Irish dance is promoted and organised by a number of organisations, both international and smaller in scale. In the early history of Irish dance, informal competitions were held between the students of travelling dance masters, but the first major Irish stepdance festival, or feis, was held in 1897 by Conradh na Gaeilge, an Irish nationalist organisation.[1] Throughout the 20th century, as separate forms of Irish dance developed, organisations were created to regulate and coordinate dance in both competitive and social contexts.
Irish step dance edit
Irish step dance is a primarily competitive tradition, and as such is regulated by organisations which arrange competitive events and standardise dance forms. Six such organisations organise a World Championships event for their registered dancers.[2]
- An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (the Irish Dancing Commission) was established in 1930 by Conradh na Gaeilge (the Gaelic League) as part of a broader nationalist movement concerned with preserving Irish culture.[3] It oversees Irish step dance competitions in Ireland, England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand and North America, as well as Oireachtas Rince Na Cruinne, an annual World Championships event.
- An Comhdháil Múinteoirí Rincí Gaelacha Teoranta (the Congress of Irish Dance Teachers) was formed in 1969 after several teachers, dissatisfied with the direction of An Coimisiún, decided to create their own organisation in an event known as "the split".[4][5] An Comhdháil also organise a World Championships, with competitors from its 28 global branches.[6]
- Cumann Rince Náisiúnta (National Dance Association) was formed in 1982 by 12 teachers[7] who broke from An Comhdháil after disagreements about the organisation's structure.[4] In 2012, CRN launched their own World Championships, Craobhacha Oscailte na Cruinne.[8]
- Cumann Rince Gaelach, founded in the 1990s, operates primarily in Ireland and the United Kingdom.[9] The first CRG World Championships were held in 2014.[10]
- Cumann Rince dea Mheasa was founded in 2002, and ran its first World Championships in 2014.[2]
- The World Irish Dance Association was established in 2004 in Germany by a group of dance teachers keen t promote Irish dance in mainland Europe.[11] WIDA is best known for its promotion of competitions for adult dancers, including at its World Championships with an over-35 age category.[12]
Ceili dance edit
Ceili dance is a form of Irish dance performed by groups of dancers in both traditional and improvised routines. Many stepdance organisations include ceili dance in the structure of their competitions, and consequently providers of stepdancing often teach ceili dancing as well.[3] However, organisations also exist which separately promote ceili dancing, both in competitive and non-competitive contexts.
References edit
- ^ Scanlan, Margaret (2006). Culture and Customs of Ireland. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 162. ISBN 9780313331626. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ a b Egan, John (3 May 2017). "So many Irish Dancing World Championships - The Irish World". The Irish World. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ a b Foley 2016, p. 237.
- ^ a b Foley 2016, p. 238.
- ^ Egan, John (2016). "Who Runs The Global Dance World?" (PDF). Irish Dancing Magazine. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- ^ Harper, Lauren (10 April 2017). "World Irish Dance Championships 2017 being held in Belfast". belfastlive. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- ^ "Cumann Rince Naisiunta". Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- ^ "Cumann Rince Naisiunta Worlds". www.crn.ie. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ "C.R.G - A Little Bit About Our Organisation". C.R.G Irish Dance. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ "CRG World Championships 2014". Rince Inniu. 30 July 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ "History". World Irish Dance Association. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- ^ Dorrity, Christy (30 April 2014). "World Irish Dance Association sets the bar for competitive adult Irish dancers". Antonio Pacelli. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- ^ "Our Story So Far". Cairde Rince Céilí na hÉireann. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
Bibliography edit
- Foley, Catherine E. (2016). Step Dancing in Ireland: Culture and History. Routledge. ISBN 9781317050056. Retrieved 2 September 2017.