Syllabus and Feis Rules 

FEIS RULES

1. Entries will only be accepted from dancing teachers currently registered with An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha for the years 2009/2010.
2. Lodgement of entries at a feis implies that you accept the rules relating to the feis in their entirety as laid down by RTME and An Coimisiun, and the rules listed below.
3. Age will be taken on 1st January 2010. Evidence of age may be requested.
4. The adjudicator’s decision is final.
5. Committee members only may approach adjudicators.
6. Beginner and Primary levels are open to all regions.
7. Beginner grade competitions are confined to dancers who have never won first prize for that particular dance.  In beginner grade competitions only basic steps may be performed.
8. Primary grade competitions are confined to dancers who have never won first prize for that particular dance other than Beginners grade.
9. If a Beginner competition has 6 competitors or more, the first two places advance to the next grade regardless of ties.  If a Beginner competition has 11 competitors or more, the first three places advance to the next grade, regardless of ties. (RTME ruling Sept 2007)
10. If a Primary competition has 6 competitors or more, the first place advances to the next grade regardless of ties. 
11. Intermediate grade competitions are open to all dancers who have not previously won first prize for that particular dance in Intermediate or Open grade under the same or higher age limits.  If a dancer from Mainland Europe wins in Intermediate they must advance into Open for the remainder of that calendar year. If they do not win in Open, they may return to Intermediate at the beginning of the next calendar year (RTME ruling Sept 2007).
12. The 32 bar method will be used for Beginner, Primary and Intermediate solo competitions (excluding trophy competitions). For 2 hands and 3 hands 40 bars will be required and up to the first figure of 4 hands and 6/8 hands.  Open Championships will be 48 bars for the Reel and Heavy Jig and 40 bars for the Slip Jig and Hornpipe. 
13. Beginner/Primary Light Trophy competitions will be a choice of light dances that a dancer has not won at this level. Intermediate Heavy Trophy competitions will be a choice of heavy jig or hornpipe that a dancer has not won at this level.  Dancers will dance 16 bars down the line in their chosen dance.
14. Dancers competing in the Freestyle Treble Reel competition will dance 16 bars down the line.  This is a freestyle competition so competitors can use their arms and can wear non-traditional costumes.
15. Open Championships will be judged as two solos and then an overall Championship result.  Dancers have a choice of reel/slip jig and heavy jig/hornpipe.  If there are more than 9 in the competition there will be a recall for the set dance round.  If there are more than 3 boys in the competition, a separate boys competition will be held.
16. Dancers who wish to compete in the open solo competitions may do so.  They do NOT have to do a set dance.  If they do not dance a set dance they will be excluded from the Championship result, but they will be judged in the solo rounds.
17. Traditional Set Dance competitions are a choice out of 6 Traditionals; St Patrick’s Day, Blackbird, Job of Journeywork, Garden of Daisies, King of the Fairies and Jockey to the Fair.  If a dancer wins first place in any traditional set dance they must move up to the next level in all 6 traditionals.
18. Team dances (four hands and upward) must be performed in accordance with ‘An Rince Foirne’.
19. Where there are 5 or less competitors in a solo competition grades will be unaffected.
20. Within the limits specified in the Rules of An Coimisiun the organisers may at their discretion cancel competitions with insufficient entries.
21. If there are 40 or more in any competition, the organiser may split the competition into two different competitions according to age eg. 22-28 divided into 22-24 and 24-28.
22. 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 phones, standard camera, cine recorder, commercial film, with or without flash enhancement, is expressly forbidden.  Photographs taken at awards ceremonies are permitted and are for personal use only.
23. Competitors must be in costume and ready to dance 30 minutes before their competitions are scheduled to start.
24. No refunds will be made.
25. Any competitor found to be using artificial carriage aids and who subsequently refuses to remove same will be subject to disqualification from that particular competition.  Medically-prescribed apparatus, proof of which may be required, will be exempt from this ruling.
26. An Coimisiun has ruled that no bloc en pointe, stationary or moving, be allowed to be performed for all ages up to and including the U12 age group, world-wide.  The U12 group will be allowed to toe-walk from 1st September.
27. With immediate effect, makeup will not be permitted for any dancer in the first two grades up to and including the U12 age group, world-wide.  This rule replaces the previous ruling on this matter.
28. The Feis organiser endeavours to provide a surface to dance upon (including non slip dance flooring), however the feis organiser cannot accept any liability for injuries whilst dancing.
29. In all heavy dances for Intermediate and Open, the lead round must be danced on both the right and left feet.
30. Music will be played at the recognised Mainland Europe speeds revised at RTME Munich meeting June 2006.

 
                  Beginners    Primary      Int/Open 

Reel            121-123     116-118       113
Light Jig      116            116               116
Slip Jig        121            120               113
Single Jig    123            123               121
Heavy Jig    89              82                 73
Hornpipe    142            130               113