Attention all Teachers, Adjudicators and Feis organisers

This is the time of year when the dancing fraternity would normally be making preparations for regional Oireachtaisí.

As we all know, these are not normal times. Little did we envisage last March, when postponing the 50th World Championships, that 7 months later COVID 19 would still be causing such misery and mayhem worldwide.

The imposition of more stringent restrictions in many areas has resulted in more disruption and hardship for everyone and especially teachers, adjudicators and Feis organisers. While CLRG realise that these restrictions are necessary for the health and welfare of all people, it has nevertheless made representations, on behalf of dance teachers, to the appropriate Government Minister in Ireland.We have sought support for a lessening of the restrictions at certain levels on the roadmap for living with COVID 19. Unfortunately, we have had little success in our endeavours to date.

While CLRG has registered members in many different countries, the restrictions have equally varied from region to region with some lucky members still able to conduct person to person classes and organise Feiseanna.

It is expected that in all dancing related matters teachers, adjudicators and Feiseanna registered with CLRG will abide by the COVID restrictions of their country/region.

Any Feis registered by a Regional Council or a CLRG affiliate is also expected to observe the restrictions in place at the time in the respective country. Should the restrictions in a region be raised between the registration and holding of the Feis, then it is incumbent on the Feis organiser to adapt their event accordingly. Unfortunately, in some cases, this may mean the postponement or cancellation of the Feis.

In the event of a partial lockdown in a region a Feis organiser may not accept entries from dancers who reside in the locked down area. If the lockdown occurs after acceptance of entries the entry, fees should be returned to the affected dancers.

While we realise that many dancers are very anxious to resume all aspects of their dance activities, CLRG expects registered teachers to encourage all pupils and their parents to abide by whatever restrictions are in place in their region.

Please be certain that we are fully conscious of the impact of this pandemic on the health, welfare and indeed livelihoods of all members, their families, friends and pupils. I am sure we all know someone who has been severely impacted by the pandemic. We will continue to make representations at the highest levels possible to alleviate the impact of the pandemic on our core activity of promoting Irish Dance, language and culture.

Please stay in touch with one another and with your regional representatives.

In the meantime, stay safe, healthy and well.

Francis Curley

Cathaoirleach

An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha