Irish Dance has a few fun words that as a parent - you just need to know. Here I'll list some and how to pronounce them! Trust me - life will be easier!
Things your dancer wears:
Ghilles/Soft Shoes/Pumps: These are the soft leather black shoes with black (sometimes white) criss-crossing laces. This is the first kind of shoe your dancer will wear.
Hard/Heavy Shoes: As your dancer progresses they will move into hard shoes. These are the shoes that make noise.... a lot of noise. The heel and tip are comprised of fibreglass with a flexi sole in between.
"Poodle" Socks: These are white socks with little bumps on the upper half. Eventually you will end up with about a million of these for practice and even though you own so many will end up buying more at the next Feis. *No dogs were harmed in the making of these socks.
Wig/Wiglet: This is the dancers hair. A "Wiglet" usually refers to the up-do type style. It comes in a single - usually worn by beginners and also a double. There are a few styles of wigs. Your dance teacher will advise you on which one to get.
Competitions:
Feis: The Irish Gaelic word used for dance competitions. Pronounced "FESH". The plural of Feis is Feiseanna. Pronounced "FESH-ANNA".
Oireachtas: This can be loosely translated to "regionals", as it is the competition that qualifies dancers from their own region for nationals and worlds. A dancer must first qualify at their regional/Oireacthas in order to compete at national and world level. Pronounced "O_ROCK-TAS"
Nationals/NANS: The North American Irish Dance Championships (NAIDC) are held annually in North America over the first week of July. It moves around from region to region. Here you can qualify for worlds if you reside North America.
Worlds: Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne (O-ROCK-TAS RINK-A NA CROON) is the top of the tops Irish dance competition. If you ever get a chance to watch this level of dance take it - it will knock your socks off! Worlds has been held in Ireland, Scotland as well as various states in the US.
Grades: Grades are speprate from regular competitions. In grade examinations dancers are individually examined and receive a detailed written assessment of their performance and knowledge of the grade being attempted. There is an preliminary grade, followed by 12 grades with each one becoming increasingly difficult. Skill, knowledge and ability are tested. All 12 grade examinations have to be completed to challenge the TCRG exam.
Feis Levels
Solos: The dancer is competing against a group of kids his/her own age for individually placement.
Figures/Teams: This is when the dancers compete as a team wearing the school costume.
First Feis: The very first competition at your very first Feis. It is the cutest thing you will ever see!
Beginner - These dancers have not yet qualified for the Advanced Beginner level in that particular dance. The dancer may compete in First Feis & Beginner level at this first feis. (More on how you move from one level to another has it's own post: COMING SOON)
Advanced Beginner - These dancers have received a qualifying place in that particular dance at the Beginner level but have not yet qualified to move on to Novice.
Novice - These dancers have received a qualifying placing at the Advanced Beginner level but have not yet qualified for Prizewinner.
Prizewinner – These dancers have received a qualifying place at the Novice level but have not yet qualified to advance to Preliminary Championships.
Preliminary – Open only to dancers who are qualified to dance in Preliminary Championships. To qualify for Prelim a dancer must in some cases WIN a trophy competition. It varies from region to region as to what placing will move you up.
Open - Open only to dancers who are qualified to dance in Open Championships. To move to Open a dancer must win their preliminary level twice.
Reel: Many of the dances will have beginner to champ versions. The teacher choreographs the steps, making it individual to the school. This music is also used in team dancing as well as for a hard shoe version called the "Treble Reel."
Jig: This can mean the "Treble Jig", "Light Jig", "Single Jig", "Slip Jig, - or refer to the type of set dance music used. There is a slow treble jig and a fast version. (Used for beginners)
Hornpipe: This can mean the "Hornpipe" or refer to the type of set dance music used. There is a slow hornpipe and a fast version. (Used for beginners)
Set Dance: Set dances are hard shoe dances that Champion dancers compete with as a solo, third and final round, or as a recall round at the major events. The dances are choreographed by the teacher rather than having prearranged choreography like the traditional sets. There are currently around 38 set dances, all varying in length and speed.
Traditional Set Dance: There are five traditional sets: St. Patrick's Day ,The Blackbird, Job of Journeywork, Garden of Daisies, and King of the Fairies. These dances are "set" in the choreography, meaning no teacher can change the choreography. Traditional set dances used to be performed by those in the Beginner-Prizewinner level categories but there are now harder versions for Prelim and Open dancers.
Other
An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha: Ok thats a mouthful. Many dance teacher will shorten this to "the Commission" for regular conversation. The Commission is the governing body of Irish dance teachers (TCRG) and adjudicators (ADGRC).
Hope that helps! If you hear a word around your studio and are not sure what it means - feel free to ask in the comments!
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