Useful Information

Helpful Links

Shoes:

Can be ordered online www.anthoniopachelli.com or www.feisfayre.com. Beginners will need the basic essential pumps or can go for the next grade of shoe up which offer more padding ( please bear in mind they do grow out of these quickly ) . Follow the measurement guides on the website. Ask for help if needed

Socks :

This are called " Poodle " socks and can be ordered on them sites above, one pair will be needed for practice and a new pair will be needed per feis.

Notebooks:

Please bring a little notebook to class so we can record your steps in them.

Uniform:

Orders are placed regularly during the terms and the parents are informed before any order is placed.

Payment:

Joining Fee: Once a dancer has completed a full term, a £90 joining fee is required if they would like to continue. This registers them with the organisation to compete and includes their school uniform. (Every year after this would only require a £30 registration fee.)

What to Expect at Classes

Classes for Irish dancing will begin by teaching students the fundamentals and basics. This includes learning foot placement, core positions, and how to count the music using their listening skills.

Each student works at their own pace and will be taught as an individual, ensuring they are neither held back nor pushed forward prematurely. It's important to be patient with dancers as they adjust to the differences between light and heavy movements.

Some may find light movements easier than heavy ones, and they may show signs of frustration during the transition. Nonetheless, the focus is on providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students

All dancers will be introduced to four light shoe dances and two heavy shoe dances at the beginning part of their training.

Reel

Light Jig

Slip Jig

Single Jig

Heavy Jig

Hornpipe

It is important for your child to master all of the light dances or at least two of them competently before they can be considered feis (competition) ready. This is because it would be a long journey to travel for just one or two dances.

Initially, your child does not need to buy shoes right away. It is recommended to observe their progress for half a term and if they are still enthusiastic about dancing, you can purchase the required shoes from the websites listed.

Once the students have enrolled in our dance school, it is mandatory for them to wear a school uniform during travel to feises, for their dance classes and grade exams. The uniform consists of plain black leggings, shorts, gym leggings, and a black shirt with the school logo.

These items are the only requirements for attending classes. However, when it comes to traveling to feises, black tracksuits are a must.

It is important for all students to adhere to these uniform guidelines to maintain a consistent and cohesive appearance at all times.

Key Terminology

Turnout :

Where the dancer rotates their hips so that their toes and knees are facing the same direction.

Point :

Refers to the point of the foot when it shows a proper arch with a heel clearly visible to the inside, top of the foot turned outside, toes long and tight.

Hop 2 3 :

The first skill you will learn is a basic Irish dance step.

7's :

A series of moves with legs crossed and feet turned out, a dancer steps laterally right left right left ..... for seven counts

Treble :

With legs crossed and feet turned out a dancer brushes the floor using the tip of their hard shoe, pushing and pulling in such away that it make a distinctive sound.

Click :

Is the movement of one foot passing the other in such a way that the heels of the hard shoe hit each other making a "clicking" sound.

Feis :

Pronounced " fesh

Is the Irish word for competition

Feiseanna :

Pronounced " Fesh-an-na"

Plural of Feis

Oireachtas :

Pronouced " oh-ROCK-tus "

A term used for Regional , National and World Championships in Irish Dance

Ceili :

Pronounced " Kay-lee "

A Ceili is a group dance performed at competition or exhibitions

Rince :

Pronouced " rin-ka "

The Irish word for Dance.

Damhsa :

Pronouched " dow-sa"

A word for dance

Additional Wording

Craic :

Pronounced " Crack "

Fun or Good Times

Beoir :

Pronounced " Be-orge "

Beer or if in Ireland just ask for Guinness !!