There are now TWO main requirements before you are eligible to take the full teaching exam (TCRG) or the Ceili exam (TMRF).

1. There is a minimum age requirement, which is that you have
   to be over 20!
2. You must be recommended by a TCRG or ADCRG
   who knows you and can confirm that you are able to dance to
   an acceptable standard for the Practical part of the exam (see below)

To take the full TCRG exam costs €595 (about GB£475)

or to just take the TMRF (Ceili) exam costs €395 (about GB£315)

If you fail any section, or sections these can be retaken (see below) for an additional fee, which varies from €200 to €235 (GB£160 to GB£185) depending on which section it is. There is a slight discount on retaking of more than one section. You should note however that hidden in the small print it says the minimum fee for a retest is €315 (GB£250)

fees correct as at 1st January 2009

If an applicant fails any part they can retake it on its own within a limited time period.
NOTE: A candidate who fails to obtain a minimum of 50% of the marks available in a section (excluding the oral Irish test if applicable) will not be granted exemption from repeating those sections in which the qualifying mark is achieved. In other words they will have to retake the whole examination!

Where a candidate fails on three successive occasions to qualify for the T.C.R.G. Certificate he or she at the next (i.e., fourth) attempt will be required to repeat the entire Examination (except the Irish section if already passed.)

A Maximum of 6 attempts to pass the examination are allowed, including any repeat of any part.

The full examination must be completed, including any any sectional re-tests, within Five years of first entering. Failure to do so will require a FULL re-test
(subject to the rule of there being a Maximum of 6 attempts allowed)

1. Practical test in stepdancing *
2. Written examination in Ceili dances in ‘Ár Rince Foirne’
3. Practical test in teaching of Céilí dancing
4. Practical test in teaching of step-dancing
5. Written examination in dance music
6. Oral Irish test (for those intending to teach in Ireland).

Requirement for each section are set out in detail below.

* see Grade exams also as exemptions may be available

To help you decide if you fancy the test I've added some Examination Papers from previous years below, just click on the links to open the Adobe pdf file in a new window

January 2004 . . May 2005 . . June 2005 . . Dublin May 2005

Candidates must perform any or all of the following dances to the satisfaction of the Examiners:-

(a) Reel, Double Jig, Slip-Jig, Single Jig, Hornpipe.

(b) The following old set dances in the traditional manner and speed;
Garden of Daisies, Job of Journeywork, St. Patrick's Day, The Blackbird.

(c) Nine other set dances nominated in advance by the candidate.
These dances must consist of four in hornpipe time and four in jig time. The ninth can be in either time

Note: You must have different steps for each set-dance. You must have different settings for all nine set-dances and cannot simply repeat steps from an ordinary solo dance, e.g., double jig or hornpipe, in a set-dance.

QUALIFYING MARK - 70%
Honours pass is awarded for 80% or higher.
This will allow a credit to exempt you from the Solo dancing section of the ADCRG exam

* see Grade exams also as exemptions may be available

Candidates are required to have a thorough knowledge of all the dances in ‘Ár Rinci Foirne’**
(Blue covered edition 2003).

The examination paper consists of sixteen questions (12 x 5 marks and 4 x 10 marks).

Questions cover some or all of the 30 dances. Marks can be gained for correctly answered parts of a question, even if the full answer is not totally correct.

QUALIFYING MARK - 70%

** If you require a copy of the “Ár Rincí Foirne” book (approx £15) you can now buy a copy from
Glens Music of Belfast along with 3 CD's of the Ceili Music at an offer price of £45.00 (May 2009) or by looking under exam materials on the CLRG website. (Note no details are given and you need to contact CLRG direct)

Candidates are required to teach a group of dancers parts of different dances from the official book
‘Ár Rinci Foirne’** as chosen by the examiners.

Amongst the qualities taken into account during your assessment, you will be assessed on the following
(1) Instruction (should be clear, concise and suitable for those under instruction)
(2) Control of individuals and class
(3) Knowledge of dances and movements to be taught
(4) Voice (should be audible and clear)
(5) Ability to guide dancers through the movements
(6) Ability to note & correct mistakes made by dancers

You may also be required to demonstrate that you are personally capable of performing the basic steps required in Ceili dancing.

QUALIFYING MARK - 70%

** If you require a copy of the “Ár Rincí Foirne” book you can now buy a copy here

Step-dancing: Candidates will be required to teach a light and a heavy step of such different degrees of difficulty as the examiners may request in all or any of the following dances:

Reel, Slip Jig, Single Jig, Light Jig, Double Jig, Hornpipe
Traditional Set Dance
Open Set Dance - (chosen from nine previously submitted)

Candidates may also be required to show how they would handle beginners or very young children, identify and correct faults, and teach basic movements such as Rocks, Drums, Crosskeys, etc.

Amongst the qualities taken into account in assessing a candidate’s capabilities in this section are as follows:
(1) Instruction (should be clear, concise and suitable for those under instruction)
(2) Clarity and audibility of instructions
(3) Ability to demonstrate and break down steps
(4) Selection of suitable steps
(5) Manner of handling dancers
(6) Identification and correction of faults.

QUALIFYING MARK - 70%.

(1) Nineteen set dance tunes are played and 5 marks are awarded for each correctly identified tune as follows:

1. Correct Name of Tune = 2 marks

2. Correct Time Signature = 1 mark

3. Correct Number of bars in step & in set = 2 marks only if both correct

NOTE: if you FAIL to name the tune correctly then NONE of the five marks are awarded

(2) Five tunes will be played and candidates required to indicate in the case of each tune which of the following it is:-

Reel, Slip-Jig, Single Jig, Double Jig, Hornpipe

QUALIFYING MARK - 70%

This is compulsory for teachers living or intending to Teach in Ireland.
A teacher who takes up residence in Ireland who has not previously taken this part of the examination must do so within two years. The examination is conducted in Gaelic and tests the candidates knowledge of the teaching phrases and dance steps etc.

QUALIFYING MARK - 50%