Discussed at a meeting of An Coimisiún on Friday 30 October, a decision was reached to cancel the All Ireland Championships and postpone The Worlds next year due to increased restrictions in Ireland.
The statement by CLRG Oireachtas Chairperson James McCutcheon reads: “Whilst it is CLRG’s opinion that there may be some easing of restrictions prior to Christmas, with the anticipated increase in social and family interactions over the holiday season, there will be most likely a return to high level restrictions in middle to late January. It is reasonable to expect a further return to Level 5 could last for a further 6-8 weeks.
“With these expected restrictions and indeed to prioritise the health, safety and wellbeing of the dancing community, CLRG has no option other than to cancel Oireachtas Rince na hEireann 2021 with immediate effect.”
The next All Ireland Championships will take place in February 2022 in Killarney. It added that cancelling at this time should provide some certainty to teachers and dancers and will remove the burden of entry fee collection in the near future.
With the World Championships due to start just a short five weeks after the All Ireland Championships, it added that it is highly likely there will be some level of restrictions still in place that would affect CLRG’s ability to run the competition as normal.
The statement adds: “Whilst country wide restrictions may be slightly reduced from the present situation, it is anticipated that International travel may still be severely curtailed with self-isolation periods still being applicable for overseas visitors. It is totally unfair and unreasonable to expect any dancer to isolate for anything up to 14 days prior to competing, incurring large accommodation, food and additional expenditure on their families.
“Moreover, our dancing community cannot be seen to encourage or be complicit in the reintroduction or unnecessary spread of Covid-19. We have a clear moral and ethical duty to take all adequate measures to protect and safeguard each other and indeed the general population of Ireland.
“Therefore, after much deliberation and soul searching, it is with regret to announce that An Coimisiún has accepted that Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne 2021 cannot take place on the original dates.”
CLRG however added that it will continue pursuing the possibility of rescheduling the World Championships to 25th July to 2nd August 2021when the venue has full availability and Covid-19 restrictions may have reduced.
It was agreed that a final decision regarding the 2021 World Championships proceeding or not would be made by March 1 2021.
The All Ireland Championships was due to be held in the INEC, Killarney Co.Kerry, Ireland from 14-20 February 2021. While the World Championships was scheduled for 28 March to 4 April 2021, to be held at the Convention Centre in Dublin.
The statement concludes: “We hope that everyone can understand why these major decisions have been taken at this time and have some patience and empathy with members as they redouble their efforts to provide a suitable and safe environment for a return to the wonderful art form that is Irish Dancing.”
Read the full statement here.
