Full information on the World Irish Dance Association and their Grade Exams, as well as registration and payment, are found on the WIDA website: https://www.irish.dance/grade-examinations Contact Mrs. McAvoy with any questions about the exams or registration process. Remember to register by May 21st for the exams, taking place at BTID studio on June 21st, 2025! AFTER your register, fill out the Sign Up form to let us know that you are participating.

Grade 1 Solo Steps: Beginner Reel, Beginner Light Jig

Each dancer will perform 32 bars of the Beginner Reel and Beginner Light Jig. The first two videos below demonstrate the Beginner Reel, first slowly from the back then full speed from the front. (NOTE: This is our school's ADVANCED Beginner level reel).

For the Beginner Light Jig, pick TWO full jig steps to perform the right and left foot. You may pick any of our school's 8 jig steps. (Jig steps all start with jump, kick, hop back 2 3 4). Practice performing the two you have chosen on the right and left foot without stopping in between. Remember to bow when you are finished.

Grade 1 Ceili Portion: The Walls of Limerick

All Beginners at Bethlehem Irish Dance have learned and performed this ceili dance! Here is a video of other dancers performing the Walls of Limerick. (Yes, the video says Grade 5, this is a different school, different grade system!) Make sure you know the positions (ALWAYS Gentlemen on the right and ladies on the left) and who goes first and what foot to be on. (For example, note that the ladies cross on the left foot, the gentlemen on the right, always facing the opposite lady or gentleman as they pass). When performing the ceili dance, watch your hand catches and arm position, and make sure to have nice posture and dance up on your toes with nice threes and sevens the whole time.

Grade 1 Oral Exam Portion: Capitals and Counting to 10

For the oral portion of the Grade 1 Exam, each dancer will be individually asked to answer three simple questions, which are listed below along with the answers to study. For the counting in Irish, here is a video to help you as well (or ask an Experienced Beginner, they have learned this already!)

1. Name the capital of the Republic of Ireland: Dublin

2. Name the capital of Northern Ireland: Belfast

3. Count from one to ten in Irish:

a haon (a hayn)

a do (ah doh)

a tri (ah tree)

a ceathair (ah kah-her)

a cuig (ah ku-wig)

a se (ah shay)

a seacht (ah shokht)

a hocht (ah hukht)

a naoi (ah nee)

a deich (ah jeh)

You will NOT be asked to write these, just to recite them. The pronunciation is in parentheses, as well as demonstrated on the video.

Grade 2 Solo Steps: Beginner Single Jig and Beginner Slip Jig

Each dancer will perform 32 bars of the Beginner Single Jig and the Beginner Slip Jig, demonstrated in the videos. Stay up on your toes, point your feet, pull all the way up above the knee in front and kick all the way up in back.

I am narrating each of these videos, but if it's too fast to follow, you can slow them down with the widget in the top right corner.

PLEASE NOTE: We were informed last year that it was not permitted to turn in the Beginner Slip Jig, so please continue your step to the side at that point in the dance instead of turning in a circle.

Grade 2 Ceili Portion: The Fairy Reel

Dancers Intermediate and above should be familiar with this 6 hand Ceili dance, Fairy Reel, HOWEVER, we have never done the full version that you'll be tested on. There are two sections of the dance that most of you never learned. Please see the video and the instructions below, and know that we will practice this together in June.

Setup: 2 ladies on either side of a gentleman in the middle across from the same. Dance proceeds as described below. Please note, "Promenade" means skip 2-3's.

1. Advance and retire twice: Each line takes hands and advances with promenade step toward the other line (2b) and retires back to place (2b). Repeat and on the second retire everyone takes hands to form a circle.

2. Ring right: All sevens to the right finishing with two short threes. Sevens to the left and break back into two lines while dancing two short threes.

3. Advance and retire twice: Each line takes hands and advances with promenade step toward the other line (2b) and retires back to place (2b). Repeat and on the second retire everyone takes hands to form a circle.

4. Ring left: All sevens to the left finishing with two short threes. Sevens to the right and while dancing two short threes the gent should turn to face the partner on his right while the lady on the right turns left to face the gent.

5. Slip sides: Partners facing each other take right hands and sevens to the gents' left, finishing with two short threes. They now sevens to the gents right and during the threes release hands and the gent turns to face the other lady.
This movement is repeated starting with sevens to the gents' right.

6. Gents link arms: Gents promenade toward each other, link right arms and dance clockwise for 4b. Switch arms and dance back, end facing their right-hand partner.

7. Turn the ladies: Gents take right hands with his right partner and dance around her clockwise with promenade step. Give left hands to the lady on the left and promenade around her counter-clockwise. Give right hands to the lady on the right and dance around her clockwise one more time. End back in the center with both lines facing each other.

8. Diamonds and Squares: The ladies dance a square all the way around the set using sevens and threes. Start by changing places with the other lady in the line (lady going to the right goes behind) with sevens and dance two short threes. On the second three the lady turns 90 degrees to face the position they just left. Ladies going right turn to the left, ladies going left turn to the right. The ladies continue dancing sevens and threes, moving all around the set until they are back home.
While the ladies are dancing the square, the gents also sevens and threes except they dance a diamond with the points at the middle position between the ladies. While continuing to face 'forward' the gents sevens to the right while moving slightly forward so they end between the ladies and face to face with the lady from the right-hand end of the opposite line. Dance two short threes turning counter-clockwise to form a new line. Gents continue dancing sevens and threes this way until they reach their home position.
Each line takes hands while dancing the last two threes.

9. Arches: Gents raise right hands and guide the left-hand lady underneath the arch and follow her under while the right-hand lady dances around on the outside. Continue with the gent raising his left hand and guiding the right-hand lady under while the left-hand lady dances around on the outside. Guide the left-hand lady under one more time while the right-hand lady dances in place.
Everyone (including the gent) should be dancing promenade step throughout.

10. Advance, retire and pass through: While holding hands, each line advances and retires, drops hands and advances through the opposite line.

Grade 2 Oral Portion: Facts and Irish Vocabulary

For the oral portion of the Grade 2 Exam, each dancer will be individually asked to answer five simple questions, which are listed below along with the answers to study. For the words in Irish, here is a video to help you as well.

1. Who is the patron saint of Ireland? St. Patrick

2. Name the female saint whose feast day is celebrated on February 1st. St. Brigid

3. What is the official emblem of Ireland? The Harp

Say the following words in Irish:

"Welcome" -- Failte (Fall-cha)

"Well done/good" -- Maith thu (mah hoo)

Grade 3 Solo Steps: Beginner Treble Jig, Beginner Hornpipe, St. Patrick's Day

Each dancer will perform 32 bars of the Beginner Treble Jig, the Beginner Hornpipe, and the full step and set of St. Patrick's Day, demonstrated in the videos.

Work on clean-sounding trebles, stay right on the beat, keep your heels up off the ground and stay crossed over and turned out.

Pull your cuts up high and kick up all the way in back.

There is an extra hornpipe video on the playlist showing just the leadaround more slowly from behind if you need it.

The St. Patrick's Day video contains both the full dance slow from behind with me saying the steps and the full dance full speed from the front, with a little of me muttering to myself between takes (enjoy!).

Grade 3 Ceili Portion: The Bonfire Dance and The Harvest Time Jig

Some dancers will recognize the Bonfire dance, as we have performed at least parts of it before, and the Advanced Beginner recital dance was based on it this year. Here is a description of the part of the dance to help you understand the video:

This is a round dance for at least six couples (preferably more!). It was traditionally danced around the Bonfire on St. John´s Eve.
All stand in a ring, ladies on the right of their partners.

1. Advance and retire: While all holding hands slowly advance for four bars, then retire for four bars.

2. Rings Right: While holding hands everyone sevens to the right, dance two short threes. Sevens back to the left and end with two short threes.

3. Advance and retire: While all holding hands gradually advance four times and then retire four times, lead with left foot.

4. Rings Left: While holding hands everyone sevens to the left, dance two short threes. Sevens back to the right and end with two short threes. While dancing the final threes, turn to face your partner.

5. Sidestep in and out: Everyone sidestep to their own right and back to place without dancing threes.

6. Link right arms: Link right arms with your partner, promenade clockwise halfway. Switch arms and promenade counter-clockwise back to place.4

7. Sidestep in and out: Everyone sidestep to their own left and back to place without dancing threes.

8. Link left arms: Link left arms with your partner, promenade counter-clockwise halfway. Switch arms and promenade clockwise back to place.

9. Ladies Rose: (While the ladies are dancing the gents should stand in place with their left hand on their hip and right toe pointed slightly forward.) Ladies slowly advance with promenade step for 4 beats. Take hands on the last three, sidestep counter-clockwise (right foot) and dance two threes while turning right to face out toward the gents.
Take hands and sidestep clockwise (right foot again), finishing with two short threes.
Ladies advance outward and take right hands with their partner and both turn clockwise to finish in their original positions (4 beats).

10.Gents Rose: Repeat above with gents on their left foot.

11. Swing and change partners: Partners take crossed hands and swing slowly for 4 bars to change places so that the lady is on the left of her gent. Partners now bow to each other (1b), gents turn clockwise and ladies counter-clockwise to face a new partner (1b). Bow to their new partner, face in and everyone take hands to repeat the dance from the beginning.
g.

This year's Primary one performed The Harvest Time Jig at Christmas. It is not very difficult at all. The set up is a gentleman with two ladies, one on either side, facing another group of three with the same setup. I chose the video link here because each part of the dance is written on the screen as it happens. Obviously your style should be more performative than these dancers.

1. Advance and retire twice

2. Sidestep right 7's to the right, ending with a rise and grind (hop, hop back, hop back 234). Sidestep back and rise and grind.

3. Ring right All six dancers put right hands in the middle and dance clockwise for 4 bars, turn in place, put left hands in and dance home.

4. Sidestep left 7's left, rise and grind, 7's back, rise and grind.

5. Ring Left All six dancers put left hands in the middle and dance counter-clockwise for 4 bars, turn in place, put right hands in and dance home.

6. Step and turn Gents turn toward partner on the right. Both sink and grind twice (two rising steps) on the right. Take right hands and dance around back to place. Repeat with left hand partner, sink and grind again on the right but turning with left hands.

7. Advance, retire and pass through

Advance and retire as usual, advance and pass through the opposite couple passing right shoulders with the opposite person. Take hands with your line to repeat the dance.

Grade 3 Oral Portion: Irish geography and Irish greetings

The candidate will be required to know the following:

How many counties in the Republic of Ireland? 26 counties

Name any six counties. (Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare,Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo,Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow)

How many counties in Northern Ireland? 6 counties

Name any two counties. (Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone)

Name the four provinces in Ireland: Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Connaught

The candidate will be required to say the following in Irish:

Hello - Dia Dhuit (Jia which)

Goodbye - Slán

Please - le do thoil (le doh heel)

Thank you – Go raibh maith agat (gu ru mah agat)

Grade 4 Solo Steps: Primary Reel, Primary Hornpipe, Blackbird

I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.

Each dancer will perform 32 bars of the Primary Reel, the Primary Hornpipe, and the full step and set of The Blackbird, demonstrated in the videos. Work on clean-sounding trebles, stay right on the beat, keep your heels up off the ground and stay crossed over and turned out. Pull your cuts up high and kick up all the way in back. In softshoe, stay turned out and crossed over, high up on your toes, very high straight kicks and travel across the floor.

Please note we start the hornpipe step differently, with a "jump and toe and toe treble and a toe and toe hop." The rest is the same.

You may do either the primary reel steps or the Intermediate 2 reel steps (big kick and side step) as those are not too advanced to count for this level.

Grade 4 Ceili Dances: The Sweets of May, The Seige of Carrick

The Sweets of May is an eight hand with some similar movements to our Performance Troupe 8-hands, the Three Tunes, and it is always danced to the specific tune "The Sweets of May." Start with all couples in a square facing each other.

All take hands
1. Ring left All dancers join hands in a ring of eight and side step clockwise, finishing with two short threes. Side step counter-clockwise and again finish with two short threes8

2. Ring right Repeat the previous movement this time moving counter-clockwise and then clockwise. While dancing the last two threes, fall back to place and keep in inside hands.

Steps 3-6="The Body"

3. Cross-over and Back Top couples take partners with inside hands and exchange places with the promenade step, gents passing left shoulder to left shoulder (2b). While tops exchange places side couples dance two threes in place. Side Couples change places (2b) while tops dance in place. Both tops and side repeat to return back home (4b)

4. Advance and Retire Top Couples holding inside hands, advance to meet in the center while side dance two threes at home (2b). Sides advance to the center while tops retire (2b). Tops now advance and retire while sides dance threes at home (4b)

5. Ringing the Bells Everyone bend at the waist and clap their left hand above their left knee and right hand above right knee 4 times (for a 1-2-3-4 count) (1b)
Clap hands in front of your face, twice (1b)
Repeat the knee and front claps (2b)
Sidestep 7's and 3's with partner, gent passing behind (4b)

6. Ring the bells again Repeat Ringing the bells with gents passing in front this time.

7. Lead around right Partners take inside hands and lead around counter-clockwise pack to home position. Release hands, turn around to face clockwise (when turning, turn so that as you're turning you face your partner and continue turning to your final direction) and take inside hands

8. Lead around left Promenade back home, release hands and fall back into position, taking inside hands again.

9. Repeat the Body

10: See saw counter-clockwise Everyone face their partner and take uncrossed hands. Swing around the set counter-clockwise to home position while turning around your partner clockwise. The arms are not moved in a see-saw motion in this movement. Keep holding hands.

11. See saw clockwise Couples reverse their swing and return, moving in a clockwise direction to place.

12. Repeat the Body

13. Sides Under Arms Take inside hands with your partner. Tops form an arch and face to their right, sides to the left. With promenade step, tops and sides change places, second sides passing under the arch formed by first tops, while first sides pass under the arch of second tops. Release hands and turn to face back (4b). Everyone take inside hands again and dance back to place, this time with sides making the arch and tops passing underneath (4b).

14. Sides Under Arms Repeat with the opposite couple. First sides passing under the arch of first tops, second sides passing under second tops. Repeat to home as previous.

15. Repeat the Body

16. Ring left

17. Ring right

The Seige of Carrick is a fairly simple four hand typically danced to the tune "Haste to the Wedding."

Two couples face each other. All join hands in a circle.
1. Ring left and right Each set forms a ring and sidestep sevens to the left finishing with two short threes. Sidestep right and two short threes.

2. Right and left wheel Turn to the left and put right hands in the center of your set, shoulder high with ladies hands above the gents. Promenade clockwise for 4 bars, turn clockwise and put left hands in the center and promenade back to place.

3. Down the center and turn Couple face each other, first couple dances down the set on the inside using promenade step while the second couple dances up the set on the outside (2b). Without turning around, the couples change places so the first is on the outside and second is on the inside. First couple reverses up the set while the second couple reverses down (2b). All clap hands twice and then hook right arms and turn once in place.

4 Up the center and swing Couples advance again but this time the second couple dances up the center and first couples dances down. Reverse back to place. Clap hands twice again but instead of hooking arms and turning in place, all couples hook arms and as they turn, the first couple progresses down the set as the second couple progresses up. Upon reaching the new position, immediately form a circle with your new couple and repeat the dance. The dance is repeated until the musicians or dancers pass out. :-D

Grade 4 Oral Portion: Dance vocab and Irish History and Current Events

Candidates will be required to know how to say the following words in Irish:

Reel - Ríl/Cor ("rill")

Jig - Port ("poort")
Hornpipe – Cornphíopa ("corn HWEEP uh")

The candidate will be required to answer the following:
Who was the first High King at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014? Brian Ború

What was the ancient capital of Ireland called? The Hill of Tara (accept Tara)
Name the current President of Ireland. Michael D. Higgins
Name the current Prime Minister of Ireland. Micahel Martin

How do you say President in Irish? Uachtarán ("wook-train")
How do you say Prime Minister in Irish? Taoiseach

("tea-shook")