Dance Competitions in Ireland
Ballet competitions and multi-genre competitions with ballet sections, across all 32 counties
Every competition we know of in 2026 that a ballet dancer in Ireland can actually enter. Some are ballet-only. Others are multi-genre competitions where ballet or ballet/character is one section among many, and those are marked as such on the listing so you know what you are walking into. Filter by county above, or open a listing for dates, age groups, entry fees and the qualifying route to any final.
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A pair for Sunday 8 November at the O’Reilly Theatre, Dublin. Joining the ballet.ie newsletter is the entry: free, closes 13 September.
Enter the drawAD Competition
- 26 Sept 2026 – 27 Sept 2026Charleville Park Hotel, Charleville, CorkRegister
- 31 Oct 2026 – 1 Nov 2026Stranmillis University College, Belfast, Antrim
- 6 Mar 2027 – 7 Mar 2027Venue to be announced, Belfast, Antrim
- 24 Apr 2027 – 25 Apr 2027Charleville Park Hotel, Charleville, Cork
- 8 May 2027 – 9 May 2027Church of Scientology, Dublin
5678 Elite Dance
- 17 Oct 2026 – 18 Oct 2026Dublin City University, DublinRegister
- 31 Oct 2026 – 1 Nov 2026Charleville Park Hotel, Charleville, Cork
- 27 Feb 2027 – 28 Feb 2027Pillo Hotel Ashbourne, Ashbourne, Meath
- 9 Apr 2027 – 11 Apr 2027Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex, Newtownards, Down
- 28 May 2027 – 30 May 2027The MAC Theatre, Belfast, Antrim
Relevé Dance & Performing Arts Competition
Prestige Dance Competition
Dance World Cup
Past competitions
8JULWed
Dance World Cup 2026 World Finals
Competitions & FestivalsEnded
8 Jul 2026 – 18 Jul 2026DublinThe Convention Centre Dublin4-25 years (All ages are calculated as of January 1, 2026.)All Levels
9MAYSat
Irish National Ballet Competition 2026
Competitions & FestivalsEnded
9 May 2026 – 10 May 2026Maynooth, KildareMaynooth BNS7yrs - 21yrsAll Levels
9APRThu
Dance World Cup 2026 Ireland Qualifiers
Competitions & FestivalsEnded
9 Apr 2026 – 12 Apr 2026DublinChurch of Scientology4-25All Levels
Two kinds of competition, and why the difference matters
Ballet-only competitions judge classical technique against classical standards. The Irish National Ballet Competition is the best-known, with categories running from age 7 up to 21. Adjudicators are ballet specialists, and the feedback a dancer takes home is ballet feedback.
Multi-genre competitions are the larger part of the calendar. Ballet or ballet/character sits alongside modern, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, acro and street, and a dancer can enter one section or several. The Dance World Cup qualifiers work this way, as do most of the touring competitions that run heats across Ireland and Britain. The standard in the ballet section varies more than it does at a ballet-only event, which cuts both ways: less predictable competition, but a far gentler place to compete for the first time.
We flag multi-genre competitions on the listing itself rather than leaving you to work it out from the entry form.
How entry usually works
Most competitions take entries through a dance school rather than from individual dancers or parents. The teacher reserves places, often against a deposit, then submits the entries, music and timings. If your child dances with a school, the entry conversation starts with the teacher.
Fees are typically charged per dance, with solos costing more than duets or trios, and group entries cheapest per dancer, plus a one-off registration fee per competitor. Where an organiser has given us their fees, they appear on the listing.
Touring competitions run regional heats that feed a national or international final, and qualifying usually means placing in the top few of your section above a published score threshold. The heat is the part that happens near you. The final is often somewhere else entirely, so it is worth knowing the travel commitment before you enter.
Getting listed
Organising a competition with a ballet section? Submit it here and it appears on this page and in the calendar once reviewed. Listings are free.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I enter a dance competition without being in a school?
- Usually not. Most organisers accept entries only from a registered school or teacher, who handles reservations, music and timings on the dancer's behalf. A few accept independent entries, so check the individual listing or contact the organiser directly.
- What age can a child start competing?
- Many competitions have a section for dancers of 5 and under, then band upwards in roughly three-year groups to a senior section at 15 and over. Age is normally taken from the first day of the competition, not the date of entry.
- Does my dancer need competitive experience to enter?
- No. Several competitions run novice sections reserved for dancers with little or no competitive experience, so a first-timer is judged against other first-timers rather than against dancers who have been competing for years.
- Do these competitions cover Northern Ireland?
- Yes. This page lists competitions across all 32 counties. Use the county filter above to narrow to your area. Note that competitions held in Northern Ireland usually price their entry fees in pounds.
- How do qualifiers and finals work?
- Regional heats feed a national or international final. Qualifying generally means placing first, second or third in your section and scoring above a mark threshold that rises with age group. Organisers confirm qualification after the heat, and the final is usually months later.
- How do I list a competition?
- Use the Submit an Event form and choose Competition. Listings are reviewed before going live and expire automatically seven days after the end date.