Irish Dancing

By Breaugh

History

shifting of population and invasions influenced dances

they preferred specific types of music

religious rituals started by the Druids

honored the oak tree and the sun

circular dances survive in the ring dances of today

Sixteen Century Dances

the Irish hey the Rinnce Fada long dance Trenchmore Irish Jigs

Kinds of Dance Today

the soft shoe dance hard shoe dance horn pipe group dances

The Dance Master• wandering dance teacher• appeared during the eighteenth

century• flamboyant characters• brightly dressed• carried staffs• standard of dancers – very high• doors taken off and placed on the

ground for soloist to dance on• stayed in his own district – never

went on another Master’s territory• when Master’s met at fairs – they

challenged each other to public contests

Costumes

each school had it’s own dance costume based on the Irish peasant dress worn 200 years ago hand embroidered Celtic designs Tara brooch holds cape which falls over the back men wear plain kilt and jacket The world championships are held in Dublin at Easter each year

Fast Facts

The Green School of Irish dancing

The ceili is a gathering of neighbors to dance , play music and tell stories

References

• http://www.google.ca/

• http://www.irelandseye.com/aarticles/history/index.shtm

• http://www.celticdanceshop.co.uk/