Cross your knees, turn out your feet, and keep your arms by your sides for this one because whether you are a beginner, champion, or know someone who is an Irish dancer, you can relate to having some if not all of these experiences. Eighteen years and a lifetime of feisanna later, Irish dance is not only a hobby, it is sport that requires a whole lot of time, dedication, and sacrifice. Not only has Irish dance taught me so much about my own culture it has allowed me to celebrate and share it with the world. It has instilled within me a sense of confidence, presence, sportsmanship, responsibility, and family. In all being an Irish dancer is a way of life, following you long after you have hung up the wig and the dress. All that I have experienced has made me who I am today.

1.) The Struggle of Explaining to Friends

"I'm an Irish dancer"

"Oh so like cogging?" -Nope not at all

"So riverdance?"- Sure

...and then they proceed to give their best impression that looks sort of like this:

2.) You Can Spell O-i-r-e-a-c-h-t-a-s?

Competition season brings about the majors or qualifiers like regionals or oireachtas, nationals, worlds, all Irelands, etc. The competitions hosted year round are called feisanna (feis). As if explaining the concept of Irish dance couldn't get harder, throw in some gaelic words and confuse your friends even more.

3.) Is That Your Real Hair?

Don't lie you have pretended its was your real hair at least once. Those perfect curls are sure to get you noticed out in public. People envy you for your luscious locks.

4.) The ENDLESS Supply of Bobby Pins

Whether they have fallen out on the stage, are lost in your hair, or stuck in your wig you can never have enough. The wig has got to stay on some how so another trip to Sally's Beauty shop it is. Of course after purchasing a whole new pack you start to find them showing up in the most random places

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5.) Spray Tan Addiction

You've modeled that faux glow and with trial and error have managed to get the perfect shade of orange to make you stand out. Wearing shorts to school in the middle winter so you don't mess it up, we've all been there and done that. The worst is when you stay at the hotel and all the sheets and towels are white...whoops!

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6.) We Sweat Sparkles, Literally

A Swarovski Queen whether it's your socks, your dress, accessories, from head to toe you shine. You'll find it takes a few days and multiple showers later to wash out all that glitter spray and sparkle makeup from your hair and face. It's all worth it when you catch the judges eye.

7.) Spending an Arm and a Leg... On a Dress

Irish Dance comes with a cost and as the times change so does the style. We spend at least one month's rent on a nice apartment in the city for a custom made design shipped from Ireland and a pair of bloomers that look like an oversized diaper. On top of that you're going to need a new one in another year.

8.) You Irish Dance Can You Show Us?

9.) Planning Vacations Around Competitions

As much as your friends and family may dread the hours of sitting and waiting, they will always be in for a fun trip. Irish dance can take you anywhere whether it's down the street, at the beach, Disney World, or another country.

10.) Did You Win?

We all win and loose but sometimes it's not about getting first. Explaining how a feis works is another story. Competing against any where from 20-40 dancers in a feis and up to 300 in qualifier event one can realize how hard it can be to actually place first. For most of us the goal is to recall which in most cases is being the top half of the competition and getting to compete in all three rounds at a qualifier. Just making it there is a win when they start at 8 in the morning on a weekend if you ask me.

11.) Excuses, Excuses

12.) Never Having Enough Room

Whether it's in your basement, studio, or performing on a stage it always seems like there is never enough room to do your steps.

Example: Dancing on Boards

13.) Running Into Someone

You have two seconds before stepping on the stage to tell the girls the directions of your steps in hopes that you won't run into each other. If you don't it's bound to be a game of bumper cars. Good luck.

14.) You Have Owned or Still Own:

15.) Awards

All the blood, sweat, and tears are worth it when it comes to winning a feis or a qualifier. Your awards collection consists of trophies, medals, sashes, crystal vases, trinkets, and dish wear because nothing celebrates a win more than getting a new bowl!

16.) Professional Hand Dancers and Foot Tapers

If you sit behind one of us in school it might be distracting we can't stand still. Our feet are constantly practicing steps under our desks our on the streets. We also use our hands to practice when we aren't dancing or have to keep quiet.