Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to be Irish to do Irish dancing?
Not at all! In fact, a large number of Irish dancers have no Irish heritage at all — they have just seen it performed by the Wiggles or Riverdance and fallen in love.
Can boys do Irish dancing?
Yes, boys do Irish dancing! Some boys are worried that they might be the only one in the class, but Irish dancing is a powerful and athletic blend of sport and art that many boys take part in.
Is Irish dancing expensive?
Some parents have concerns about the cost of dresses, shoes and travel for Irish dancing but, like any other activity, it all depends on how much you want to put into it. At Lenihan Academy there is no expectation or pressure to take on the added extras, and we have a secondhand shoe pool to help keep costs down. If your child eventually competes at an elite level there will naturally be some extra costs, but ultimately you are in control of how much you spend each step of the way.
What is AIDA?
AIDA is the Australian Irish Dancing Association - the peak governing body for Irish dancing in Australia.
What is CLRG?
CLRG is An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha — the oldest and largest governing body globally for competitive Irish step dancing.