Golden Dance Awards Ireland 2026

The Golden Dance Awards Ireland 2026 take place on Saturday 5 September 2026 at The Grand Hotel in Malahide, Co. Dublin. It is the second Dublin edition, run by the team behind the Golden Dance Awards NI, and it recognises dance schools, studio owners, teachers, choreographers, dancers, artists, volunteers, and organisers of feiseanna, festivals and competitions across Ireland.

Ballet is one of 13 awards in the Dance Style Excellence group, judged alongside jazz, Irish, tap, contemporary, lyrical and the rest. Ballet dancers can also enter Dancer of the Year at three age levels, Performing Arts Student of the Year, and the Pre-Professional Dancer / Performing Arts Student of the Year award for 18 and over.

The awards were co-founded by Catherine Hughes and Danielle Hughes Quinn. In their words, "this is more than an awards ceremony: it is a tribute to the artistry, commitment, and creativity that deserve recognition and a rightful place in the spotlight."

Categories, judging criteria and the nomination form are on the organiser's site at goldendanceawards.ie.

• Ballet and dance teachers, choreographers and dance assistants working anywhere in Ireland
• Dance schools of any size: up to 100 students, 101 to 250, and 250 or more
• Solo dancers aged 9 and under, 13 and under, and 17 and under
• Pre-professional dancers and performing arts students aged 18 and over
• Feis, festival and competition organisers, dance photographers, dance content creators, and dance parents

Awards are grouped as follows:

• Special recognition: Equality Diversity & Inclusion Award, Dance for Wellbeing Award, Choreographer of the Year, Up & Coming Choreographer of the Year, Dance Teacher of the Year (10+ years teaching), Up & Coming Dance Teacher of the Year, Dance Assistant of the Year, Dance Parent Award, Community Engagement Dance Award, Dance Photographer of the Year, and the Lifetime Achievement Award for 30+ years teaching
• Dance Style Excellence: 13 style awards including ballet
• Dance school awards: Small (up to 100), Medium (101 to 250) and Large (250+) School of the Year
• Dancer of the Year: aged 9 and under, 13 and under, 17 and under
• Performing Arts Student (song and dance): 9 and under, 13 and under, 17 and under
• Pre-Professional Dancer / Performing Arts Student of the Year (18+)
• Event awards: Dance Competition, Festival or Feis, and Project or Initiative of the Year
• Dance Creator & Influencer Award and Group Performance of the Year, which must be performed live on the night

Saturday 5 September 2026, The Grand Hotel, Malahide, Co. Dublin.

The organiser has not published start times, ticket prices or a nomination closing date. Check goldendanceawards.ie or email info@goldendanceawards.ie before making travel plans.

Ballet is judged in the Dance Style Excellence group, alongside jazz, Irish, line, baton, tap, hip hop, cheerleading, acro, contemporary, lyrical, freestyle and other. Ballet dancers are also eligible for Dancer of the Year at 9 and under, 13 and under and 17 and under, for Performing Arts Student of the Year at the same three ages, and for Pre-Professional Dancer / Performing Arts Student of the Year at 18 and over.

Awards night: Saturday 5 September 2026.

Nominations: submitted through the official nomination form. Solo audition entries for Dancer of the Year, Performing Arts Student of the Year and the Pre-Professional award must include video of up to two minutes, uploaded to Dropbox and emailed to info@goldendanceawards.ie with the performer's full name, dance or performing arts school, and age category. Entries without video are not judged. Finalists are notified by email.