Hey yallllss today you are learning the Irish dance -_-!
Irish dancing was born from the rituals and folk dances of the celts and druids. Irish dancing was also influenced by the Norman culture when they invaded and settled in Ireland in the 12th century. It was around the 18th century that Irish dance became more formalised and it was common for a dance master to travel from town to town holding lessons for peasants.
When the Gaelic League was developed in 1893 to promote Irish Culture formal competitions, lessons, and rules for Irish dancing were developed. With the creation of the Irish Dancing Commission in 1930, the genre evolved into the style we see danced today
Irish dance is popularly known for the restriction of arm and upper body movement whilst employing quick precise footwork with steps such as cuts, overs, lifts, and sevens. Irish dance is commonly called a step dance because when you put enough of these steps together you get a ‘step dance’ or ‘sean nos’.
Two other common Irish dances are set routine and social or ceili. Based on the French Quadrille, or couples dancing in squares, Ceili dances can get quite complicated with different step patterns being danced whilst swapping sides or partners.
Irish dance is also compared to tap and ballet pointe dance. This is because Irish dancers learn to dance on their toes in fibreglass-covered hard shoes or heavies. The fibreglass helps to create that familiar tapping sound that Irish dancers make with their feet.
Irish dance is generally taught at a school that specialises only in that genre. Teaching is fairly regulated with global rules such as no pointe work for under 12’s being followed in competition and exam work. That being said step vocabulary can differ from region to region especially as the style evolves.
Here’s where the Irish dance comes from and more!
Irish dance, with roots in ancient Celtic traditions and pagan rituals, evolved over centuries, influenced by travelling dance masters and European folk dances, becoming a significant part of Irish culture and nationalist movements.
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Ancient Roots:
The origins of Irish dance are believed to be rooted in ancient Celtic and pagan rituals, with some evidence suggesting circular dances around sacred trees performed by the Druids.
The Celts also had their own folk dances, and some scholars believe that these early forms of dance influenced the development of modern Irish dance.
One of the first documented references to dancing by Irish people is from 1413, when the Mayor of Waterford visited Baltimore, County Cork, and people gathered to put on performances, including singing and dancing.
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Influence of Travelling Dance Masters:
In the 17th and 18th centuries, travelling dance masters played a crucial role in the development and spread of Irish dance.
These masters would travel throughout Ireland, teaching local people the techniques and styles of dance, contributing to the development of regional variations.
The rise of Irish traditional music also coincided with the rise of these dance masters, and the two cultural expressions became intertwined.
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European Influences:
Irish dance was also influenced by European folk dances, such as the Quadrille, which was a popular square dance in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Quadrille, with its set formations and sequences, is thought to have influenced the development of Irish reels and other dance forms.
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Modern Irish Dance:
The Gaelic League, founded in 1893, played a significant role in the revival and promotion of Irish culture, including Irish dance.
The Gaelic League organised formal competitions and rules for Irish dancing, which later evolved into the Irish Dancing Commission in 1930.
The establishment of these organisations helped to standardise and formalise Irish dance, leading to the development of the modern Irish dance competitions and styles we see today.
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Key Features of Irish Dance:
Irish dance is characterised by its fast-paced, intricate footwork and the dancers’ upright posture with arms held stiffly at their sides.
The music that accompanies Irish dance is typically lively and upbeat, with a strong rhythmic pulse.
Irish dance is performed both solo and in groups, and it is a popular form of social, competitive, and performance art.
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Irish Dance Today:
Irish dance continues to be a vibrant part of Irish culture, with numerous schools and competitions around the world.
The sport has also seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with the rise of stage shows like “River-dance” and “Lord of the Dance”.
- Irish dance continues to evolve, with new styles and techniques emerging while still honouring its rich and diverse history.
heres a vid:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5e9MWfsnI4
click the link to watch it!