RINCE All Irelands Celebrates Irish Dance Across Traditions, Ages and Organisations
Independent competition showcases both traditional and modern Irish dance, with competitors ranging from age four to over 50.
The inaugural RINCE All Irelands, held this year at the Scientology Community Centre in Dublin, welcomed competitors from Ireland, England and Germany, representing four different Irish dance organisations. Created as an independent competition, RINCE All Irelands provides a welcoming platform where dancers from different backgrounds and organisations can compete together and share their passion for Irish dance.
“We started as a magazine about Irish dance but were forced to take a break during lockdown,” said Erin Coyle, founder of RINCE. “Instead, we decided to host an online competition to raise money for various food banks. Following its success, we were asked to continue and help keep dancers’ spirits up. From there, our competitions grew in popularity and have since developed into regular events, both online and in person.”
This year’s RINCE All Irelands competitors ranged from four years old to over 50 and represented four different Irish dance organisations.
A major highlight was the Set Belt competition, in which championship dancers demonstrated both sides of the art form. They first performed a modern set with no restrictions on the movements they could use, followed by a traditional set performed to strict traditional standards.
“For me, hosting the Set Belt was one of the most meaningful parts of the event,” said Coyle. “It was amazing to see dancers perform both styles to such a high standard and show how Irish dance can preserve its traditions while continuing to develop and innovate.”
The event also featured a Parade of Champions, recognising winners at every level from Beginner through to Open Championship. Organisers said the opportunity to recognise and celebrate dancers across all levels received particularly positive feedback.
The competition was organised with the support of volunteers Grace Noblet, Sarah Angus, Colette McCann and Jamie Dunne, who played key roles in its planning and delivery. Coyle also praised the team at the Scientology Community Centre for their support in staging the event.
“This was my second event at the Scientology Community Centre, and both times the planning and the event itself have gone extremely smoothly,” she said. “In the weeks beforehand, the team worked through everything we needed, from lighting and tables to the presentation of the results. When I walked into the venue on the day, everything was ready to go, which took away so much of the stress involved in running an event.”
The inaugural RINCE All Irelands highlighted the broad appeal of Irish dancing, bringing together dancers across ages, countries and organisational boundaries while celebrating both its traditional foundations and continued evolution — an ethos closely shared by the volunteers of the Scientology Community Centre.
“Hosting the inaugural RINCE All Ireland was an opportunity to celebrate heritage but also a chance to champion its place in the future.” said Asia Kuzma, Public Relations Officer at the Church of Scientology & Community Centre of Dublin. “This initiative embodies the belief that tradition and heritage need not stand in opposition to development and innovation, but can help shape meaningful and sustainable progress. This concept resonates with our own vision of a modern society that upholds its moral and spiritual heritage while embracing unprecedented technological advancement and the possibilities of the future.”
The Church of Scientology & Community Centre of Dublin opened its doors in 2017 to serve as a hub for local community events and activities, in keeping with Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard’s vision that all Scientology Churches should serve as a home for the entire community and a meeting ground for cooperative efforts. In addition to providing regular Church services and life-improvement courses, the Church & Community Centre hosts weekly community events and works together with all denominations and numerous community groups on initiatives, including drug prevention, human rights education, restoring moral and spiritual values, environmental, cultural, charitable, and art projects. In 1956, L. Ron Hubbard lived in Dublin with offices in Merrion Square, where he launched humanitarian initiatives, which continue to flourish throughout the world today.
