Irish Dance Glossary: Common Terms Every Parent Should Know

If you're new to Irish dancing, you'll quickly come across words and phrases that may be unfamiliar at first.

From feiseanna and Oireachtas competitions to recalls, céilí teams and jig shoes, there is plenty of terminology to learn. The good news is that most parents pick it up surprisingly quickly.

This glossary explains some of the most common Irish dance terms you're likely to encounter during your dancer's journey.

Feis

Pronounced: "fesh"

A feis is an Irish dance competition. Dancers compete individually or as part of a team and receive results and feedback from adjudicators.

Feiseanna

Pronounced: "fesh-an-na"

The plural of feis. If someone attends several feiseanna each year, they are attending multiple competitions.

Oireachtas

Pronounced: "oh-rock-tus"

A major championship event. Depending on the organisation, dancers may qualify for regional, national or international championships through Oireachtas competitions.

Céilí

Pronounced: "kay-lee"

A form of team dancing where groups of dancers perform traditional formations and movements together.

Grade

A dancer's competition level. Most dancers begin in beginner grades and progress through the levels as they achieve competition results.

Championship

A higher level of competition designed for more advanced dancers. Championship events often involve multiple rounds and dances.

Recall

A recall means a dancer has qualified to progress to the next round of a championship competition.

Soft Shoes

Soft shoes are worn for dances such as reels, light jigs and slip jigs.

You may also hear them referred to as pumps, ghillies or light shoes. These terms are often used interchangeably, although pumps is the term most commonly used in the UK and Ireland.

Pumps

The soft shoes worn for dances such as reels, light jigs and slip jigs.

In the UK and Ireland, most dancers simply refer to their soft shoes as pumps.

Ghillies

Pronounced: "gil-lees"

Ghillies is another name for Irish dance pumps. The term is more commonly used outside the UK and Ireland.

Hard Shoes

Hard shoes are worn for dances such as treble jigs and hornpipes.

You may also hear them referred to as jig shoes or heavies. These terms generally describe the same type of Irish dance shoe.

Jig Shoes

The hard shoes used for dances such as treble jigs and hornpipes. The tips and heels create the distinctive sounds associated with Irish dancing.

Solo Dress

An individual competition dress worn by female dancers. Solo dresses are often introduced as dancers progress through the grades.

School Costume

A costume worn by dancers representing their dance school. Many dancers compete in a school costume before moving to a solo dress.

Wig

A competition wig worn by some dancers at feiseanna and championships. Requirements and preferences vary between schools.

TCRG

A qualification held by certified Irish dance teachers within An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha.

The initials stand for Teagascóir Choimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha.

ADCRG

A qualification held by certified Irish dance adjudicators.

The initials stand for Ard Diploma Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha.

Craic

Pronounced: "crack"

An Irish word meaning fun, enjoyment or a good atmosphere.

Irish Dance Organisations

The governing bodies that organise competitions, examinations and championships. Examples include An Coimisiún, WIDA, CRN, CRDM and An Comhdháil.

Feis Mum or Feis Dad

An unofficial term for the parent who spends weekends travelling to competitions, carrying bags, fixing wigs, finding safety pins and trying to remember which dance comes next.

Still Learning the Terminology?

Don't worry if some of these terms seem unfamiliar.

Every Irish dance family starts in the same position, and before long you'll find yourself talking about feiseanna, recalls, céilí teams, pumps and jig shoes without thinking twice.

If you're just getting started, you may also find our guides to Irish Dance Organisations, Understanding Irish Dance Types and Your First Feis helpful.