Intercollegiate Irish Dance Festival

In the fall of 2013, Villanova created the first Intercollegiate Irish Dance Festival. The team worked hard to receive approval by both, the Irish Dancing Teachers Association of North America and the Irish Dancing Commission, An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha, in Ireland. This is essential as it allows current competitive dancers to continue competing while participating in these festivals. The festival is unique as it provides a space for college dancers to gain a sense of community, allows retired dancers to reconnect with friends, and welcomes new beginners into the Irish Dance world.

The morning competitions feature a 4-hand reel, 8-hand reel, treble reel, and fun number. The 4-hand reel, 8-hand reel, and fun numbers all showcase the team’s ability whereas the treble reel is a solo competition. The fun number is often danced to non-traditional music and allows the team’s individual choreography to be displayed. This dance was originated specifically for the festival and remains at the heart of Collegiate Irish Dance.

Since, the inaugural year the Intercollegiate Irish Dance Festival has grown more than anticipated. Our creation has spread to other campuses and as a result our team travels each spring to a different competition. Villanova’s dancers have left their mark on our campus but have also impacted campus’s nationwide. As a result of Villanova’s initial success in 2013, Irish Dance Magazine featured the competition in an article, which is shown to the right. The team is certain that the festival will only continue to grow and develop along with Collegiate Irish Dance.

Currently, Villanova is working on hosting their Fourth Annual Intercollegiate Irish Dance Festival which will be held on Saturday, October 1st! For more information on attending the event, please visit our homepage of the Intercollegiate Irish Dance Festival, follow us on Facebook, or click here!