Buckinghamshire Championships 2026: what dancers and families need to know
Our Buckinghamshire Championships are on Saturday 31 October 2026 at The Reach Free School, Rickmansworth. The venue, the grades, the rules and the closing date.
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Our Buckinghamshire Championships, Craobhacha Buckinghamshire, take place on Saturday 31 October 2026. Here is everything dancers and families need to know, with the full syllabus on the championships page.
Where
The Reach Free School, Maple Cross, Long Lane, Mill End, Rickmansworth WD3 8AB.
Entries
The closing date for entries is Monday 19 October 2026. For any questions about entering, email openfeis@gmail.com.
Who can dance
There is something for every level, from Tiny Tots and an Under 5 ungraded section to open championships:
- Tiny Tots special: 16 bars of reel music. Dancers may enter the special or the Under 5 ungraded, not both.
- Graded competitions from 5 and under 6 upwards, in four grades: Novice (Bungrád), Primary (Tús Grád), Intermediate (Meán Grád) and Open (Árd Grád).
- An Under 10 open set dance competition.
- Céilí championships for girls' and mixed teams, from Under 10 to Over 18, with four hand reels, figure dances and more.
- Adults over 21.
Costumes and make-up
All Novice and Primary dancers, up to and including the Under 12 age group, may only wear a class costume, simple dancewear or appropriate attire: a skirt and top or a simple dress for girls, and trousers or shorts with a T-shirt or shirt for boys. Make-up is not permitted for any dancer in the first two grades, up to and including Under 12. This rule applies worldwide, and not following it can lead to disqualification.
Adjudicators and musicians
Nine adjudicators (moltóirí) are judging: Sharon McSweeney (USA), Katie Dean (USA), Jackie O'Leary Fanning (Canada), Nadine Martin (Northwest), Tara Loughran (Liverpool), Gerard McQuaid (Ulster), Michael Stanley (Ulster), Sharon Taylor (Scotland) and Finbarr Conway (London), all ADCRG. The music (ceoltóirí) is from Majella Collins Brooks (London), Paul O'Donnell (Ireland) and Kieran McHugh (London).
There is 100% recall in all championships, and the championships are registered with An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha.
A few tips for the day
- Arrive in good time to find your stage and collect your number.
- Pack both pairs of shoes, spare socks, safety pins, water and something to eat.
- Label everything: shoes look very alike in a busy changing area.
- Check the results boards during the day, and cheer on your friends.
Last year's results, and this year's syllabus, are on the championships page to download. We look forward to seeing you there.
