AN COIMISIUN LE RINCI GAELACHA - The Irish Dancing Commission

The Constitution (An Bunreacht) of An Coimisiun states:
'the Objective of An Coimisiun is to reserve and promote Irish Dancing, including step dancing, ceili dancing and other team dancing'
An Coimisiun was established in 1929 following a Commission of Enquiry which was set up by the Gaelic League (Conradh na Gaeilge) to "investigate and make recommendations on the state of Irish Dancing" An Coimisiun is now over 70 years in existence.

It set up a register of those recognised as qualified dancing teachers and adjudicators. There were 32 teachers and 27 adjudicators in Ireland at that time. Since then the figure has grown to over 1700 teachers and adjudicators throughout the world, who are registered with An Coimisiun, who have their Head Office in Dublin.

Representatives from the various regional organisations take their seats at the bi-monthly meetings of An Coimisiun, where policy matters and regulations are discussed and decided.

Rules were drafted for Feiseanna (dancing competitions) organisers and in 1943 and examination system was introduced for those wishing to become registered teachers (TCRG) and adjudicators (ADCRG)

A Regional Council is a body subsidiary to An Coimisiun and subject to control of:
An Coimisiun (a formal meeting of that body itself) or An Buanchoiste (the Executive or Standing Committee)
A Region means a geographical area specified by An Coimisiun as a Region for Coimisiun purposes.

A Regional Council is responsible for the promotion of Irish Dancing in general and the aims of An Coimisiun in particular in it’s Region. In doing so it is subject to the Constitution and Rules of An Coimisiun and to such directives as may be issued from time to time by that body.
Regional Council must co-operate and assist An Coimisiun in the operation of the competition registration scheme for its own region. It must ensure, that as far as possible, all organisers of registered competitions in the Region maintain as satisfactory level of efficiency, competence and professionalism in the organising, running and general presentation of their events and comply in full with the requirements of the Rules of An Coimisiun for Registered Competitions.

The membership of a Regional Council will normally consist of the following members: a) Six registered teachers and/or adjudicators elected by secret ballot by teachers and adjudicators resident in the Region.
b) Six members, who normally must not be teachers or adjudicators. Nominated at its sole discretion by An Coimisiun, taking into account suggestions from the Regions concerned. An Coimisiun may at any time permit these numbers to exceed six in either case.