Rules Governing the Feis

Adopted by NAFC, 1993
Amended October 19, 2002 I Effective January 1, 2003


1. In the case of all solo and team competitions in all grades, the age of a competitor on January 1st of the year the competition is held will determine the right of entry .For the purpose of this rule, a competitor whose birthday is January 1st shall be deemed under the age attained on that date.

2. Competitions are only open to amateurs. Teachers and other professionals cannot compete in the category in which they major.

3. A competitor may be disqualified for any of the following reasons: (a) Conduct unbecoming a lady or gentleman (b) failure to report on time to compete (c) falsification of age or other important facts I.e. teaching, award winning, competing under another competitor's name or number, etc. Penalty for (a) and (c) : Competitor will be disqualified from the Feis at which the occurrence happened and from all NAFC registered Feisanna for a period of one year from the date of the occurrence.

4. Competitions will be closed if there are no competitors at the assigned stage ready to compete when the competition is scheduled or announced.

5. Solo competitors in Beginner, Novice or Open (Prizewinner) competitions must: (a) compete in their age group (b) be prepared to per-form two steps in each event, except one step for Beginners (c) cannot change competition on the day of the Feis (d) dance two competitors at a time.

6. Steel taps or "bubble" heels on dancing shoes, the display of awards, the wearing of shorts and other unconventional dress is prohibited.  Authentic Gaelic dress is desired.

7. Competitor's number must be worn and visible to adjudicators when performing in all competitions except in championships.

8. Awards will be determined in proportion to the number of entries in each competition and to the degree of proficiency shown.

9. Musicians and adjudicators cannot be approached during the competition by anyone except the Feis Committee. No one can approach them while a competitor is performing. Good sportsmanship, as well as ladylike and gentlemanly conduct by all is desired throughout the Feis.

10. Complaints must be in writing stating names and other factual information and signed by the complainant. A ten dollar fee must be enclosed and presented to the Feis Chairman within one hour of the occurrence. The fee will be returned if the complaint is upheld.

11. The Feis Committee and any organization affiliated with it will not be held responsible for personal injury , properly loss or damage. Destruction of Feis property or rental property will be punishable by law.

12. The Feis reserves the right to reject any entry for cause, to cancel or postpone all or part of the Feis and to limit the competitor's performing time. The decision of the Feis Committee is final in all matters connected with the Feis.

13. Competitors must answer all questions on the entry form and enclose the correct fee; otherwise, entry will not be accepted. Entries will be limited to the first 800 valid entries.

Entries postmarked after August 30, 2003 must include a late entry' fee of $10. Entries postmarked after August 30, 2003 will not appear in the souvenir Feis Journal. Entries postmarked after September 13 , 2003 will not be accepted.

Entry fees: Make checks payable to AOH Feis.

Dancing entry inquiries: dancing@aohfeis.org.

If Feis is cancelled for any reason, entry fees will be credited to the following year unless a written request for refund is submitted within
30 days of Feis date. Late fees are not refundable, nor will they be credited.

MAIL ENTRY FORMS TO:
Nassau County AOH Feis
PO Box 52
Massapequa NY 11758

14. Entrants in any Championship event may not enter in any other solo events (except Premier Solo). Entrants in Championships should specify, on their entry form, their choice of soft and hard shoe dances. Entrants cannot change competition or category on the day of the competition.

15. Preliminary Championships are open to those who, at any NAFC recognized Feis: (a) have placed 1st , 2nd or 3rd in Open (Prizewinner) solo categories and (b) have never placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in Open Championship.

A dancer who wins two first place awards in one calendar year will move on to Open Championship the following year, or as soon as the
second win is achieved, in any age category, in the following year. Only in the case of back to back Feisanna (successive days), in which case the win in the first Feis will not change the dancer's status for the second Feis.

A dancer is required to perform a light shoe dance (reel or slip jig for ladies, reel only for gentlemen) and a hard shoe dance, the dancer's choice of jig or hornpipe. Dance choices must be indicated on the entry form.

16. Championships and Preliminary Championships require at least three adjudicators.

17. First Place winners in the Open Championship category cannot return to Preliminary or Open (Prizewinner) competition. Placing in a
regional or national Oireachtas does not change the status of a competitor.

18. The status of a dancer does not change unless there are five or more dancers in a competition.

19. SOLO CATEGORIES : Competitors have the option to remain in the same category for the remainder of the Feis year.

20. Musicians employed by the Feis Committee will be solely under the direction and management of the Feis Committee on feis day.

21. In matters pertaining to the adjudicators, the decision of the adjudicators is final.

22. Adjudicators are to monitor the quality of music at the stage(s) to which they are assigned.

23. The use of video or motion picture cameras is prohibited during a dance competition except for press use or Feis Committee documentation.