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| Irish "Set" dancing is the "other" Irish dance – Irish Country Dancing.
It is a form of social dancing, which has been enjoyed in Ireland for over 150 years and has seen a large-scale revival in the 1980s and 1990s; it is very popular today in Ireland and in Irish communities throughout the world. "Sets" are danced by eight people in a formation similar to that of American square dancing usually consisting of three to six figures with a short pause between each. The music these figures are usually danced to can include reels, jigs, hornpipes, polkas or sometimes the occasional fling. In set dancing there is less emphasis on footwork and more on the figures (the formation/movements of the dancers within the "set"). The basic footwork can be described as a low, ‘sliding’ movement. There are many different styles, from basic steps to very elaborately embellished steps. Just enjoy your own ‘style’ and have fun! |
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| "Sets" are descended from quadrilles danced at the French court in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and other related dances from Scotland, and elsewhere. They were brought to Ireland by the British army in the nineteenth century and were taught by the early Irish dance masters who adapted them to Irish traditional music and modified and elaborated them to form dances with great drive and enjoyment. There are said to be over 100 sets, which were adapted and danced at crossroads and homes in various locations all over Ireland.
The most popular sets danced at ceilis include: ••••For the most comprehensive guide to ALL things Set Dancing visit www.SetDancingNews.net Photographs courtesy of Bill Lynch, Editor Set Dancing News Magazine. |
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