in that particular dance in their present age group.
23. Intermediate Trophy competitions are confined to dancers who have never won an Intermediate Trophy in their present age group. Any Light Dance can be performed for the Trophy but it must have been danced in the Intermediate section on the day of the Feis.
24. A winner of an Intermediate Trophy Competition must move up to the next grade for both the Dance they performed to win the Trophy and the Trophy competition itself.
25. At any one Feis, an Intermediate dancer may only dance each Solo Dance, the Light Trophy and the Heavy Trophy, in ONE GRADE only, with the exception of intermediate dancers wishing to enter the Preliminary or Open Trophy/Championship.
26. In the event of there being no provision for a particular age group, then a dancer may dance up an age group, however on attaining first place in any dance, that dancer must remain in the higher grade for that dance for the remainder of the year.
27. If there are 6 or more dancers in any Intermediate Competition, then the 1st placed dancer must move up to the next grade, Any competition in which there are 5 or fewer dancers shall not count for grading purposes. However, a Dancer may only win 3 such competitions and they then must move up to the next grade.
28. Should there be 5 or fewer dancers in any Intermediate competition then the Feis Organiser reserves the right to combine age groups to make a double age group. Any dancer/s required to subsequently move up in a double age competition must remain in the higher grade for that dance for the remainder of the year
PRELIMINARY CHAMPIONSHIPS
29. A minimum number of three Adjudicators must officiate.
30. The first age group for a Preliminary Championship is Under 10.
31. Where a Preliminary Championship is held separate from an Open Championship, three rounds should be offered, namely; Reel or Slip Jig, Heavy Jig or Hornpipe and any Set Dance.
32. Where a Preliminary Championship is combined with an Open Championship, then the result should be taken from eligible dancers’ ranking after the first two rounds.
33. Where there are separate Preliminary and Open Championships, dancers can compete in both at the discretion of the Feis organiser.
34. Where a competitor wins two Preliminary Championships they must dance in Open Championship for a period of 12 months thereafter.
35. For grading purposes, two wins will be taken as being in any two year rolling period. Where a dancer does not win a second Preliminary within two years of winning their first Preliminary Championship, then the first win will be deemed as having expired and the dancer starts afresh.
36. Where there are 5 or fewer dancers in a Preliminary Championship that win will not normally be considered for grading purposes. However, where a dancer wins three Preliminary Championships regardless of the number of competitors in each competition, that dancer must dance in Open Championship for a period of 12 months thereafter.
37. Dances performed in a Preliminary Championships do not count for grading in solo competitions.
38. A Solo World Qualifier (in the previous 12 months) will NOT be eligible to compete in Preliminary Championships. This excludes dancers that auto qualified at their Regional or National Oireachtas due to lack of numbers.
39. Dancers placing 1st-3rd in an Open Championship with up to 20 competitors or 1st-5th in an Open Championship with more than 20 Competitors cannot compete in a Preliminary Championship for a period of 12 month.
OPEN GRADE
40. In all age groups any dancer who has previously won an Open Championship before a panel of at least three adjudicators does NOT have to dance Open if they are eligible for a lower grade.
41. In all age groups, (with the exception of under 6 and under 7), where solos and Championships are run separately, competitors must have performed 1 light dance and 2 heavy dances to be eligible for the Premier Trophy/Championship. This does not apply where solos are combined in with the Championship.
42. The wording 'Championship' will only be used where there is a panel of at least 3 adjudicators.
ALL GRADES
43. No block, en pointe, stationary or moving, will be allowed to be performed by any dancers up to and including the Under 11 Age Group. The Under 12 age group is also governed by this rule up until 1st September each year after which they are permitted to perform the movement.
44. Dancers must dance in their own age group for solo competitions if that age group is provided for.
45. Any competitor found to be using artificial carriage aids and subsequently refuses to remove them will be subject to disqualification from that particular competition. Medically prescribed apparatus, proof of which may be required, will be exempt from this.
FIGURE DANCING
46. Figure teams may contain up to 50% from a lower age group.
GENERAL FEIS RULES
47. Make up (including false eyelashes and tanner on the face) will not be permitted for dancers, in either solo or team competitions, up to and including the Under 10 age group, and any dancer in the first two grades (Novice and Primary) up to and including the Under 12 age group worldwide. This rule refers to the age group of the competition, not the actual age of the dancer. Leg tan is NOT part of this rule.
48. Any protest against breach of rules must be made be in writing, within 1 hour of the conclusion of the relevant competition and accompanied by a fee of £10.00, which will be refunded should the objection be upheld.
49. Medals will be awarded in accordance with the minimum requirements as laid down by the NWRC:
1 medal where there is 3 competitors
2 medals where there are 5 competitors
3 medals where there are 7 competitors
4 medals where there are 10 competitors and
1 medal for each additional 10 or part of 10 competitors.
50. The Feis Organiser reserves the right to cancel any competition should there be insufficient entries.
51. In the interest of Health, hairspray and any other aerosols must not be used in any of the dancing areas.
52. In accordance with the ruling laid down by An Coimisiun and in the interest of safety, dancers are asked to be suitably dressed at all times and should not undress in the competition halls.
53. Mobile phones and electronic games must be switched off in all of the dancing areas.
54. Abusive language and offensive behaviour will not be tolerated. Any person acting in such a way will be asked to leave the Feis.
55. Feis Organisers will, as far as is practicable, provide a stage surface suitable for dancing. However, the Feis Organisers cannot accept liability for injuries sustained whilst on the dancing areas. The lodgement of an entry will be deemed to be an acceptance of this provision by a dancer.
56. If parents have any constructive comments to make about any aspect of Feiseanna, these would be welcomed by the council and should be put in writing. It should be noted that anonymous correspondence cannot be dealt with.
57. Any Form of unauthorised photography which has the capability to capture a dancer’s image whilst in motion, using electronic or manual means, e.g. mobile phone, standard camera, video camcorder, cine recorder, commercial film, with or without flash enhancement, is expressly forbidden in competition.
TRANSFER RULES
TRANSFER_RULES.pdf (clrg.ie)
The administrative cost to Transfer a pupil is £10 per family payable to North West Regional Council.
COSTUME RULES
Updated_Costume_Rules_at_01_Jul_21.doc (live.com)
FEIS REGISTRATION
Feis Organisers must submit their syllabus to the FEIS SECRETARY for the NWRC Council for approval at least six weeks before the event.
Please EMAIL to Kingacademy@uwclub.net:
* a copy for approval and inclusion on the website
Please EMAIL:
* FORM 1 Completed Feis Approval Checklist
* FORM 2 Completed Syllabus Requirements Form
* FORM 3 Signed Feis Standards Guidelines Form
* the relevant REGISTRATION FEE of £200.
PLEASE NOTE THAT COMPULSORY FEIS INSURANCE of £100 - WHICH HAS BEEN ARRANGED BY THE NORTH WEST REGIONAL COUNCIL FOLLOWING ADVICE BY AN COIMISIUN, IS REQUIRED TO SECURE YOUR FEIS DATE. THIS INSURANCE IS A NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT.
THIS SHOULD BE PAID UPON REQUEST BY THE FEIS SECRETARY.
The North West Regional Council would like to emphasise that Feis Organisers should take care to ensure that every aspect of their Feis is of the best possible quality.
Feis Standards Guidelines (FORM 3), available to download at the top of this page, must be completed in full, signed and returned
before your Feis. Failure to do so may result in your Feis being cancelled.
Should there be sufficient legitimate complaints about the quality of a local Feis, then the Feis in question could be refused registration next year.
ALL OF THE FEIS REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE
FORM 1 Feis Approval Checkist
FORM 2 Syllabus Requirements Form
FORM 3 Feis Standards Guidelines
FEIS RESULTS
Feis Organisers are required to ensure that their Stage Managers record and announce the correct results following each competition.
Upon the conclusion of the Feis, all Feis Organisers are required to email their completed results for inclusion on the Website within 14 days of the Feis..
THE FEIS RESULTS FORM CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE
Open up the file, insert your results and save as the feis name - email to the Feis Secretary at
kingacademy@uwclub.net.
Please Note: Failure to do so may result in your Feis being refused next year.