Mention Irish dancing or Celtic music, and many people think of Irish step dance, made popular recently by Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. But Irish dance is much more than that. Irish dancers enjoy four main types of dancing.
Irish Ceili Dancing
The Irish word ceili (pronounced “KAY-lee”) originally meant party or social gathering. Because parties usually included social dancing, the word ceili evolved to mean Irish social dancing or an Irish dance party, usually with a live band and a caller. Ceili dancing has been practiced in Ireland for centuries.
In a typical ceili dance, several couples dance together in a set pattern. Dancers learn the steps in advance or listen to a caller announce the steps. Ceili dances are usually performed in a line or circle, and sometimes dancers change partners during the dance. With intriguing names such as The Waves of Tory, The Siege of Ennis, or Fairy Reel, the dances often tell stories about Irish history or culture.
Irish Step Dancing
Irish step dancing developed around 1750, when Irish dance masters began traveling throughout the country teaching dance. In recent years it has become a popular performance dance around the world. Step dances are performed solo or in a group, where dancers in a line do the same steps. In a “stepabout,” individual dancers take turns performing original dance steps. Step dancing is a highly skilled art form, and serious dancers will meet together for an Irish step dance competition called a feis (pronounced “fesh.”)
Step dancing focuses entirely on the footwork. The torso remains rigid with arms held tightly at the sides. Although the reason for this is not entirely clear, several theories exist. Some believe it is because the Catholic church wanted to make sure the dances were pure and not sensual in any way. Others believe it was so the dance judges at a feis would focus on the footwork or simply because limited space for dancing forced dancers to restrict their arm movements. An intriguing theory is that because Irish dancing was banned when the British controlled Ireland, dancers only used their feet, so they would not appear to be dancing when seen through a window.
Step dancers start with soft shoe dancing, using tightly laced shoes called ghillies. Soft shoe includes jigs, reels, and slip jigs. Once dancers master the soft shoe, they move on to hard shoe, or Irish tap dancing. Beginners often start with a traditional hard shoe dance called St. Patrick’s Day and then learn Blackbird and Garden of Daisies. Irish dancers also create their own hard shoe dances.
Irish Set Dancing
Set dancing was created in the late 18th century, when the French introduced the Irish to the quadrille danced at the French court. Irish dance masters blended the two forms and developed a new style of dancing, using Irish music. In set dancing, four couples move together in a tight circle, using prescribed forms. Dancers do a series of figures, based on a common theme. Set dancing resembles ballroom dancing and employs steps such as the waltz, polka and swing, as well as the Irish forms of reel, jig, and hornpipe. Set dancing has become very popular in Ireland in recent years, and is gaining in popularity in the U.S.
Irish Sean-nos Dancing
Sean-nos means “low down,” and is a traditional solo old-style Irish dance that originated in the Connemara region on Ireland’s west coast. Sean-nose movements are low to the ground and often improvised. The steps are similar to tap dance. Unlike step dancing, in sean-nos, the dancers’ arms move freely and are sometimes incorporated into the dance steps. Sean-nos dancers usually wear street clothing and street shoes. In the Brush Dance, a popular sean-nos form, dancers use a broom as a prop.
Irish dancing of all types is popular for many reasons. Dancers enjoy the music, the social nature of the dance, and find that Irish dancing is an excellent form of exercise. Many dancers enjoy all four forms of Irish dance.
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