Perpetual trophies are a great part of Feiseanna. For those who don’t know what these are, I’ll briefly explain. Perpetual trophies are awarded to the winning dancer in a few select competitions at every Feis. The trophy is usually given in honor of a special dancer or person. The winner of the competition takes home a trophy of their own to keep, as well as the perpetual trophy. They are allowed to hold onto it for one year and then return the trophy to have their name engraved on it. The trophy is then awarded to a new dancer at the Feis.

I have only won a perpetual trophy once, but it was a very significant win for me. It was the first time I won 1st place in Preliminary Championship. The trophy I won is called The Callie King Memorial Trophy. When the trophy was awarded to me at Feile Denver, I was told that Callie King is an adult dancer who tried for many years to win first place in Preliminary Championship, but was never able to reach her goal. So every year this trophy is awarded to the first place winner of the 18 and Over Preliminary Championship competition in remembrance of her. I was very honored to receive it.

This weekend I’ll be road tripping to Feile Denver once again. I am returning the trophy so another dancer can recieve it this Saturday. I’ll be sad to see it go. It’s quite beatiful, but even though I don’t get to keep it on my trophy shelf, I think having my name engraved on a trophy that will be passed from dancer to dancer for many years is much more exciting.

Have you ever won a Perpetual Trophy?

Click here for more photography by Shelly.

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1. Feile Denver 2010
2. Shelly Hathaway, From Preliminary to Open Championship
3. Top 5 Favorite Irish Dance Photo Moments
4. Do Irish Dance Solo Dresses & Wigs Distract The Audience From A Great Performance?
5. Having Confidence In Yourself As An Irish Dancer