Irish Dancing
This traditional dance form is one of the best (and most glamorous) ways to get fit along with being a beautiful form of dancing.
We offer Irish dance classes from pre-schoolers through to young adults, whether it be for fun and fitness or a competitive level from Beginners through to Open dancers (see below for more details).
Students can show off their fancy footwork at Irish dancing competitions registered with the Irish Dancing Commission (IDC) in Dublin. This worldwide organisation fostered such talents as Michael Flatley and Jean Butler of Riverdance fame.
Our students have the opportunities to dance out at special events throughout the year including St Patrick's Day events, Sydney Royal Easter Show, Mercantile in the Rocks and other corporate events.
Students can take part in locally run competitions throughout term 2 and term 3 as well as take part in Irish dance exams held by AIDA (NSW). Our Irish students compete under the name Scoil Rince Creer. When students reach Open level they are also able to compete at State and National Championships.
Our students have danced at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Ireland as well as winning titles at the NSW and Australian National Championships.
More information about our Irish dance classes can be found on our new Irish website page
In 2025, four of our dancers took out NSW State titles at the State Irish Dancing Championships - 8 Years Sub Minor Boys Rayden Tee, 14 Years Intermediate Boys Issei Byrne, 17 Years Junior Men - Eric Lawonski and Adult Champion - Lily Fury
Eric then went on to win his third national title at the Australian National Championships in Brisbane
At the World Championships in Dublin, Zoe Thornthwaite won the Michael Flatly Freestyle Award
2025 World Qualifiers - Hayden, Leon, Mio, Issei, Lexi, Eric, Hannah & Roger
Team Dancing - Congratulations to our
2025 State Champion Teams
U15 Mixed 4 Hand - Leon, Issei, Kristina & Vanessa
U18 Mixed 4 Hand- Issei, Eric, Alexa & Lexi
Open Mixed 4 Hand- Eric, Roger, Hannah & Zoe
2025 National Champion Teams
U15 Mixed 4 Hand - Leon, Issei, Kristina & Vanessa
Adult Ceili- Jade, Annie, Lauren & Jordyn
Runner Up Open Girls OC 4 Hand- Lexi, Lily, Ellie & Zoe
Classes are fun for Beginners up to Championship level (see below photos for all levels). For further information visit the IDC website- www.clrg.ie or Australian Irish Dancing Association website - www.irishdancing.org.au/
For all our latest Irish news please check out our Irish Facebook page
Competitions/Feis
Irish dancing competitions are held around Sydney throughout the year. These are also called "Feis". CSOD students dance at this events under the name of Scoil Rince Creer. Competitions are not compulsory. However, students are encouraged to participate in at least one feis a year so they have a goal to work towards in class.
Irish grades for class & competition
There are five different levels of Irish dancing. Students may win their way out of a grade or be promoted by their teacher once they have reached a level of competence.
Beginners
This is where the journey of all Irish dancers starts!
Students learn dances such as the light jig and reel.
Only soft shoes are worn. Leotard and skirt/ trousers and shirt are worn at competitions.
Primary
Steps start to become more complicated but there are restrictions on certain movements.
Hard or `heavy’ shoes are introduced. Leotard and skirt/ trousers and shirt are worn at competitions.
Elementary
Steps are more advanced. Dancers can attempt more complicated moves. There are no rules about what steps can be danced
It is only when students reach this level that they can wear an Irish dancing costume.
At CSOD we have costumes students can hire for this level of dancing.
Intermediate
More advanced steps
Open
The highest level of competition.