Registered Teachers Mainland Europe is an expanding group of registered Irish dancing teachers living and teaching in mainland European countries. All teachers hold current registration with An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha - The Commission of Irish Dancing, the largest governing body of Irish dancing world-wide. The CLRG sets the highest standards for teachers, adjudicators and dancers alike and the RTME is its sole mainland European affiliate.

The Gaelic League created the CLRG in the late 1920s to establish standards for teachers and adjudicators of ID. As such, the CLRG is the oldest and most widely recognised custodian of this extremely popular facet of Irish culture. Since that time nine regional Councils have been established both in and outside of Ireland - in North America, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and most recently, mainland Europe. September 2003 saw the inauguration of a CLRG affiliate in mainland Europe under the name of Registered Teachers Mainland Europe. Since that date its membership has doubled to 24 teachers across 13 countries.

There can be no doubt that the establishment of Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne (World Irish Dancing Championships) in 1970 was the most significant development contributing to the rapid worldwide diffusion of Irish dancing. Many thousands of dancers dream of qualifying for this prestigious event but they must first qualify from their region at an event known in Gaelic as an Oireachtas.

How to become a registered Irish dancing teacher with An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha (CLRG) in Mainland Europe?

If you are a dance teacher and would like to register with the largest and oldest organisation promoting this art form you can now do so. You can take an assessment which includes all dances at the beginners level in both hard and soft shoe. You will be examined by an experienced examiner from the Udaras (Examinations Authority) and if successful you will be invited to complete the registration process whereby you will become a fully registered teacher with CLRG with Conditional status. Successful candidates are re-assessed every year until the time comes when you will be advised by the Udaras to sit your TCRG diploma.

There are many teachers holding such status who are making wonderful progress and many are developing top-class dance schools. They can participate in decision making within the teachers association RTME, as well as giving the opportunity to their dancers to compete at the highest level. One such teacher had a dancer who qualified for the World Championships just last year. This is wonderful proof that this new system for registration is working very well.

The latest development enhances this process whereby the Udaras are now sponsoring/funding weekend Teacher Seminars to help prepare teachers for their final exam and well as giving expert advice on how to develop a thriving Irish dance school.

The Assesments and Re-Assessments usually take place during our European Oireachtas.

All new teachers (TCRG, RTMF, CONDITIONAL, TEMPORARY) are most welcome to join RTME, please contact your RTME regional officer for further details.