Complete competition rules are available at www.midwestfleadh.org. "Rialacha Fleadhanna Cheoil" (The Official Competitions Rulebook) along with the " 2023 Addendum" are the official and binding fleadh rules.
This document provides a detailed description of performance requirements for each competition and age group.

Music Performance Requirements:
"Rialacha Fleadhanna Cheoil" (The Official Competitions Rulebook) provides a detailed description of performance requirements for each competition and age group.
Competitors who play extra tunes, e.g. two jigs or two reels in lieu of one, shall be adjudicated on the first tune of the selection only and shall be penalized by the deduction of two marks for each extra tune attempted.
Please note: The piano for competitions will be an 88-note, weighted action digital piano.

Dance Performance Requirements:
Competitors may only perform 4-Hand or 8-Hand Céilí Dances from Ár Rincí Céilí (Revision September 2014) and subsequent updates in the Céilí dancing handbook issued by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha.
For detailed dance performance requirements, entries, categories, substitutions, etc please refer the Fleadh Competitions Rulebook ("Rialacha Fleadhanna Cheoil") page 13 (céilí dancing) or page 15 (set dancing).

Qualifying and Non-Qualifying Competitions:
Winners of First and Second prizes shall qualify to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (All-Ireland) in the same year.
The following three competitions will award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, however, winners will not be qualified for the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (All-Ireland):
  • 54 - Tír na nÓg (U-12 age group only)
  • 55 - An t-Aistear - The Journey (All ages over 12)
  • 56 - Recitation (Any age)
Tír na nÓg and An t-Aistear were created for musicians who want feedback on their playing from a qualified adjudicator; for those who find competition too stressful but want to be part of the festivities, or for beginners who are not quite ready for the qualifying competition. This is a low pressure, very positive event. Musicians or singers who choose to participate in Tír na nÓg or An t-Aistear cannot also compete in regular qualifying competitions on the same instrument. Entrants should plan to play two tunes in contrasting tempo or sing two songs: one lively, one slow. If the entrant performs only one piece, feedback will be given on that piece. Recitation gives entrants the opportunity to demonstrate this classic Irish art.

Media Permits:
The possibility of taking an audio or video recording of a competitor's performance requires the acquisition of a media permit (free of charge). Media Permits are given at registration and are valid for one competitor in one competition. Media permits will be heavily policed by competition stewards.

Schedule:
  Friday, April 25th
  • Registration desk opens 3:00pm
  • Duets and Trios 6:30pm
  Saturday, April 26th
  • Registration desk opens 7:00am
  • Solo Competitions start at 9:00am
  • Band Competitions start at 6:00pm
  Sunday, April 27th (no local feiseanna today)
  • Registration desk opens 9:00am
  • Sean Nós Competitions start at 9:30am
  • Set and Céilí Dance Competitions start at 10:00am