Structure of “Tir na nOg”

Tir na nOg is the name of our dance company but our Tir na nOg dancers compete under the “Sweeney-McAvinchey School” in National and International Feiseanna. We have two locations operating under the Sweeney-McAvinchey name - Landstuhl / Ramstein and Munich. Mary Sweeney directs the Landstuhl location and the Munich location is directed by Shane McAvinchey. Please note that the schools are not connected financially meaning all course fees / tuition fees are separate to each location and cannot be carried over to another.

Costumes

Beginner / Primary

All Beginner & Primary dancers who wish to compete must have a full class costume. Please speak to your teacher to find out how to order a costume.

Intermediate / Prelim / Open

Intermediate & Open dancers may purchase a solo costume. These costumes can be quite expensive therefore all dancers must speak to the teacher before placing an order for a solo costume. The teacher will advise on what sort of costume will benefit the dancer most.

Feisanna (Irish dance competitions)

Whilst competing is not for everyone, we do encourage that all of our dancers compete in Feisanna which are held in cities across Europe throughout the year. We particularly encourage our dancers to take part in the Ramstein Feis in October and the Munich feis which takes place at the end of the June each year. Feisanna are a great way to inspire dancers to practice and perfect their steps and also a great chance to meet and watch dancers of other schools.

Competitions are split into age groups and offer Beginner, Primary, Intermediate & Open levels. Once you have learned your Beginners Reel you are eligible to compete in that dance! There is no problem if anyone doesn't want to compete and simply wants to dance for fun, but we can guarantee that once you do your first feis you will want to do more and more, because they ARE fun!

Performances/Recitals

All our dancers get a chance to perform!! Whether its St Patricks Day parades or pub gigs or our annual Christmas Show and Summer Recital we prepare dancers for all of these performances. We have also being known to perform at Stadtfests and Military Marching fests. Costumes are provided by the school.

In the dance class...

All dancers should wear comfortable clothes to class - shorts and t-shirt are ideal.

Adults can choose to wear whatever they feel most comfortable in, keep in mind that you WILL be sweating! Beginners can just wear trainers / socks on their feet for the first few classes but will then be encouraged to order the appropriate dance shoes.

We do recommend that beginner dancers wear the school t shirt and black shorts which can be purchased at the dance school.

All Intermediate & Open Children/Teen dancers must wear Poodle socks to class. All dancers MUST wear their dancing shoes in class at all times.

Please remember that when you are in class you are there to learn. Full attention and respect must be paid to the teacher and any mistreating of fellow class members will absolutely not be tolerated.

Everyone is in class to have fun but also to learn. If you listen to your teacher and remain courteous in class, there will be no problems.

Please keep the changing rooms and studio tidy at all times.

Remember to keep any valuables with you at all times or just leave them at home! We will not be held responsible for any lost or damaged items.

CLASS FEES

Stretch/Strengthening Classes for all levels 

These classes are highly recommended for all Irish dancers and form the basis of dancing your steps to the best of your ability.

Classes run every Friday 4pm for beginners  and primaries and 4.30pm to 5pm for advanced. 15 euros a month.

• Other Class Fees

Drop In Class: 14 Euros

First Trial class is Free for new dancers.

• Private Lessons:
  60 Min Lesson- 50 Euros, Mary or Shane
  60 minute College and newly qualified TCRGS 35 euros.
  60 minute Student teachers 25 euros .
• Family Fees :
  10 % discount of the total fee of 3 or more dancers from the one family, excluding stretch classes.
  Private lessons should  be booked through Ms Mary.

• How to pay

Payments can be made by bank monthly on the 1st of every month  during each  Semester ; September 1st - January 1st
Spring Semester : February 1st, June 1st

Bank details
Account Name: Mary Sweeney
Deutsche Bank
Kaiserslautern
IBAN : DE35 5407 0024 0020 184800
IBIC : DEUT DEDB 540

or by cash at the postbox at the studio on the first dance day of each month or quarter.

How do we register for weekly classes ?

Each dancer must register by filling out the online form.

You can find the form here - https://mursweeney.wufoo.com/build/irish-dance-registration-landstuhl-2021-2022

You must choose which weekly classes you will attend and stick with those days. It is not allowed to choose weekly which day you will attend class. Consult your teacher if you need to do a make up and we will see if one is available at your dancers level.

If, for some reason, you decide that you would like to change your day, you may do so at the end of a month as long as the class you would like to attend is not fully booked. Please contact Ms Mary directly  if you wish to change your class day.

A one-off membership payment of 25EUR is required from every dancer in the school each year.

This fee will go towards the following costs:

• Studio
• Administration costs
• RCCEA school registration fee
• Insurance

It will entitle every member to the following:

• Access to classes
• Monthly Newsletter
• Participation at competitions under the "Sweeney-McAvinchey school"
• Participation in school performances, extra rehearsals for performances within reason, Christmas Show, Munich St Patricks Day Parade and St Patricks Day performances.

Terms & Conditions

You must register in advance for each class you would like to take, you will not be able to pick and choose which class you attend on a week to week basis.

Class cancellation policy

A class will be cancelled if less than 5 dancers register.

If less than three dancers show up for class then that class will be cancelled.

If your class is cancelled because not enough dancers show up then you are welcome to join another “make up class” during the week that is of your level.

If you know that you are not going to make a class you should email us right away to let us know. We will try and inform dancers in good time, via email & text message, if a class has to be cancelled.

Remember, if you do not let us know that you will not make it, there may be dancers who travel to class only to be told to go home again.

Please try and make it to all classes!!

Cancellation of membership

You may cancel your membership with Sweeney McAvinchey Irish dance School after you have given us 3 months notice.
This should be done by email and should be done at the end of a quarter. After 3 months has passed, from notice of cancellation, you may stop your payments.

No refunds can be given due to injury.

Agreement

You hereby agree that the Sweeney-McAvinchey staff  will not be held liable for any accident, injury or loss or damage of property occurred at any Sweeney-McAvinchey organized events or classes in person or online.

You agree to comply with the conditions set out in this document.

You agree that in the case of competitions of performances it is up to the Sweeney-McAvinchey directors to decide who can take part in these events.

You agree that while you are a member of Sweeney-McAvinchey Irish dance school you may not be a part of any other Irish dance class, group, workshop or organization unless special permission has been granted by the Sweeney-McAvinchey directors.

This is in accordance with the rules set out by “An Comisiun le Rinci Gaelacha” the worldwide association of Irish dance with whom we are affiliated.

You agree to abide by the rules set out by CLRG while a member of Sweeney-McAvinchey Irish dance school.

FOR CHAMPIONSHIP DANCERS ONLY - 

Stipulations for competing in Preliminary, Open and Major Championships under the Sweeney-McAvinchey dance school Germany:

Stipulations for competing in Preliminary, Open and Major Championships under the Sweeney-McAvinchey dance school Germany:

1. In order to compete in an Open Championship in Mainland Europe a dancer must:
   • Know all required dances and steps fully.
   • Placed 1st in at least one Intermediate dance.
   • Have an up to date, approved, modern costume and adhere to the advice of appearance by teachers.
2. In order to compete in a Preliminary Championship outside Mainland Europe a dancer must:
   • Know all required dances and steps fully.
   • Dance in an Open championship in Mainland Europe.
   • Have an up to date, approved, modern costume and adhere to the advice of appearance by teachers.
3. In order to compete in an open championship outside Mainland Europe (excluding major championships) a dancer must:
   • Know all required dances and steps fully.
   • Place in top 5 of a championship in Mainland Europe and/or placed in the top 5 in a Prelim Championship outside Mainland Europe.
   • Must have an up to date, approved, modern costume and adhere to the advice of appearance by teachers.
4. In order to compete in the Mainland European Championships a dancer must:
   • Be selected to take part by the teacher.
   • Know all required dances and steps fully.
   • Danced in at least one complete  open championship that year.
   • Have an up to date, approved, modern costume and adhere to the advice of appearance by teachers.
5. In order to compete at All Irelands, British Nationals, Great Britains, All Scotlands or US Nationals, a dancer must:
   • Recall at an open feis in Ireland or England in the past two years.
   • Commit to at least 3 classes a week and attend every class (unless appropriate reason is given and agreed with by teacher).
   • Win a preliminary championship outside Mainland Europe within the previous two years.
   • Have an up to date modern costume and adhere to the advice of appearance by teachers.
   • Participate in at least 3 open feisanna in Ireland or England within the  previous year.
6. In order to compete at the World Championships a dancer must:
   • Qualify at Oireachtas.
   • Recall at an open feis in Ireland or England within the previous dance year.
   • Place in the top 70% at either the Great Britains, All Irelands, All Scotlands, US Nationals or British Nationals.
   • Commit to at least 3 classes a week and attend every class (unless appropriate reason is given and agreed with by teacher).
   • Placed in the top three of an Open championship.
   • Won a preliminary championship outside Mainland Europe.
   • Have an up to date modern costume and adhere to the advice of appearance by teachers.
   • Participate in at least 3 open feisanna in Ireland or England within the previous dance year.

These are stipulations that must be met by any dancer who wishes to compete at the highest level. Teachers decision is final and exceptions may be made upon review of individual dancers' circumstances.

Once you have filled in the online registration form and paid the registration fee you are a member of the school and agree to abide by the rules above.

We wish you a happy, successful and fulfilling journey with Irish dance and the Sweeney McAvinchey Irish Dance School.

Best regards,
Mary & Shane
School Directors.