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| Graduation |
- In order to evaluate the technical-artistic performance of dancers on an objective basis, graduation examinations may be held. The examinations are preferably carried out as integral part of the regular lessons by observing and evaluating the dancer. An examination goes as passed when a dancers has proven the specified level of performance in regular lessons. Alternatively to this an announced and especially organised examination event is possible, although not explicitly recommended.
- A graduation dance must comprise at least 48 bars corresponding to three full steps. At least one step of a graduation dance must meet all four classification criteria of the according difficulty level.
- At completion of a difficulty level all compulsory technical elements for this difficulty level must have been shown. In which dance which of the compulsory elements is used is free of choice. For the four difficulty levels there are the following compulsory elements:
- Basic: hop three, jump three, promenade step, hop seven, jump seven, side-seven, plain-point and single heel drum in light dances and shuffle, treble and toe tap in heavy dances.
- Primary: hit, twist, rock, front slice, rear-swish and pivot turn in light dances and double-toe, simple box and front slice in heavy dances.
- Main: swizzle, shake, butterfly, pincers and double-twizzle in light dances and smack, fast double heel drum, more complex box and rear slice in heavy dances.
- Open: stir, swirl, quiver, wrap and bird in light dances and rally, wrap catch, double front slice and front bell in heavy dances.
- For grade 1 there are the following requirements for awarding the grade Irish Beginner Dancer [I.B.D.]:
- Capability to dance basic light reel and basic light jig.
- Correct weight distribution.
- Theoretical knowledge concerning single and double reel and double jig as well as light reel and light jig.
- Simple rhythm structures and sequences of combinations without special variations and transitions.
- Basic light dances in open speed.
- For grade 2 there are the following requirements for awarding the grade Irish Novice Dancer [I.N.D.]:
- Capability to dance primary light reel, primary light jig and basic hop jig.
- Correct position of the feet as well as steady stand and sure movement on the balls without loss of balance.
- Theoretical knowledge concerning single jig as well as hop jig.
- More complex rhythm structures and composition of combinations with various transitions.
- Basic light dances in basic speed, primary light dances in open speed.
- For grade 3 there are the following requirements for awarding the grade Irish Intermediate Dancer [I.I.D.]:
- Capability to dance primary hop jig and basic slip jig as well as basic treble reel and basic treble jig.
- Exact execution of high leg movements in light dance combinations meaning high preparations as well as raises and lifts for jumps and steps.
- Theoretical knowledge concerning slip jig and stylistics of the light dances as well as recognition of played reel and double jig.
- Basic light dances in basic speed, primary light dances in primary speed, basic heavy dances in open speed.
- For grade 4 there are the following requirements for awarding the grade Irish Advanced Dancer [I.A.D.]:
- Capability to dance primary slip jig as well as primary treble reel, primary treble jig and basic hornpipe.
- Simple turns and pivot turns inward and outward.
- Theoretical knowledge concerning treble reel and treble jig and the adjudication directives for solo dances as well as recognition of played single jig.
- Exact rhythmics of all sounds. Bar frequency is kept as well without music for short periods.
- All learned combinations can be composed at will.
- Primary light dances in primary speed, basic heavy dances in basic speed, primary heavy dances in open speed.
- For grade 5 there are the following requirements for awarding the grade Irish Regarded Dancer [I.R.D.]:
- Capability to dance main light reel and main light jig as well as main treble reel, main treble jig, primary hornpipe and basic sling.
- Toe stand on both feet. Half casts up to 90° height.
- Exact execution of all movements.
- Theoretical knowledge concerning hornpipe and sling, the direction system and the demands for basic level as well as recognition of played slip jig.
- Complicated rhythm structures and longer combinations.
- Main light dances and heavy dances in open speed, basic heavy dances in basic speed, primary heavy dances in primary speed.
- For grade 6 there are the following requirements for awarding the grade Irish Expert Dancer [I.E.D.]:
- Capability to dance open light reel, open light jig and main hop jig as well as open treble reel, open treble jig, main hornpipe and primary sling.
- Double turns and pivot turns inward and outward.
- Theoretical knowledge concerning the adjudication directives for traditional solo dances, the stylistics of the heavy dances as well as the demands for primary level as well as recognition of played hornpipe.
- Bar frequency is exactly kept as well without music over longer periods.
- Main light dances and heavy dances in main speed, open light dances and heavy dances in open speed, primary heavy dances in primary speed.
- For grade 7 there are the following requirements for awarding the grade Irish Champion Dancer [I.C.D.]:
- Capability to dance open hop jig and main slip jig as well as open hornpipe and main sling.
- Capability to execute all standardised light dance combinations.
- Toe stand on one foot. High casts up to shoulder height.
- Theoretical knowledge concerning the adjudication directives for group dances as well as the demands for main level.
- Single rhythm variations and tempo changes. Improvisation of short combinations by composing motions.
- Main light dances and heavy dances in main speed, open light dances and heavy dances in open speed.
- For grade 8 there are the following requirements for awarding the grade Irish Master Dancer [I.M.D.]:
- Capability to dance open slip jig as well as open sling.
- Capability to execute all standardised heavy dance combinations.
- Execution of some motions in toe stand.
- Theoretical knowledge concerning the adjudication directives for combination contests and adjudication by several adjudicators, objections at competitions as well as the demands for open level.
- Free rhythm variations and tempo changes. Improvisation of combinations by composing motions at will without problems.
- Open light dances and heavy dances in open speed.
- In order to preserve the tradition of Irish culture Tradition Conservation Awards may be bestowed to dancers having proven a certain level of knowledge of Irish tradition.
- For class 1 there are the following requirements for bestowing the award for Outstanding Experience [T.C.A.O.E.]:
- knowledge of at least
- 3 traditional solo set dances
- 25 traditional céilí dances
- 1 historical social set dance
- 10 traditional social set dances
- knowledge of Irish language concerning
- dance terms
- rules of pronunciation
- geographical knowledge concerning the historical Irish provinces
- historical knowledge concerning a survey of Irish national history
- musical knowledge concerning the theory of Irish dance rhythms
- For class 2 there are the following requirements for bestowing the award for Outstanding Knowledge [T.C.A.O.K.]:
- knowledge of at least
- 6 traditional solo set dances
- 100 traditional céilí dances
- 3 historical social set dances
- 40 traditional social set dances
- knowledge of Irish language concerning
- numbers
- simple everyday phrases
- geographical knowledge concerning the historical Irish counties
- historical knowledge concerning a survey of Irish dance history
- musical knowledge concerning typical Irish instruments
- For class 3 there are the following requirements for bestowing the award for Outstanding Competence [T.C.A.O.C.]:
- knowledge of all
- 10 traditional solo set dances
- 350 traditional céilí dances
- 10 historical social set dances
- 150 traditional social set dances
- knowledge of Irish language concerning
- basics of the grammar
- simple colloquial language
- geographical knowledge concerning the biggest Irish cities
- historical knowledge concerning
- current political situation in Ireland
- current situation in the Irish dance movement
- musical knowledge concerning solo set dances and their history
- Tradition Conservation Awards are bestowed by the secretariat. In order to verify the prerequisites for bestowing awards the secretariat appoints particularly qualified examiners.
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| Principles |
| De-Commercialisation |
| The centre of attention is the dance, not the business with it! |
| Freedom of access |
| IDN competitions are open to all, independent of school and organisation membership. |
| Freedom of choice |
| IDN group heads allow their dancers free choice of teacher and renounce transfer rules. |
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| Freedom of usage |
| IDN choreographies are allowed to be used freely, in so far as the purpose is not predominantly financial gain. Dance is free! |
| Authenticity |
| The IDN view on dancing is based on the entire Irish dancing tradition. Modern mixing with other dance forms is regarded as legitimate; however it is strictly distinguished from traditional Irish dance. |
| Scientific rigour |
| The IDN standards for dance, examinations and competitions are based on historical facts and scientific analysis. |
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