Goleen | SKU: IRCHIGO198BLA11C

Childrens Irish Dancing Featherflexi Core Jig Shoe, Beginner Hard Shoes - GL50 EMBER

€95,00 EUR

Structured children’s first jig shoes with EchoDrive™ resin tips, EchoBase™ heels, a Featherflexi™ contoured insole and an engineered-stiff full leather sole.

Beginner Support
Lace-Up Comfort
Full-Grain Leather

Color: Black

Childrens Irish Dancing Featherflexi Core Jig Shoe, Beginner Hard Shoes - GL50

Size

Average Fit Rating

Snug Loose

Shoe Fit & Break-In

Ensuring your jig shoes fit perfectly is crucial for optimal performance and comfort. Here are some tips to help you find the right fit and break in your new Irish dancing shoes:
1. Snug Fit: Jig shoes should fit snugly but not too tight. Your toes should have enough room to wiggle slightly, and your heel should stay in place without slipping. A snug fit ensures better control and support during dancing.
2. Poodle Socks: Wear the same type of socks you plan to use during dancing when trying on your jig shoes. This helps in getting an accurate fit.
3. Lace Up Properly: Ensure that you lace up your jig shoes tightly and evenly. This provides better support and keeps your feet secure within the shoes.

Breaking In Your Jig Shoes:
1. Wear Them Around the House: Before hitting the dance floor, wear your new jig shoes around the house. This helps the leather and suede sole to mold to the shape of your feet.
2. Short Practice Sessions: Start with short practice sessions to gradually break in the shoes. Avoid wearing them for extended periods initially to prevent discomfort or blisters.
3. Flex the Soles: Gently flex the soles of your shoes by hand to soften them up. This makes it easier to perform intricate steps and movements.

At a Glance

• Designed as a child’s first Irish dancing hard shoe
• Suitable for beginner and primary-grade dancers
• Soft full-grain black leather upper
• Engineered-stiff full leather sole
• EchoDrive™ high-density resin front tip
• EchoBase™ resin striking plate on solid heel block
• Tonally matched front and heel sound
• Featherflexi™ lightweight contoured insole
• Soft toe box for early hard-shoe technique
• Four-eyelet adjustable lace-up front
• Single buckle ankle strap
• Comfortable from first lace-up
• No soaking, heat or forced bending required
• Suitable for weekly classes and early feiseanna

Materials & Construction

• Upper: Soft full-grain black leather
• Sole: Engineered-stiff full leather sole
• Front Tip: EchoDrive™ high-density resin tip
• Heel: EchoBase™ resin striking plate bonded to a solid heel block
• Sound Character: Tonally matched tip and heel
• Insole: Featherflexi™ lightweight contoured insole
• Toe Box: Soft, beginner-focused construction
• Closure: Four-eyelet lace-up front
• Strap: Single buckle ankle strap
• Fit Character: Secure children’s beginner fit
• Flex Character: Structured and supportive
• Break-In Character: Comfortable from first lace-up
• Colour: Black

Care information

• Do not soak, wet or steam the shoes
• Do not use a hairdryer, radiator or direct heat
• Do not forcefully bend, fold or twist the sole
• Loosen the laces and unfasten the strap before removal
• Wipe the leather gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth
• Use suitable black leather polish sparingly on the upper only
• Keep polish away from the sole, EchoDrive™ tip and EchoBase™ heel
• Allow shoes to air dry naturally after class
• Never wear Irish dancing shoes outdoors

Shoe Size & Fit Advice

International shoe sizes can vary slightly between brands and models. Use your measured foot length as the best starting point, then compare it with the individual brand's size recommendation. Where a product page gives model-specific sizing advice, that guidance should always take priority over a general conversion chart.

Adult Shoes

International Adult Shoe Size Conversion

A general reference for comparing EU, UK and US adult shoe sizes. Foot length is shown to make cross-brand comparison easier.

Foot Length cm	EU	UK	US Women	US Men
21.5	35 / 35.5	2.5 – 3	4.5 – 5	3 – 3.5
22.0	36	3 – 3.5	5 – 5.5	3.5 – 4
22.5	36.5 / 37	3.5 – 4	5.5 – 6	4 – 4.5
23.0	37 / 37.5	4 – 4.5	6 – 6.5	4.5 – 5
23.5	38	4.5 – 5	6.5 – 7	5 – 5.5
24.0	38.5	5 – 5.5	7 – 7.5	5.5 – 6
24.5	39 / 39.5	5.5 – 6	7.5 – 8	6 – 6.5
25.0	40	6 – 6.5	8 – 8.5	6.5 – 7
25.5	40.5	6.5 – 7	8.5 – 9	7 – 7.5
26.0	41 / 41.5	7 – 7.5	9 – 9.5	7.5 – 8
26.5	42	7.5 – 8	9.5 – 10	8 – 8.5
27.0	42 / 42.5	8 – 8.5	10 – 10.5	8.5 – 9
27.5	43	8.5 – 9	10.5 – 11	9 – 9.5
28.0	44	9 – 9.5	11 – 11.5	9.5 – 10
28.5	44.5	9.5 – 10	11.5 – 12	10 – 10.5
29.0	45	10 – 10.5	12 – 12.5	10.5 – 11
29.5	46	10.5 – 11	12.5 – 13	11 – 11.5

Children's Shoes

International Kids' Shoe Size Conversion

Children's shoe sizing changes from child to youth sizing as feet grow. Measure the child's foot rather than converting from an existing school or trainer size wherever possible.

Foot Length cm	EU	UK Kids	US Kids / Youth
14.0	24	7	7.5
14.5	25	7.5	8
15.0	25.5 – 26	8 – 8.5	8.5 – 9
15.5	26.5	9	9.5
16.0	27 – 27.5	9.5	10
16.5	28	10	10.5
17.0	28.5	10.5	11
17.5	29 – 30	11 – 11.5	11.5 – 12
18.0	30.5	12	12.5
18.5	31	12.5	13
19.0	32 – 32.5	13 – 13.5	13.5 / 1Y
19.5	33	1	1.5Y
20.0	33.5	1.5	2Y
20.5	34 / 34.5	2	2.5Y
21.0	35	2.5	3Y
21.5	35.5	3	3.5Y
22.0	36	3.5	4Y
22.5	37	4	4.5Y
23.0	37.5	4.5	5Y
23.5	38	5	5.5Y
24.0	38.5	5.5	6Y
24.5	39	6	6.5Y
25.0	40	6.5	7Y

Dance World Tip

Never choose a dance shoe from conversion alone. Ballet, jazz, ballroom and character shoes can fit very differently depending on the last, upper material, width and intended level of compression. Use this table to understand international equivalents, then follow the fit advice for the individual shoe.

Dance World Measuring Guide

How to Measure Your Feet for Dance Shoes

Measure both feet while standing, preferably later in the day. Use the longer foot when comparing your measurement with a shoe size chart.

Foot Length

Key Measurement

Stand with your heel lightly against a wall and place your foot flat on a sheet of paper. Mark the end of your longest toe and measure the distance from the wall to the mark.

Measure in centimetres for the most accurate comparison with international shoe charts.

Measure Both Feet

Repeat the measurement on the other foot. It is very common for one foot to be slightly longer than the other, so always use the larger measurement when choosing your starting size.

Foot Width

Measure across or around the widest part of the forefoot. Width can be just as important as length in dance shoes, particularly in fitted ballet, jazz and ballroom styles.

Measure While Standing

Take measurements with your full weight on your feet. Standing allows the foot to spread naturally and gives a more realistic measurement than measuring while sitting.

Check the Dance Fit

A correctly fitted dance shoe should feel secure without restricting the toes or causing pressure. Different dance disciplines require different amounts of growing room, compression and heel security, so always follow the model-specific Dance World Fit Advice.

Using This Conversion Guide

This chart is designed as an international reference rather than a replacement for individual brand sizing. Bloch, Capezio, So Danca, IDS, PortDance, Diamant and other dance footwear brands may use their own conversion systems or fit differently from standard street shoes. Always use the individual product's Dance World Fit Advice where available.

Dance World Fit Note International shoe conversions are approximate and can vary between manufacturers, lasts and shoe styles. Foot length provides the most useful starting point, but the individual brand's size chart and model-specific Dance World fitting recommendation should always take priority.

Best For: First Hard Shoes • Beginner & Primary Grades • First Trebles • Weekly Classes • Early Feiseanna • Grade Examinations

Description

The Goleen Ember GL50 Children’s Irish Dancing Jig Shoes are supportive first hard shoes designed for young dancers learning trebles, drums and early Irish dancing rhythms. Soft full-grain leather combines with a structured full leather sole, a Featherflexi™ contoured insole and Goleen’s clear EchoDrive™ and EchoBase™ sound system.

Ember is made for the excitement of a dancer’s first proper jig shoe: comfortable from the first lace-up, secure around the foot and structured enough to support the early stages of hard-shoe technique.

Made for First Hard-Shoe Steps

A child’s first jig shoes should provide a stable foundation for learning balance, timing and controlled foot placement. The Ember GL50 has an engineered-stiff full leather sole, giving developing feet the support needed while children learn how to point, lift, land and work through the forefoot.

The EchoDrive™ high-density resin tip creates a bright, crisp strike, while the EchoBase™ heel uses a resin striking plate on a solid heel block for a clean, defined drum sound. The front and heel are tonally matched, helping early rhythms sound clear and balanced.

The lightweight Featherflexi™ insole sits beneath the foot without unnecessary bulk, while the soft toe box is designed for children learning trebles and drums rather than standing on the tip. Four-eyelet lacing and a single buckle ankle strap allow the fit to be adjusted securely for class.

Dance World

Parent
Guide

Why Does a First Jig Shoe Feel More Structured?

Ember is not designed to feel like a very soft or highly flexible championship shoe. Its firm full leather sole gives young dancers something stable to work with as they learn how to control their feet, ankles and weight in hard shoes.

The soft leather upper and toe box make the shoe comfortable from the first lace-up, while the structured sole provides the support needed in the early stages. This is intentional: a beginner needs to build strength and technique before progressing into a more responsive advanced shoe.

As technique, strength and training demands develop, the dancer may later progress into a lighter or more flexible jig shoe if recommended by their teacher.

Dance World

Size
Guide

How Should Children’s Jig Shoes Fit?

Irish dancing jig shoes should fit securely around the foot, but they should not fit like tightly curled soft pumps. Your child’s toes should lie naturally, with the longest toe reaching close to the front without painful pressure or being forced hard against the tip.

The heel should remain securely seated as your child walks and rises, while the upper should sit neatly over the foot without gaping, twisting or moving independently during movement.

Always measure your child’s foot rather than using their current school-shoe or trainer size. Everyday shoes often include growing room already, and different jig-shoe constructions can fit very differently.

Quick fit check: Ask your child to stand, walk and rise onto the balls of both feet on a clean, protected surface. The heel should stay seated, the foot should remain securely held and the sole should bend at the natural forefoot rather than through the middle of the arch.

Dance World Size Guide is intended as a helpful starting point. Foot shape, width, instep height, growing-room requirements and teacher preference can affect the best size for each dancer. We recommend asking your child’s Irish dancing teacher to check the fit before the shoes are fully worn.

Choosing first hard shoes does not need to feel complicated. Begin with a carefully measured foot, choose a secure and natural fit, and avoid generous growing room. If you are unsure, the Dance World team will be happy to help you compare the measurement with the Goleen Ember GL50 size chart before ordering.

Reviews (0)

About Goleen Brand

About Goleen - Innovative Irish Dancing Shoes for Every Stage

Goleen is a modern Irish dance footwear brand designed in Dublin, created with one simple goal: to provide dancers with the right shoe at every stage of their journey. From a dancer's very first class to Open Championship competition, Goleen offers thoughtfully designed soft shoes and hard shoes that combine premium craftsmanship with innovative performance technology.

Made from genuine leather and engineered for exceptional comfort, every Goleen shoe is ready to dance straight from the box, with no lengthy break-in period. Exclusive innovations such as Goleen Rebound™ cushioning and the Goleen Resonance™ toe block provide enhanced comfort, durability and sound, helping dancers train and perform with confidence. Trusted by teachers, parents and dancers alike, Goleen combines traditional quality with modern innovation to support every step of the Irish dancing journey.

Delivery & Returns

All orders are sent via GLS. A signature will be required upon receipt of your order. If there is no-one available to accept the package a calling card will be left behind for you so you can re-arrange delivery.

Free EU Standard Delivery on orders over 99€

Please visit our delivery page for further delivery information and our returns page for returns information.

Customer service can be contacted via email : orders@danceworld.ie

By phone - Ireland: 01 497 6129, UK and Rest of World: 00 353 1 497 6129