Scléip

Scléip is a fun and exciting talent competition open to Irish medium post-primary schools, with an emphasis on contemporary arts. Post-primary students are given the opportunity to perform music and songs on stage in front of an audience and professional judges, in theatres across the country.

Post Primary Level

After carefully reading all the general rules/conditions below, complete the entry form at the top of the page, and forward it to us, with the appropriate fee, before the closing date for entries

If you have any questions, please contact Bláthín blathin@gael-linn.ie

The competition is open to students in Gaeltacht post-primary schools, Gaelcholáistí and all-Irish units only. All competitors must be attending one of these schools full-time and evidence of attendance at the all-Irish unit must be provided where appropriate.

The Junior Division is for students in the junior certificate classes and the Senior Division is for students in the leaving certificate classes. Transition Year students are considered senior students. In the North of Ireland, the junior division will be open to GCSE students and the senior division to A-Level students. There will be one division (i.e. Juniors or Seniors, or a combination of these age groups) in the Crowd Singing competition.

Each school is permitted to enter up to two competitors/two groups in each competition (i.e. 2 Juniors/2 Seniors/2 groups). A person who is participating in a junior individual competition cannot also participate in the senior competition.

In group competitions that have two divisions i.e. Junior and Senior, a person from a junior class will be allowed to be in a senior group, as long as that person is not participating in the same competition in the junior division with another group. In any group competition, no person will be allowed to participate in the same competition with two different groups. Of course, a senior student cannot participate in any junior competition.

A teacher from the school must be mentioned as a contact person on the entry form. A guardian can attend the competition with the competitor in the event that the named teacher is not available.

Contact with the teachers who will be dealing with us regarding Scléip will be maintained mainly through email. Therefore, it is important that the school email address and the teacher’s own email address are clear on the entry form. No personal data will be shared with any third party.

Any theme will be accepted but the lyrics of the songs must be appropriate for a school competition (racist, harmful, venomous etc. pieces are not allowed).

Gael Linn will have the right to use images taken at Gael Linn events as publicity material for the organisation in the future provided that we have obtained prior permission from schools.

This competition is run through the medium of Irish and Irish is the language of communication and the working language of the competition. Only entries in Irish will be accepted. Teachers and guardians are asked to ensure that participants speak Irish during Scléip events.

It is recommended that teachers proofread lyrics.

Anyone using soundtracks with lyrics in any language other than Irish will be disqualified. It is recommended that a ‘karaoke’ version be used if music with lyrics in Irish is not suitable.

The current order of the day must be adhered to.

Each item must be within the time allowed.

All schools are requested to attend the entire competition, as much as possible, and to be spectators when not on stage.

Parent or teacher participation will not be permitted on stage itself.

School uniform or casual clothing is permitted. It is up to the school to make this decision.

It is up to the competitors to arrange any costumes, musical instruments, amplifiers or support they require.

If competitors are using a backing track, it is important to send the music to blathin@gael-linn.ie at least a week before the preliminary round/final.

The judges will take into account the entertainment value of each item in their work. However, as a guide for themselves and the competitors, they will use the marking system below. The judges’ marks will not be made available to anyone.

Marks may be deducted for any item that exceeds the maximum time limit stated for each competition.

The final decision regarding the winner(s) of the competition rests with the judges. No correspondence will be permitted with the judges regarding their decision.

The winners of the preliminary rounds will be awarded a place in the final.

Competitors will be allowed to make changes to their performance from the preliminary round, especially if they were recommended by the judge, but must ensure that they still adhere to the rules of the competition.

Commemorative plaques will be awarded to the final prize winners.

The Scléip Award will be presented to the best entry at the Finals and the NÓS.ie Award will be presented to the best newly composed song at the Finals.

Gael Linn will welcome feedback on the competition following the finals.

Gael Linn has a public liability insurance policy which covers all of our schemes. However, at events organised for school children, Gael Linn is a facilitator rather than a supervisor, and each group must nominate a teacher or adult who will be responsible for the safety and supervision of the students.