Scoil Rince Saoirse – Beginner’s Feis Guide
The world of competitive Irish Dancing can be a confusing one, especially for those who are new to the feiseanna. Here’s a guide to help you understand the basics of grade level competition.
🎉 What’s a Feis?
A feis (pronounced fesh) is like a big Irish dance party… but with judges! 🏆 Dancers show off their steps, earn scores, and move up through levels.
📝 How Do I Join?
- First, ask Ms. Deirdre which dances you should sign up for 👩🏫
- Then, a parent registers online (most use efeis.com or feisweb.com)
- Beginners usually start with the reel 🎶 (and sometimes light jig!)
📅 When & Where?
Feiseanna (that’s the plural!) happen almost every weekend nearby 🚗💨
Want to see them all? 👉 Planxti Feis Calendar
What to wear to a feis
✨ Feis Fashion Rules! ✨
👗 First Feis / Beginners
Wear your black school leotard + school skirt (you can get them at the studio).
🎀 School Dress
For Beginner & Adv. Beginner levels. Rent one at the studio for $25.
💃 Solo Dress
Once you’re in Novice, you can sparkle in a solo dress 💎
Every one is one-of-a-kind! First dresses usually cost $300–$500. Always show Deirdre before buying.
👟 On Your Feet
Boys → Irish dance shoes + black socks
✨ Bonus tip: use sock glue (yep, it’s a thing!) so your socks stay put while you dance!
Girls → Irish dance shoes + white socks or black tights
Preparing for a feis…
✨ 5 Feis Prep Rules! ✨
1️⃣ 🕒 Practice — 15–20 min, 3x a week
2️⃣ 📚 Show it off — Bring your practice to class
3️⃣ 👕 Dress right — Shorts/leggings + tee & white socks
4️⃣ ⏰ Be ready — Bathroom before class & arrive on time
5️⃣ 💪 Stay focused — Work hard & stay positive!
Footer:
💚 Practice = Confidence = Better Feis Day!
⏰ Getting Ready for a Feis
Plan to arrive about 45 minutes before your first competition. This gives you time to:
- Find your stage
- Put on dance shoes
- Warm up & stretch
💡 Pro tip: Pack your feis bag the night before so nothing gets left behind in the morning.
- 🎒 Feis Bag Essentials 🎒
- 👟 Dance shoes
- 🧦 Dance socks (bright white, show-only pair!)
- 👗 Dance dress or school skirt & leotard (+ tights/bloomers if needed)
- 💇 Wig (if using)
- 💜 Hair kit: brush, comb, ties, bobby pins, spray
- 📌 Safety pins or number holder
- 🧴 Sock glue & electrical tape (for hard shoes if needed)
- 💧 Water bottle & 🥪 healthy snack
- 📝 Competitor number (if emailed in advance)
- 📄 Stage schedule (with comps highlighted)
- 🚑 Mini first aid kit
- 🧻 Tissues/wipes
- Footer:
- 💡 Pack the night before so nothing gets left behind!
I made it to the feis, now what?
🏅 Feis Day Quick Guide 🏅
📌 Competitor Numbers
Pick up at registration desk (if not pre printed).
- Check sticker for accuracy
- Pin to waist or use number holder
🎭 Stages
- Find your dancer’s stage(s)
- Check stage schedule
- Stage manager can help if conflicts arise
🪑 Set Up & Get Ready
- Camp near your stage
- Dress, hair, wig/makeup (U11+) ready before arrival if possible
- Be lined up one comp early to hear music & get settled
👯 On Stage
- Dancers usually perform 3 at a time (sometimes 2)
- Stay at least 2 dancers away from anyone from your school
📵 Photos & Video
- No videotaping — risk of disqualification!
- Photos are fine, but no flash
💚 Arrive 45 minutes early. Be ready, stay calm, and enjoy the day!
I’m done dancing, did I place?
🏆 Results at the Feis
- Look for the “Results” signs → usually a room or hallway with posters.
- Find your dancer’s competition numbers on the list.
- If the placement boxes are blank → results aren’t ready yet (could take up to an hour).
- If numbers are filled in → check if your dancer’s competitor number is there.
- ✅ If yes → Congratulations! Bring the number to the trophy/medal room to collect your award.
- ❌ If not → Be proud! Every feis is great experience, and more practice = future results.
📋 Marks (Scores & Feedback)
Sometimes emailed after the feis, sometimes available on the day (near results/trophies).
Marks show:
Your dancer’s score
Scores of dancers who placed
Judge’s comments
What do all these letters mean?
- A.D.C.R.G. – “Ard Diploma Choimisiuim Le Rinci Gaelacha” or “Highest Diploma in Gaelic Dancing”, a Certified Adjudicator.
- T.C.R.G. – “Teagascóir Choimisiúin le Rinci Gaelacha” or “Gaelic Commision Dancing Teacher”, a certified teacher.
- T.M.R.F. – “Scrúdú Teastas Rince Céilí” or “Certified Ceili Dance Instructor”, a certified ceili teacher.
A Quick Recap
| Grades | Preliminary Championship | Open Championship | |
| Dances | 1-6 depending on the level | 2 – one soft shoe & one hard shoe | 3 – one soft shoe, one hard shoe, and a set piece |
| Set Dances | None (unless traditional set competitions are offered) | None (unless traditional/contemporary set competitions are offered) | U9 – Traditional Set U10 & Up – Contemporary Set |
| Practice | 15 – 20 minutes 3-4 times a week | 30 – 60 minutes 4-5 times a week (min) | 60 minutes 4 – 5 times a week |
| Feiseanna | All dances scored as individual competitions | Combination of scores from both rounds determine placement | Combination of scores from all rounds determine placement |
| Oireachtas | Traditional Set Competition, Ceili dances, or Championship Solo at Teacher’s discretion (U8/9) or two 1st’s in Prizewinner | Championship Solo & Ceili dances | Championship Solo & Ceili dances |
| Nationals | Championship Solo at Teacher’s discretion (U8/9 only) or by Oireachtas qualification & Ceili dances | Championship Solo at Teacher’s discretion (U8/9 only) or by Oireachtas qualification & Ceili dances | Championship Solo & Ceili dances |
| Worlds | N/A | By Oireachtas or Nationals qualification | By Oireachtas or Nationals qualification |
| Judging | One judge | Three judges | Three judges |
Helpful Links:
- Mid-Atlantic Region Website: http://mid-atlanticregion.com/Local
- Feis Schedule: https://www.efeis.com/ or https://feisweb.com/
- CLRG: https://www.clrg.ie/
- Deirdre O’Mara Website: http://deirdreomara.com/
