Meangrad

Meángrád is the third competitive grade in the CRN system. At this level, dancers begin to show real maturity in their technique, stronger rhythm in heavy shoes, and more expressive, confident performance quality. Steps become more complex, rhythms become sharper, and dancers start to develop their own style while maintaining CRN’s core standards of tidiness and control.

Competition Dances

Meángrád expands both the technical difficulty and the variety of dances performed.

• Light Dances — Reel, Slip Jig, Single Jig

• Heavy Dances — Heavy Jig, Hornpipe

• Traditional Set Dance — Dancers perform a traditional set at this level (e.g., St. Patrick’s Day, The Blackbird, Job of Journeywork depending on readiness and teacher guidance)

Steps become more intricate, with increased emphasis on lift, clarity, and stamina.

Special Award Rounds

Major CRN events such as the Regionals and the Irish Open offer a Meángrád Award.

• The Award typically includes Slip Jig and Jig unless otherwise stated by the event.

• Progression: A dancer who wins 1st place in the Award may move up to the next level in the dances performed.

Award rounds at this level test both technical strength and performance quality.

What Adjudicators Look For

Expectations rise significantly in Meángrád as dancers begin to refine their artistry and precision.

• Rhythm & Musicality — Perfect timing, clear accents, and confident phrasing.

• Footwork — Strong turnout, tight crossing, and clean, controlled movements.

• Heavy Shoe Clarity — Sharp, crisp beats with consistent volume and rhythm.

• Elevation & Strength — Higher jumps, stronger lift, and powerful yet tidy execution.

• Presentation — Confident stage presence, tidy carriage, and expressive performance.

These qualities prepare dancers for the advanced demands of Ardgrád.

Competition Entry & Progression

All entries continue to be managed through crn.feishost.com.

• Teacher Guidance — Your dance teacher will advise when your child is ready to compete in Meángrád and when they are ready to progress further.

• Grading Out — To move to Ardgrád, a dancer must place 1st in a round with enough competitors to qualify.

• Three‑Win Rule — If there are not enough dancers to grade out automatically, a dancer may move up after winning 1st place three times in that specific dance.