The Irish Dancing Teachers Association of North America (IDTANA) was born in March, 1964 when Mae Butler, Fedelmia Davis, Kevin McKenna, Peter Smith, Cyril McNiff and Anna O’Sullivan met at the Irish Institute in New York City.  They came together with the goal of assuring teacher and adjudicator competency, as well as standardizing the ever growing number of feisanna throughout North America. 

The surviving founders of the IDTANA: Anna O'Sullivan, Peter Smith, and Fidelmia Davis are still active members and were recently voted lifetime positions on the IDTANA Executive Board.

Since that small humble beginning, and through the efforts of many dedicated Irish Dance Teachers throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, the IDTANA has grown now to nearly 650 members - with over 100 members in Canada, 550 members in the United States, and one member in Mexico.  The IDTANA consists of seven regional branches: Mid Atlantic, Mid America, Western US, Eastern Canada, Western Canada, New England and Southern US.  

The IDTANA operates in tandem with An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland.   All members of the IDTANA must be registered and certified as a TMRF, TCRG or ADCRG by An Coimisiun.   Additionally, North America currently has 23 voting members of An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha, which includes the 7 Regional Directors along with two elected members of each Region, the IDTANA Executive Board, and the elected North American Vice Presidents of An Coimisiun.

The emphasis of the IDTANA is to promote Irish Dance throughout North America.  Through continued cooperation with the North American Feis Commission, each region regulates Feiseanna in their area with a standardized syllabus of competitions and rules.  

Annually, the IDTANA sponsors the North American Irish Dance Championships during the first week of July.  The "Nationals", as they have become known as, is recognized as North America's  secondary qualifying event for the annual World Championships held each year around Easter and sponsored by An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha.  The primary qualifying event for dancers to qualify for the World Championships is their Regional Oireachtasi held in November and December each year.

  2010 NAIDC PARENT VOLUNTEER FORM

The success of the 2010 North American Irish Dance Championships revolves around the volunteer efforts of many people.  For parents who would like to volunteer, we would ask that you download the Parent Volunteer Form and submit as indicated.  Your help will ensure a very successful North American Irish Dance Championships.

   2009 IDTANA Convention Minutes

The 2009 IDTANA Convention Minutes are now available in the Member's Section.  It is important that all teachers read and take note of the minutes and acquaint themselves with recent amendments. 

Michael Mullane ADCRG

   2010 North American Irish Dance Championships

The Irish Dancing Teacher's Association of North America, Inc. (IDTANA) and the IDTANA-Mid Atlantic Region are proud to announce the dates and location of their flagship world qualifying Irish dancing event for the 2010 dancing season.  The North American Irish Dancing Championships will be held:

THE WALT DISNEY WORLD SWAN & DOLPHIN HOTELS, ORLANDO, FLORIDA

July 2 – July 7th, 2010

Schedule and further information on the competition is available here.   Room Bookings will be made on line through the above website or by telephone 1-800-227-1500 toll free or 1-407-934-2300 direct. Bookings will open September 15th 2009 for teachers.  

All other bookings open October 15th 2009.

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