The 2021 CLRG World Championships has been cancelled, according to a statement released today.
The annual competition known as Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne was scheduled to take place in Dublin in July 2021, depending on Covid-19 restrictions.
But due to uncertainty surrounding Ireland’s easing of lockdown restrictions and worldwide travel restrictions, the decision was made to the delay the 50th anniversary of the championships for a second year. The competition will now take place in Belfast between 10-17 April 2022.
The statement released on the CLRG website reads: “At the meeting of An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha earlier today, the feasibility of Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne 2021 still proceeding in July 2021 was discussed… the members were critically aware of the lack of opportunities, losses and disappointment that the dancing community has endured over the past 12 months.
“The dividing line between reality and providing hope, is indeed a very narrow and precarious one. Decisions can only be made on current guidelines and what advice is available via various health agencies.”
It added: “It is still the considered opinion of An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha that our dancing community cannot be seen to encourage or be complicit in the reintroduction or unnecessary spread of the Covid-19 virus. We have a clear moral and ethical duty to take all adequate measures to protect and safeguard the dancing community and indeed the general population of Ireland.”
It also explains that the rollout of vaccinations in Ireland appears to be behind other nations. It added that even if restrictions have eased by July, it is expected there will still be significant restrictions on international travel into Ireland, and that it could not be considered a true World Championships when competitors from some countries would be prevented from coming.
It continued: “It is therefore with incredible sadness and inevitability that An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha has cancelled Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne 2021 and that the 50th Anniversary of the Championships will take place in Belfast between the 10th and 17th April 2022.”
It explains that anyone who was entitled to dance at Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne 2021 may fall back on that entitlement should they not requalify at their Regional Oireachtas later this year. World Medal holders from 2019 will not be stepped over at either the regional or national events in 2021, as such places have already been stepped over in 2019. In addition, there is no substitution for 2021 regional qualifiers that are unable to attend Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne 2022. If Covid-19 restrictions are still in place preventing a 2021 Regional Oireachtas to run in a region, then the default list submitted by each region will be used.
Read the full statement here.
