What makes CRN Unique
Open Platform
As part of its original mandate, CRN began running Irish Dance competitions under an Open Platform (open to all organizations) in 1982. To this day CRN is the only professional Irish dance organization that successfully operates an Open Platform. The Open Platform ensures that any dancer, from any teacher, from any part of the world or from any organization may compete in a C.R.N. event.
Traditional Dance Organization:
CRN. understands the value of dances in an historical context and has an appreciation and respect for oral Irish history and dance traditions.
CRN is widely known as the traditional dance organization because it has successfully respected the integrity of traditional dances.
The six traditional dances handed down through the generations, St. Patrick's Day, The Humours of Bandon,The Job of Journeywork, The Blackbird, The White Blanket and The Garden of Daisies are the core part of our national and international championships.
CRN has worked to maintain the integrity of these dances while actively encouraging the development of new and innovative work. Great thought was put into considering the appropriate developmental level of students and their capacity to execute new work in solo dances. To that end five (5) grades/ levels of dance were established.
The introductory level of solo dances (Bun Grad) includes execution of the easy reel, slip jig, single jig and light jig as handed down for generations. These dances have stood the test of time and existed long before the establishment of the Gaelic League in 1893.
Our second level dances (Ullumhuchan), again handed down through the generations, include the double jig and hornpipe. Collectively, these dances in addition to the six traditional set dances form the foundation of all our solo dances and are compulsory within CRN. The other grades are Intermediate (Mean Grád), Ard Grád (Open/Higher Grade) and Craobh Grád (Championship Grade).
This system ensures that appropriate technique is being taught at each level. It is from the 3rd level up that teachers compose new work, but precautions and safety guidelines continue to be incorporated to insure the safety and security of our dancers.
Spirit of Co-Operation:
CRN has always encouraged a spirit of collaboration and co-creation. While dance schools, by their very nature tend to move in the direction of competition, CRN has worked diligently to eradicate a culture of divisiveness from its organization. This has been accomplished by fostering a spirit of co-operation between teachers and interdependence amongst dancers.
The 25th anniversary of CRN was perhaps the best example of this spirit of cooperation. All of the dance schools were asked to participate and dancers worked on a full CRN suite of dances.
CRN understands the value of Continuing Education and Training:
CRN is the only organization within the Irish dance world that has a formal training component. We are committed to protecting the integrity and purity of our tradition. Innovation is encouraged but not at the expenses of tradition. To that end we require that all candidates for the teacher credential pursue formal training.
CRN is very proud of the standard of dance education among its members. This standard was achieved by establishing a compulsory and rigorous teacher training course. This involves two to three years of supervised training in Ireland (foreign students usually complete this curriculum in three or four years). Candidates pursuing an adjudicator credential must pursue a further two years of supervised study. All candidates are trained by accredited trainers within Cumann Rince Náisiúnta. Additionally, the examining panel is required to pursue continuing education to ensure proper and fair marking for all candidates.
As we enter the 21st Century, Cumann Rince Náisiúnta is committed to maintaining a respect for tradition while encouraging a spirit of creativity and innovation.